Laryngitis in a child treatment. Still mineral water

  • Date: 30.03.2019

Today we'll talk about childhood disease laryngitis. Well, let's get started ...

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx that accompanies a cold. It looks like tracheitis, so laryngotracheitis is also distinguished. The condition is aggravated by barking coughs and troubled breathing. On the Internet, you can see a photo of a sore throat to visualize the problem. This disease mainly worries children under 3 years of age. This is due physiological characteristics the child's body. Parents are often taken by surprise by such a diagnosis: they do not know what laryngitis is, how to cure laryngitis in a child and what provokes it.

Laryngitis forms

  • Acute laryngitis manifests itself suddenly and abruptly: the throat begins to burn, it becomes painful to swallow, a convulsive cough begins and the voice sits down. The vocal cords become red and swollen. In an acute condition, stenosing laryngitis can also develop, which passes in 4 stages - from short-term breathing difficulties to asphyxia.
  • Chronic laryngitis develops slowly and manifests itself as problems with the throat and vocal cords and an ongoing urge to cough. This condition can occur after several acute laryngitis. In adults, chronic laryngitis is occupational disease... Teachers, singers, and those whose work requires constant talk are prone to it.


Causes of children's laryngitis

  • Viruses. Children are especially susceptible to laryngitis, often suffering from diseases of the ENT organs. It is with the viral and infectious nature of the disease that an antibiotic is used.
  • Allergens. Dust, strong odors, certain foods, pet hair can provoke allergic laryngitis in children.
  • Puffiness. Some children have a congenital feature - looseness of the mucous vocal cords and a tendency to swelling of tissues. In such cases, recurrent laryngitis appears.
  • Immaturity of the central nervous system and lack of stress resistance. Due to imperfect nervous system psychoemotional shocks often occur in children. Severe excitement and any stress can lead to a spasm in the throat.
  • Using a throat and nose spray. Drug treatment back wall throat can provoke a spasm of the vocal cords, and as a result - an attack of laryngitis.

Manifestation of laryngitis

In young children, the mucous surface of the vocal cords is characterized by a loose structure and easily swells under the influence of viruses, allergens and other reasons. As a result, the glottis narrows and the air that passes through it creates vibrations. At the same time, the voice is hoarse, the cough turns into barking. Breathing is hampered by swelling and spasm of the vocal cords.


Symptoms of childhood laryngitis

  • The voice sounds hoarse and trembles.
  • There is a special barking cough on exhalation. When inhaling, the child sits, because the air enters the lungs is problematic.
  • The peak of laryngitis is at 4 am. At this time, breathing is especially difficult. The condition worsens sharply.
  • In the upper zones of the respiratory system, wheezing is heard. You can even feel them with your hand. There are no wheezing in the lungs.
  • The temperature with laryngitis can suddenly rise to 38–39 ° C.

Other signs include shallow breathing, nervous excitement, and cyanosis near the mouth.

Is laryngitis contagious in children?

Laryngitis - individual reaction a child for allergens, medications or physiological swelling of the throat. Therefore, this state is not transmitted in any way. But if it is viral laryngitis, then it is contagious. True, such a disease manifests itself in a different way.


Children's laryngitis: first aid

If you have a choking cough, calm your child down first. At home, you can give him a breath of steam. A baby under the age of one year can be held over hot water... If the child is, for example, 2 years old, then it is recommended to him to do inhalation with drugs that facilitate breathing (Berodual, Pulmicort ). Foot baths will also be effective. However, avoid hot drinks.

Treatment of laryngitis in children

Do not treat the child yourself - this is the main rule. Be sure to consult your pediatrician. After all, the treatment of laryngitis depends on the age and severity of the disease.

  • 1st degree of severity. With such mild form hospitalization is not required. Effective treatment this stage is inhalation. With the help of a nebulizer, they are sprayed medicinal solutions that do not irritate the upper respiratory tract and do not provoke a new spasm. Non-carbonated is suitable for inhalation. mineral water, prednisolone, eufilin. The temperature is brought down with antipyretic syrup. Infectious laryngitis is treated with antibiotics. With laryngitis, it is important to stick to a diet - remove smoked, fried, salty foods and dishes from the diet. If laryngitis is allergic, exclude the factors that provoke it. Ventilate the area regularly and do essential cleaning. Is it possible to walk with the 1st degree of severity? Famous children's doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky advises walking in the fresh air, which will make breathing easier.
  • 2nd and 3rd degree of severity. Required hospital treatment where inhalations, antipyretic and antibacterial therapy are carried out, droppers with decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are placed.
  • 4th degree of severity. In the most severe form of laryngitis, spasm of the larynx, complete closure of the throat gap and respiratory arrest are possible. The child is urgently hospitalized in intensive care, a tracheostomy is installed to resume breathing.


Prevention of laryngitis in children

  • Elimination of allergens;
  • Elimination of chronic sources of infection (tonsillitis, adenoiditis, caries);
  • Use of immunostimulants;
  • Hardening and healthy image life.

