Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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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
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The symptoms of acute laryngitis in children

First and foremost, the most typical symptom is hoarseness of voice, with accompanying symptoms varying depending on the severity of the laryngitis, and symptoms differ. Generally, mild cases may present with cough or fever; a few children might also have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. If there is laryngeal obstruction, some signs of hypoxia will appear, such as cyanosis, intermittent stridor, profuse sweating, the three-concavity sign, flaring of the nostrils, listlessness, and even some convulsive symptoms.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
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How to treat acute laryngitis in children

If acute laryngitis in children is caused by a viral infection, it generally involves symptomatic treatment. If there is a fever with a temperature exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears unwell, antipyretic treatment can be administered. For persistent coughing, appropriate cough suppressants can be used for relief. Additionally, for hoarseness and throat discomfort, nebulized inhalation can be applied as symptomatic treatment. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are certainly necessary to control the condition. If the acute laryngitis is caused by an injury, local symptomatic treatment can be applied to reduce the damage, followed by waiting for recovery.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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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
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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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
46sec home-news-image

Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

Acute laryngitis in children is a common illness, and most cases do not require hospitalization. They can be managed in the outpatient clinic with oral medication and nebulization. However, if laryngeal obstruction occurs, especially at the second degree or higher, hospitalization is necessary. Laryngeal obstruction is considered a pediatric emergency, which can quickly worsen, leading to difficulty breathing. Some cases may even require intubation or a tracheotomy as emergency procedures. Delayed medical attention or hospitalization could potentially be life-threatening. Therefore, depending on the severity of the child's condition, hospitalization may be required.