Características clínicas de la laringitis aguda (crup) en niños menores de 3 años hospitalizados.

Abstract

Acute laryngitis, or croup, is a common respiratory illness in childhood, primarily between six months and three years of age, characterized by inflammation of the upper airway, a dry, metallic cough, inspiratory stridor, and respiratory distress in more severe cases. Objective: Determine the clinical characteristics of acute laryngitis (CRUP) in children under 3 years of age hospitalized at the “Dr. Francisco de Icaza Bustamante” Children's Hospital. Methodological design: A quantitative, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Population: 243 children under 3 years of age hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute laryngitis in the pediatric service of the "Dr. Francisco Icaza Bustamante" Children's Hospital during 2024. Technique: Indirect observation. Instrument: Indirect observation matrix and Westley Croup Score. Results: The majority of children were between 12 and 23 months old (46%), with a mean age of 16.99 months, male (64%), and residing in urban areas (80%). Bronchiolitis was the most common respiratory condition (51%). Clinical manifestations included a dry, hacking cough (89%), inspiratory stridor (85%), and moderate dyspnea (49%). Laryngotracheitis was diagnosed in 78% of patients, and 52% presented with moderate severity. Treatment consisted of corticosteroids (95%), nebulized epinephrine (57%), and antipyretics or antibiotics (62%). Conclusion: Hospitalized croup was most prevalent during the second year of life and primarily presented with characteristic respiratory manifestations, with moderate severity according to the Westley Croup Score. Management was mainly based on pharmacological measures, and most patients did not require oxygen therapy.