Correct therapy and adequate prevention will ensure that, as the child ages, the propensity for this disease and will be completely healthy.

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Infectious diseases respiratory tract, including laryngitis, in one year old child the phenomenon is quite common. This is due to the fact that the immune system in this group of patients is poorly developed, it cannot to the fullest resist pathogenic microorganisms. Laryngitis in childhood proceeds difficult, entails serious complications. Therefore, it is impossible to treat this pathology on your own; having found the first symptoms, you should immediately seek help.

Laryngitis is a disease, predominantly of an infectious nature, in which the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords are involved in the process. Non-infectious factors, for example, an allergen, can also provoke pathology.

Among pathogenic microorganisms, contributing to the development of laryngitis in children, secrete viruses, bacteria and fungi. Most of it develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, flu, tonsillitis. According to statistics, pathology is more common in children in the first three years of life. At the same time, in infants up to 6 months of age, pathology is rarely diagnosed, since antibodies received from the mother during intrauterine development are still present in their bodies.

Factors that contribute to frequent laryngitis include:

  • weak protective function of the body;
  • underdevelopment of the respiratory system;
  • unfavorable living conditions;
  • poor nutrition;
  • the presence of concomitant diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems;
  • hypothermia;
  • overheat.

Parents can easily suspect a pathology. You don't need to have specialized skills to do this. The first step is changes in behavior. Children become moody, irritable, drowsy, refuse to eat, sweating increases.

This is followed by the appearance of symptoms specific to laryngitis, namely:

  • an increase in body temperature to febrile levels;
  • sore throat;
  • unproductive cough;
  • change the timbre of the voice.

Immediately, the child coughs periodically, unproductively. You may get the impression that something is in his throat. Then appears main symptom, indicating laryngitis, this is the so-called "barking" cough, shortness of breath. Frequent attacks that do not bring relief, appear mainly during sleep. Breathing is hard, during inhalation and exhalation, a typical whistle is heard even from a distance. These signs arise due to the fact that the inflammatory process causes swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords. As a result, the lumen in the organ is significantly narrowed, normal air exchange is hampered.

The consequence of the condition is respiratory distress and oxygen starvation.

After several days from the onset of the disease, sputum forms and begins to flow, the normal evacuation of which is also hampered by the narrowing of the larynx.

According to the specifics of the course of laryngitis, viral and bacterial etiology are different. If the pathology is provoked by viruses, it is characterized by an acute onset. The temperature rises sharply to 39 degrees and above, a runny nose appears, the tonsils turn red and hypertrophy, symptoms typical of laryngitis appear. This condition lasts for about three days, then, with adequate treatment, the condition improves.

Bacterial laryngitis in children as independent disease rarely develops. It often manifests itself as a complication of a respiratory viral infection. In such cases, bacteria join the already formed inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, and a typical pathogen develops. clinical picture... This laryngitis is not characterized by an acute onset. Symptoms gradually increase and the condition worsens.

The body cannot cope with pathogenic microbes on its own, it is necessary antibiotic therapy... If help is not provided, it is fraught with serious consequences.

When the first symptoms appear, indicating a pathology of the larynx, you should not hesitate to seek help. Only a doctor will be able to determine the causative agent of the disease and tell you how to treat laryngitis in a particular case. In the absence of adequate therapy, laryngospasm develops, the consequences of which are unpredictable, especially in childhood.

How to properly treat laryngitis in a one-year-old child

At the first symptoms that raise suspicion of laryngitis, the child should be shown to the doctor. Only after the examination is assigned drug treatment... It is impossible to cope with the pathology with drugs alone; parents must provide the most comfortable conditions.

The first, and perhaps most important, is the drinking regimen. The child should drink a lot of liquid warmed up to body temperature. It is recommended to give more alkaline water, like Borjomi, it not only saturates the body with moisture, but also relieves irritation in the throat. If this is a baby, then the frequency of feedings should be increased.

Laryngitis is often accompanied by a temperature, in this state, the body requires more moisture. If it is not enough, dehydration begins, due to which the blood thickens, it circulates more slowly, and the quality of nutritional function deteriorates. In addition, dehydration is characterized by reactive tissue edema. This is fraught with the fact that the already inflamed mucous membrane of the larynx hypertrophies even more, thereby increasing the symptoms of obstruction. Children are most susceptible to this complication, it should not be allowed to develop.

The second thing to do is to create optimal conditions in the room where the mother and baby are. Air temperature, humidity and cleanliness play a large role in the patient's well-being. If the room is hot, dry, dirty, the frequency of attacks will increase. The room must be ventilated, regardless of the season.

In addition, all are removed. possible allergens and flavors. With laryngitis, it is recommended to maximize the rest of the vocal cords. If the child is crying, he or she should be reassured as soon as possible.

Nutrition also plays an important role. The diet should include as many foods as possible containing vitamins. Eliminate spicy, fried, tough foods.

Doing these simple yet very important rules, will significantly improve the condition, accelerate the healing process.

