Can children with acute laryngitis eat?

Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

Updated on September 02, 2024

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Simple acute laryngitis generally allows for eating, unless there are accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms such as repeated vomiting. Additionally, if the laryngitis causes especially severe symptoms of laryngeal obstruction that prevent the swallowing of food, it is advisable to temporarily withhold feeding and wait for the condition to improve before resuming feeding. Therefore, in cases of acute laryngitis without complications, eating is necessary, but it is recommended to stick to a light diet that is easier for children to digest, making it more comfortable for them.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

54sec

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What causes acute laryngitis in children?

Pediatric acute laryngitis is generally considered to be an infection, with viral infections being most common, accounting for about 80% of cases. This includes respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and Coxsackievirus, all of which can cause acute laryngitis. Of course, there are also cases caused by bacterial infections, with gram-positive bacteria being more common. Additionally, special circumstances such as procedures, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, etc., can cause laryngeal injuries, or the ingestion of irritant food items might also damage the laryngeal tissues, subsequently leading to symptoms of laryngitis.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

51sec

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Do children with acute laryngitis have a fever?

Acute laryngitis may occur with or without fever. For children, acute laryngitis is primarily a local symptom, but because children generally do not have robust immune function, local infections can easily lead to systemic symptoms. Among systemic symptoms, acute laryngitis frequently manifests as fever, typically presenting as either mild or high fever. It is relatively rare to see extremely high fever. Therefore, it is usually recommended that if the fever exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears lethargic during the fever, oral administration or rectal insertion of ibuprofen suppositories or acetaminophen suppositories can be effective treatments.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

43sec

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Does acute laryngitis in children recur?

Acute laryngitis in children can recur, similar to tonsillitis. Some children may have inherently lower immune function in the larynx, or a relative defect, which makes them prone to inflammation in the larynx whenever there is an upper respiratory infection. Therefore, we generally inform parents that if the child has a history of laryngitis, they should be aware of this condition in the future, especially of sudden respiratory difficulty at night and hoarseness. It is important to pay attention as laryngitis tends to worsen at night, and if it occurs, we recommend seeking medical attention promptly.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

42sec

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Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

This issue, depending on the child’s clinical symptoms and signs, needs to be treated differently. If hospitalization is necessary, it generally manifests as poor spirits and signs of laryngeal obstruction. Or, if in the outpatient hospital treatment through oral and nebulized therapies are ineffective, hospital admission may be considered, especially with careful observation for progression of laryngeal obstruction. Some children may also have persistent high fever that does not subside, possibly leading to convulsions and dehydration. After admission, close monitoring of vital signs and management of complications can be provided.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

42sec

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What to do with acute laryngitis in children?

Acute laryngitis in children is considered a pediatric emergency, but the severity of laryngitis varies. Mild cases can be managed at home with symptomatic treatment, while severe cases should seek medical attention promptly. To distinguish whether to visit a hospital or manage at home, first observe the overall condition, including mental status, eating habits, and whether there is persistent or recurrent fever, cyanosis, or difficulty breathing. If these symptoms are present, visit the hospital promptly to receive symptomatic treatment and quickly address the inflammation of the larynx to alleviate the worsening of the disease.