Care of the school-age child with epiglottitis

Abstract

Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection which involves the soft tissues around the entrance to the larynx. Inflammation of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds causes obstruction of the upper airway. The onset and course of the infection is sudden and, unless the appropriate diagnosis and management is equally rapid, the outcome may be fatal. Indeed, before the advent of techniques to establish artificial airways, epiglottitis was commonly fatal. Because of the rapid obstructive process urgent treatment is vital and many hospitals have strict protocols for the management of children with upper airway obstruction to ensure that a senior anaesthetist is contacted in case urgent intubation is necessary.