Effective drug treatment

Laryngitis in a child is a disease in which one cannot hesitate to visit a doctor. Failure to provide assistance has serious, life-threatening consequences. After inspection and diagnostic activities, the doctor will prescribe an effective drug treatment.

Timely and correct therapy for acute laryngitis is important stage... If the pathology at an early stage is not given due attention, the development of false croup or the spread of the infection down the respiratory tract is possible.

The main treatment for the acute phase is etiotropic therapy. It is aimed at eliminating the root cause of the pathology. If the disease is provoked by viruses, they are prescribed antiviral drugs... For bacterial lesions - antibiotics, mainly of the cephalosporin and amoxicillin series. Without specific treatment it is impossible to get rid of the inflammatory process in the larynx; you can only alleviate the symptoms.

Auxiliary therapy for laryngitis is aimed at eliminating the unpleasant signs that the infection provoked. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:

  • Anti-inflammatory. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are predominantly prescribed. In addition to inhibiting the activity of the inflammatory process, they have antipyretic properties (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol).
  • Antihistamines. They relieve swelling from the inflamed tissues of the larynx, thereby ensuring free breathing and drainage of mucus (Eden, Zodak).
  • Mucolytics. They dilute the accumulated phlegm, facilitate its evacuation (Lazolvan, Ambroxol).
  • Antitussives. Reduce irritation of the laryngeal mucosa, thereby reducing the number of coughing fits. (Sinekod, Gebion plantain).
  • Immunostimulants. Restore the protective functions of the body, accelerating the healing process (Anaferon).

The dosage and form of the drug is prescribed by the doctor. It is forbidden to treat on your own, since in children of the first years of life, the structure of the respiratory system has its own anatomical features. Uncontrolled reception funds will lead to deterioration.

First aid for false croup

False croup with laryngitis develops due to severe swelling of the larynx and vocal cords, muscle spasm. The child is worried about a strong suffocating, paroxysmal barking cough. The child cannot freely inhale and exhale air, respiratory failure develops. By outward signs pallor is noted skin, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, strong crying, which only intensifies the attack.

The first thing parents should do:

  • take the baby in your arms, calm it down, keep it upright;
  • open the window, give fresh air access;
  • drink warm water, better alkaline, you can milk with soda;
  • try to distract the child as much as possible;
  • gently press down on the root of the tongue with a spoon.

If this does not help, and the child continues to suffocate, resort to medication... With laryngospasm in children, inhalation with Pulmicort is prescribed. it hormonal drug, which locally removes edema from the inflamed tissues of the larynx. Also used as first aid antihistamines in the form of syrups. In addition, inhalations with saline are prescribed or mineral water Borjomi, they will relieve the sensation of irritation in the throat.

You cannot prescribe these drugs on your own, only with the permission of a doctor. At the first symptoms indicating a false croup, you need to immediately call an ambulance. Untimely or improper provision of assistance can be fatal.

Nebulizer inhalation and steam

The inhalation method of administration of drugs for laryngitis helps to quickly stop symptoms, minimize side effects associated with taking drugs orally. Only a doctor should prescribe treatment.

Inhalation requires the implementation of several rules:

  • you cannot feed the child an hour before and after the procedure;
  • it is not allowed to go out into the cold after inhalation;
  • after the child has breathed the medicine, it is advisable to provide physical rest;
  • it is forbidden to carry out manipulation at high temperatures.

Almost all groups can be used as preparations for inhalation. medicines, but only after consulting a doctor. With the help of a nebulizer, they take:

  • antibiotics (Fluimucil antibiotic, Gentamicin);
  • immunostimulants (Interferon);
  • hormones (Pulmicort, Flexotide, Dexamethasone);
  • mucolytics (Lazolvan);
  • bronchodilators (Berodual, Ventolin);
  • antihistamines (Cromohexal);
  • saline;
  • mineral alkaline water.

When inhaled, the drug is delivered directly to the focus of inflammation, bypassing gastrointestinal tract and the bloodstream, which significantly accelerates the onset of the therapeutic effect and reduces side effects. The dosage is prescribed only by a doctor, the slightest non-observance of the proportion entails serious complications.

I would like to note that it is forbidden to use pure preparations in a nebulizer. They are divorced with saline in a ratio of 1: 1 or more. You can not use boiled or distilled water as a solvent, they will provoke pulmonary edema.

As for steam inhalation for laryngitis in a one-year-old child, it is better to avoid such procedures, or use only with the permission of a doctor. A strong flow of steam can provoke a severe attack of suffocation in a child. Another side effect of heat inhalation is the risk of developing a burn of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

Decoctions are used for steam inhalation. medicinal herbs such as chamomile, St. John's wort, special breast fees. In order to remove the symptom of irritation, inhale the vapors of the soda solution. It is better not to use conifer oils in young children, they are aggressive and often cause allergies.

All solutions must be cooled to a temperature of 80 degrees before serving to the child. During the procedure, you cannot leave the child unattended, so that the baby does not overturn the boiling water on himself.

