Caracterización clínica de laringitis obstructiva aguda en pacientes menores de 6 años atendidos en Hospital de niños Francisco Icaza Bustamante en el periodo 2019-2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Acute obstructive laryngitis, also known as croup, is a common disease in children that affects the upper airway, especially the larynx and trachea. It is characterized by inflammation of these structures, which can result in partial airway obstruction and cause shortness of breath. Severity can be assessed through certain scales, the one used in our study is the Taussig scale, which assesses several specific characteristics of the pathology, and which will also help us to know the patient's management. Objective: To clinically characterize patients under 6 years of age with acute obstructive laryngitis treated at the Hospital del Niño Francisco Icaza Bustamante in the period 2019-2022. Methodology: This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study focused on the clinical characterization of acute obstructive laryngitis in patients under 6 years of age at the Francisco Icaza Bustamante Hospital during the period 2019-2022. Results: In the context of a population-based study that included 69 patients, a higher incidence of acute obstructive laryngitis was observed in male infants compared to other demographic groups. This pathology showed a significantly higher prevalence during the winter season. In terms of clinical presentation, the most common symptoms reported by the children was shortness of breath, which led to a higher frequency of emergency department visits. However, using a specific assessment scale in our study, it was identified that the most commonly recorded severity was the mild laryngitis category. Conclusion: This study provides a more comprehensive view of acute obstructive laryngitis in children, with a focus on the epidemiology, seasonality, and severity of the disease. This knowledge can guide health care professionals in the early identification and appropriate management of this condition, thus contributing to improving the quality of care for children who suffer from it.