Abstract
Background: Croup is a viral infection that effect larynx, trachea and/or bronchi and characterized by an acute onset of barking cough, hoarseness and stridor with or without dyspnea. In most of time it occurs as a result of parainfluenza virus. Over the last years, a lot of literatures have been published resolving important controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of viral croup. As a result reviewing the new literatures done in this field will help in providing a better outcome for the patients.
Objective: In this paper, we reviewed the recent published articles regarding Croup symptomology, differential, diagnosis and management.
Methods: A comprehensive search was done using biomedical databases; Medline, and PubMed, for studies concerned with assessment of Croup. Keywords used in our search through the databases were as; "Croup Symptomology", "Croup Diagnosis", and "Croup Management".
Conclusion: Croup is a viral infection that occur as a result of Parainfluenza virus type 1 in 75% of the cases, it mostly effect children between 6 month up to 3 years during late autumn, but also can effect children up to 15 years during any time of the year. Croup diagnosis is mainly clinically dependent. Croup present with of barky cough, hoarse voice, inspiratory stridor, and often low grade fever. All children with croup should be treated with corticosteroid and in case of severe croup epinephrine should be used due to its fast action in controlling the symptoms.