Laryngitis diagnostics

When contacting medical institution the doctor first examines the child and takes an anamnesis. After that, the patient is sent for additional diagnostic tests which include:

  • laryngoscopy;
  • clinical studies of blood and urine;
  • swab from the throat and nose.

Only after full examination you can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Complications of the disease

If we talk about the complications that laryngitis in a child can entail, the first thing I want to note is a false croup. This condition is not a separate disease. This is a symptom indicating swelling of the laryngeal mucosa. Failure to provide help with it leads to suffocation. At the first sign it is necessary to call an ambulance.

Due to the fact that the pathology is not given due attention or the treatment is not prescribed correctly, the infection will spread down the respiratory tract, causing bronchitis and pneumonia.

To prevent this from happening with a one-year-old child, at the first symptoms, you need to call a doctor at home, or go to the hospital yourself.

Preventive measures

To Small child did not get sick with laryngitis, his immune system should be actively strengthened. One-year-old children have a condition protective function organism directly depends on the responsibility of the parents.

For immunity to be strong, parents must ensure:

  • proper and balanced nutrition;
  • walks in the fresh air for at least 2 hours a day, regardless of the time of year, the only condition is that clothes must correspond to the weather;
  • control of temperature, cleanliness, moisture in the room;
  • regular airing of the room.

By doing simple rules, parents will help to strengthen the child's still not fully formed immune system, so that he never experiences the manifestations of laryngitis. If the disease has already overtaken, the effectiveness of treatment directly depends on the timeliness of seeking help.

In contact with

classmates

Laryngitis in a child is inflammatory disease larynx, in which the pathological process affects the vocal cords and mucous membranes. An adult can quickly cure the disease at home.

When treating infants and children under three years of age, any self-medication is strictly contraindicated, and if symptoms are found, you should immediately call a doctor at home.

In the presence of other diseases of infectious etiology, urgent hospitalization is required.

Inflammatory process in infants is often occurs against the background of reduced immunity as a result of infection... Any allergens can provoke the disease:

  • animal hair,
  • household chemicals,
  • synthetic clothing,
  • mixture for feeding,
  • dust,
  • cosmetic odors.

The nervous system at this age is very unstable, laryngitis can begin as a result of severe fright.

The younger the baby, the more severe the disease progresses. It's connected with features of the structure of the respiratory tract- they are quite narrow, the microflora is not formed, the mucous membrane is loose, the immune system is rather weak.

Carefully! It is very important to monitor the movements of the baby, since the development of laryngitis can provoke the presence of foreign body in the mouth.

Laryngitis develops easily against the background of untreated rhinitis... The larynx in young children can also become inflamed as a result mechanical irritation with loud screaming, crying, etc.

Medications

Self-medication for children younger age excluded... How to treat a baby and adequate therapy can only be prescribed by a pediatrician or infectious disease specialist. Any warming up, overlays, rubbing with ointments, fats are contraindicated.

Folk recipes, especially when treating babies under one year old, are prohibited. Also when treating children under 3 years old it is not recommended to use preparations in the form of an aerosol unless otherwise recommended by the attending physician.

Drug therapy includes taking the following groups of drugs:

  • antihistamines- have decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties, the effectiveness increases when used at night (Suprastin, Cetrin, Claritin);
  • antitussives and expectorants(Herbion, Stoptussin phyto), with wet cough(Alteika, Thermopsis), sprays Lugol, Miramistin, Stopangin;
  • antipyretic- (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen).

Antibiotics assigned in the following cases:

  • bacterial inflammation revealed after diagnosis;
  • intoxication of the body.

Sometimes antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor for reinsurance, in order to avoid consequences (as a rule, in a hospital setting, antibiotics are prescribed in 90% of cases).

Laryngitis has a bacterial nature in rare cases, more often the pathogen is of a viral nature... In the latter case antibacterial drugs are not used. With the fungal form, antimycotic drugs are prescribed.

Antibiotics that may be prescribed to treat laryngitis are as follows:

  • penicillins(Flemoklav, Augmentin);
  • cephalosporins in the form of syrups (Cefadox, Suprax), in injectable form (Fortum);
  • azithromycin- at severe course diseases (Sumamed, Azitrox) and other macrolides (Macropen).

In the treatment of laryngitis in children, inhalers can be used; nebulizers are recommended for the administration of drugs. Their use in infants, as well as from one year old, must be previously agreed with the doctor.

At home

If there is no need for hospitalization, treatment at home under the supervision of a pediatrician is allowed.

At outpatient treatment must be respected following rules:

  • frequent ventilation- to avoid spreading pathogenic bacteria around the room;
  • air humidification- in the heat, the mucous membrane of the nose and larynx is overdried, which simplifies the penetration and spread of microorganisms, it is recommended to install air humidifiers, aquariums, fountains in the room;
  • a lot of warm liquids- compotes, weak teas, fruit drinks, milk with butter and borjomi will help to alleviate the condition;
  • ensuring the correct position- the upper part of the body should be in an elevated state, pillows placed under the back help to facilitate breathing;
  • diet food- products that irritate the mucous membrane of the larynx are excluded (fried foods, citrus fruits, sausage), preference should be given to mashed dishes;
  • voice peace- it is recommended to be silent, if necessary, speak in a low voice, as whispering puts stress on the ligaments.

The kid needs to be carried away with reading as much as possible., quiet games and other activities, as this will help to forget about the cough. Small children easily switch and get distracted, so you should not neglect this method of relieving the baby's condition.

For treatment up to 3 years, it is allowed to use rinses with:

  • honey
  • sea ​​salt
  • aloe and beet juice.

Carrot juice with honey works well: during the day, the baby should drink 1/3 tbsp. As a drink, you can use warm milk with the addition of honey, borjomi diluted in equal proportions with milk. Any proposed drink should be liked by the baby - this way he will recover faster.

First aid

For attacks of stenosing laryngitis, call a doctor... Before his arrival, you should take following measures:

  • to raise upper part bodies of the crumbs, put pillows;
  • reassure the child so that he does not scream;
  • open the window, take off tight clothes;
  • give a liquid (water, herbal decoction);
  • ensure the humidity in the room is not lower than 50%, the temperature is not more than 18-20 degrees;
  • if the child is sweating, change clothes immediately.

Carefully! At false croup the baby should be constantly supervised by adults, as the condition can deteriorate rapidly.

Parents should be aware that the child should breathe only through the nose, as when passing through the nasal passages, the air is purified. If you breathe through your mouth, the entire load falls on the larynx.

Important! Since almost all babies sooner or later endure laryngitis, the child should form the habits of breathing through the nose and drinking water or other liquid in sufficient quantities in advance.

Frequent alkaline drinking will help improve the condition. Foot baths (as a distracting procedure) are allowed in the absence of temperature, which will make the child's condition more comfortable.

Treatment of children of different ages

In addition to drugs, therapy as prescribed by a doctor at any age includes inhalation with:

  • saline
  • interferon,
  • Lazolvan,
  • Sinupret.

Physiotherapy treatment is indicated for chronic forms. Its action is aimed at:

For these purposes, the following are used:

  • quartzing,
  • darsonval,
  • electrophoresis.

All of these techniques can be performed from birth if the child has no contraindications to them.

In newborns

As a rule, with laryngitis in a baby up to 4 weeks old, the doctor sends the child to inpatient treatment. On initial stages inhalations are used, in the presence of alarming symptoms, it is prescribed injection treatment and droppers.

At intensive care and improvements for 5-7 days, the baby and mother can be discharged. Hospitalization terms are extended in case of severe illness and complications.

Indicative drug treatment newborn with dosage:

  • Fluimucil solution - 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight;
  • Gedelix syrup - 2.5 ml 2 r. in a day;

For babies and one-year-olds

Treatment is also carried out in a stationary setting, the main difference is in dosages.

  • Fluimucil solution - 100 mg 2 r. in a day;
  • syrup Bromhexine - 2 mg 3 r. in a day;
  • Ambrobene syrup - 2.5 ml 2 r. in a day;
  • Licorice syrup (diluted in 0.1 ml of water) - 1-2 K. 3 r. in a day.

Therapy in young children is aimed at preventing the development of complications and / or the addition of another infection. If the district pediatrician has no reason to assume the development of a negative scenario for the development of the disease, home treatment may also be recommended.

At 1 year up to 2-3 years

Children aged 2 years and older can already explain what worries them, talk about the symptoms. Therefore, their treatment is less preventive than babies 4-8 months old, and more symptomatic.

However, if the episode of laryngitis is the first in life (especially stenosing), the doctor may recommend going to the hospital.

Medication with dosage:

  • Fluimucil solution - 200 mg 2 r. in a day;
  • syrup Bromhexine - 4 mg 3 r. in a day;
  • Ambrobene syrup - 2.5 ml 3 r. in a day;
  • Gedelix syrup - 2.5 ml 2-3 r. in a day;
  • syrup Doctor MOM - 2.5 ml 3 r. in a day;
  • Licorice syrup (diluted in 0.1 ml of water) - 2-10 drops. 3 p. in a day.

Conclusion

  1. Young children are usually treated in a hospital in-patient department. However, in order to avoid the addition of nosocomial infections with a mild course of laryngitis, the doctor may recommend home treatment.
  2. The symptomatology of the disease determines the tactics of treatment. If the bacterial origin of laryngitis is proven, antibiotics are prescribed.

In contact with

Laryngitis in children is an inflammatory process of the larynx, in which its edema occurs almost immediately. Laryngitis is most dangerous for newborn babies and for children under three years of age, because the course of the disease is accompanied by insufficient intake of air into respiratory system... This can become a choking hazard if the parents do not provide prompt hospitalization.

Due to the fact that children have a slightly different structure of the larynx than adults, the symptoms, course and treatment of the disease are significantly different. The younger the child, the greater the risk of harm to health. There is a possibility that the disease may recur, especially if babies are often exposed to colds. Secondary exacerbation can occur between the ages of four and eight years. But as the child grows older, the health hazard will gradually decrease.

In children, laryngitis rarely occurs on its own. More often, it can be accompanied by diseases such as or. Doctors note that often the first signs of illness are expressed at night, so parents should closely monitor the child's condition during sleep, especially on early dates his life. This disease is easy to diagnose, since at the age of three years, laryngitis is practically the only disease of the respiratory tract.

Etiology

The causes of laryngitis in infants and young children are currently not completely clear, since each organism is individual and undergoes various disease-causing processes. The appearance of laryngitis is most often due to a combination of several reasons, including:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • frequent colds;
  • weak immunity;
  • allergy to substances or materials that the child inhales or comes into contact with;
  • exposure of a fragile body to prolonged exposure to the cold;
  • abnormal structure of the larynx and nasopharynx;
  • prolonged tension in the larynx due to loud screaming or singing;
  • air composition. If it consists of a large accumulation of gases, dust, tobacco smoke, and at the same time does not contain moisture for everyone, then this is a favorable background for the onset of the disease;
  • the penetration of foreign objects into the airways;
  • the effects of medications. When using medicated sprays, parents need to be especially careful and careful. Do not apply a strong stream that can harm the vocal cords, because a small body can respond to such treatment in self-defense, thinking that foreign objects are entering the body;
  • a strong emotional outburst can also cause spasms of the ligaments;
  • viral microorganisms.

Varieties

Like most diseases, laryngitis in a child exists in several forms:

  • acute - arising from the impact of the above reasons;
  • chronic - appearing as a result of improper or incomplete treatment acute form ailment.

By the presence of consequences for the body:

  • proceeding without complications (if you quickly and promptly start treatment for early stages);
  • complicated - may develop due to incompetent treatment or an advanced form.

Laryngitis in infants and children also happens:

  • catarrhal - expressed by slight discomfort in the throat, rare cough, slight hoarseness. It is the mildest type of inflammation of the larynx;
  • hypertrophic - the appearance of neoplasms on the vocal cords is characteristic, which must be removed, and also noticeably increases in the size of the larynx;
  • atrophic - in which the laryngeal mucosa becomes thinner;
  • hemorrhagic - when hemorrhage occurs in the mucous membrane of the larynx, touching its ligaments. Children experience this process as foreign object in the throat;
  • diphtheria - inflammation of the larynx and tonsils;
  • stenosing - the disease spreads to the trachea;
  • phlegmonous - in which painful sensations are felt in the lymph nodes.

Symptoms

Laryngitis progression is observed several days after infectious disease... Signs of illness often appear unexpectedly. A child may have the following symptoms:

  • runny nose;
  • changing the pitch of the voice;
  • slight hoarseness;
  • cough without sputum. There is an increase in its frequency in the morning or at night;
  • loss of appetite due to severe pain while swallowing;
  • frequent, or, conversely, difficult breathing;
  • swelling and redness of the throat;
  • dryness oral cavity;
  • headache;
  • cardiopalmus;
  • weakness of the body;
  • whistling and wheezing when inhaling air;
  • increased body temperature.

Complications

The consequences of the course of the disease can cause serious harm to the health of the child (especially if laryngitis develops in the baby). One of the most common complications of the disease is the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

Other complications include:

  • narrowing of the larynx, which makes it difficult to inhale air, which can lead to choking. In this case, the baby should be hospitalized immediately;
  • allergic laryngitis;
  • purulent manifestation of this disease, which can cause inflammation of the neck tissues and chest;
  • in which the virus spreads throughout the body with the blood stream;
  • storage of pus in the lungs, which can lead to.

Diagnostics

It is not difficult for a pediatric otolaryngologist to determine the diagnosis - he has enough of the information provided by the parents, and the examination of the little patient, during which the doctor conducts:

  • examination of the pharynx with a special light;
  • examination of the ear canals;
  • study of the nasal cavity;
  • probing the lymph nodes.

In order to determine the causes of the disease, a sample of fluid from the nose is taken from the child, and sometimes it may be required. If during the course of the disease there are changes in the voice, then they additionally consult a phonopedist and speech therapist.

In addition, during the diagnosis, it is necessary to check for the presence of foreign objects in the child's larynx, an allergic effect on the organ, and also exclude diphtheria.

Treatment

Treatment of laryngitis in children under two years of age should take place under the full supervision of a doctor, in a stationary setting. The main therapy is aimed at eliminating the disease that caused the disease. For this, the child is prescribed anti-inflammatory and spasm-reducing drugs, as well as antibiotics.

To relieve inflammation in the throat, a remedy based on plant dry extract and essential oil Sage lozenges from Natur has proven itself well. Sage tablets for resorption from Natur product is a combined preparation containing a complex of biologically active substances (1). It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and expectorant effects, as well as astringent properties (1). Sage lozenges from Natur have a herbal composition with few side effects (1,2). Sage lozenges from Natur are produced in Europe in accordance with international production quality standards (1). THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. BEFORE USING IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSULT A SPECIALIST.

(1) instructions for medical use medicinal product Sage tablets for sucking.
(2) Allergic reactions- according to the instructions for medical use.

At the first symptoms of the disease, parents can independently help the child. To do this, you need to try to humidify the air in the room in some way, and if this is not possible, resort to the help of mustard plasters or warm foot baths. Good remedy will be the use of a special children's home inhaler, which will warm the child's throat and vocal cords.

It is a mistake to believe that any ailments of the throat can be treated with warm milk and honey. But in no case should you do this, as these foods can aggravate the manifestation of symptoms. Also, do not treat children under one year old with different herbal decoctions or tinctures. It is important that the parents are always there, so the baby will calm down and feel protected.

At more severe stages of the course of the disease, when the body temperature rises, asthma attacks occur, treatment is carried out only by a doctor, in stationary conditions. The child is prescribed antipyretic medications, inhalations and droppers.

If the disease was caused by an allergy, then in a hospital setting, the condition of the child is significantly improved, since there is no irritating source. But when you return to home conditions, the child becomes worse again. Parents tend to blame the doctors for this, arguing that they did not completely cure the child. The problem is that the pathogen is in the living area. Until the cause of the allergy is determined, they will return.

Sometimes surgical intervention may be required if there is a threat of respiratory arrest in the baby. To do this, he undergoes a tracheostomy - a special tube is inserted into the throat, with the help of which breathing is resumed. After the patient's condition returns to normal, the tube is removed and the child can breathe freely through the nose.

Prophylaxis

Preventive measures for laryngitis in children should be carried out by parents. You must follow these rules:

  • promptly treat any infectious or inflammatory processes in child's body;
  • monitor the humidity in the room where the child sleeps and plays;
  • constantly ventilate the house;
  • strengthen immunity by hardening;
  • find out in advance what the baby is allergic to, and limit it from such pathogens;
  • make sure that the vocal cords are not overstrained;
  • regularly take children, especially infants, to see a doctor for examination;
  • do not smoke in the presence of the child, and in the apartment where he lives.

Often, parents hear the diagnosis of laryngitis from pediatricians. However, practice shows that not every mother can imagine what it really is and why this ailment happens. But the correct approach to treatment directly depends on this. The famous doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky tells what the disease is and how to deal with it.



About the disease

Laryngitis in 99% of cases is a viral disease. Foreign agents, penetrating through the nasopharynx, move along it further and "settle" in the larynx, causing an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of this respiratory organ. You can often hear that this is a cold disease. This is not entirely true, says Komarovsky. Hypothermia indeed contributes to the development of laryngitis, but low temperatures alone cannot cause inflammation of the larynx. There must be a virus.


If the virus has entered the body, then it will be "helped" not only general hypothermia, but also the polluted air that the child breathes, breathing through the mouth (if, for example, the baby has a stuffy nose), as well as overstrain of the larynx and vocal cords (if the child was screaming, making noise, talking too loudly, etc.).

Sometimes the virus does not stop only at the defeat of the larynx and, during replication, spreads to part of the trachea. Then doctors talk about such an ailment as laryngotracheitis.


It is easier to recognize both diseases at home than a number of other respiratory diseases, since laryngitis and laryngotracheitis have characteristic symptoms that cannot be confused with anything. This is, for example, a dry barking cough. Komarovsky explains this by inflammation in the area of ​​the vocal cords, which prevents them from opening completely. The cough becomes rough, often a hoarseness of voice (up to the complete inability to speak) is characteristic of a child with laryngitis.

And now Dr. Komarovsky will tell us about children's laryngitis or croup in the next video.

The inflammation can be so severe that the lumen of the larynx is significantly reduced in size. This leads to breathing difficulties. Such a phenomenon in medical literature received the name "stenosis". Laryngitis, which is accompanied by difficulty breathing, cyanosis of the skin, general oxygen starvation, is called stenosing. Against the background of an infectious disease (most often it is ARVI), such an ailment can qualify as croup.

Parents should not be surprised that different specialists will write to the baby in medical card various diagnoses. One will indicate that the crumbs have laryngitis, the other will write that he has croup. Both doctors would be right. This is essentially the same disease, only expressed in varying degrees of severity.


Laryngitis, like most other human illnesses, can be acute or chronic. The first develops against the background of ARVI, the second - in the absence of the necessary therapy or not correct treatment acute form of the disease. The most dangerous is stenosing laryngitis, in which, in the absence of qualified medical care, respiratory arrest can occur, which is fatal for the child.

In its form, laryngitis is diffuse (covering the entire mucous membrane of the larynx) and localized. In the latter case, one of the parts of the larynx (epiglottis, vocal folds) becomes inflamed.

A child's croup may be false, and Dr. Komarovsky will tell you how to treat a child's croup.

With laryngitis, the child's condition will deteriorate gradually. The temperature can rise only a day or two after the appearance of a barking cough. Intense heat with this disease does not happen, the temperature is kept in the region of 37.0-37.7. After another day or two, a dry cough will begin to become productive, the phlegm will gradually recede. If you carefully follow all the doctor's prescriptions, average duration illness - about a week (most often - 7-10 days).


Treatment

Treatment of laryngitis should be aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation of the larynx. Otherwise, the root cause will remain, the symptoms will temporarily disappear, and this is a direct path to chronic form ailment. Evgeny Komarovsky recalls that this disease is viral, and therefore treating it with antibiotics is a real parental crime. Antimicrobial drugs cannot have any effect on viral agents.

About when and in what case antibiotics are needed, Dr. Komarovsky will tell in the next video, in which cases the use of antimicrobial drugs is permissible.

Often pediatricians prescribe antiviral drugs to children with laryngitis and laryngotracheitis (suppositories "Viferon", "Kipferon", immunoglobulin preparations). Komarovsky does not see any sense in them, since the clinical effectiveness antiviral agents to date, it has not been proven, and such appointments are only a measure taken by the doctor to "clear his own conscience." After all, few parents are able to calmly relate to what the pediatrician prescribes for the child ... fresh air and warm tea!


Homeopathic remedies they will not cause any harm to children, says Yevgeny Komarovsky, however, one should not expect any benefit from them. Only those people who sincerely and unconditionally believe in the possibility of such a healing can be cured with charged water with glucose particles, since it is in these situations that the placebo effect works.


If the temperature rises above 38.0 (which does not happen very often with laryngitis, but it can still happen), then Evgeny Komarovsky recommends that parents give the child "Paracetamol" or "Ibuprofen". Other antipyretic drugs should not be used.

The main factor contributing to the early recovery from laryngitis and laryngotracheitis is rest. For 5-6 days, the child should not talk, sing, shout, should refrain from active games, noisy companies... All foods that can cause additional irritation to an already inflamed larynx should be excluded from the baby's diet. We are talking about spices, seasonings, sour berries and fruits, cold drinks and ice cream, marinades and canned food, spicy and too sweet foods.


If a child has chronic laryngitis, then he will have to become a regular guest in the ENT doctor's office for a fairly long time. Such children are prescribed course therapy of physiotherapy, medicines and solutions for irrigating the larynx. In particularly difficult cases, it can even be assigned surgery... Fortunately, such a need arises extremely rarely - in one case for several hundred thousand children with laryngitis.


When to call an ambulance?

The answer to this question is simple: with stenosing laryngitis. If the child has difficulty breathing, an ambulance should be called. Children from 6 to 8 years old are usually at risk, it is they who most often develop croup. This form of the disease is characteristic of children suffering from exudative diathesis. Shortness of breath most often occurs in the middle of the night and is accompanied by heavy sweating, choking barking cough, pallor. It is difficult for the child to breathe. The attack usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.

There is no need to wait for the second one: it is too dangerous. After the first one, the baby should be delivered to the hospital as soon as possible.


  • According to Evgeny Komarovsky, favorable conditions for a speedy recovery are a maximum of fresh air and plenty of drink, which will not allow the mucous membranes to dry out, and the phlegm - to thicken and stagnate. For the same good purpose, in the house where the sick person is, it is necessary to monitor the temperature and humidity of the air. The temperature should not be higher than 20 degrees, and it is desirable to maintain the air humidity at the level of 50-70%.
  • If there is no special humidifier device, which is enough to turn on and set the desired parameters, then you can hang wet towels around the house, put basins of water.
  • Inhalation, about the benefits of which for laryngitis has been written a lot on the Internet, Komarovsky recommends doing only after consulting a doctor. In many cases, inhalation is contraindicated for this disease. If the attending physician is not against such procedures, then it should be remembered that no inhalation is done at the temperature, and for the treatment of laryngitis, parents should only use steam inhalers.
  • It is possible to rinse the throat, but it should be remembered that too frequent vibration movements, which are inevitable when rinsing, can additionally injure the larynx. Komarovsky advises to observe the measure.
  • Warming compresses on the throat for laryngitis should not be alcoholic, warns Evgeny Komarovsky. The best thing - dry heat which can be achieved by simply tying a woolen scarf around your neck.
  • The mode of activity of the child in the treatment of laryngitis should be as follows: onset of the disease - complete rest, the final stage of the disease, when it begins wet cough with sputum separation - more walking and movement. With stagnant sputum, you can give your child a vibration massage. For this, the baby should be put on the adult's lap so that his head and shoulders are one level below the priests and legs. With your fingertips they gently tap the bronchial area, and then ask the child to take vertical position and cough. This technique can be repeated up to 5-7 times during one session.
  • Prevention of laryngitis consists in the timely and correct treatment of inflammatory processes in the sinuses of the nose, in the ear. It is important to teach the child to speak softly, not to shout, because the correct voice mode will protect the delicate mucous membrane of the larynx from injury. During the period of seasonal increase in the incidence of influenza and ARVI, one should refrain from visiting crowded places, walk more often, take the child less to public transport and do not take it with you to supermarkets and markets. Systematic hardening and playing sports also significantly reduce the risk of developing laryngitis (even if the child "caught" a viral infection).


  • Laryngitis
  • Doctor Komarovsky
  • In babies