Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Chances of rescuing children with acute laryngitis

Acute laryngitis in children is mostly caused by viral infections and is self-limiting. However, severe cases of laryngitis can progress to third or fourth degree laryngeal obstruction, which are serious conditions requiring urgent treatment, including intubation or tracheotomy, the use of strong antibiotics, and the application of corticosteroids. Generally speaking, unless it is particularly severe or treatment is sought very late, it is very difficult to administer emergency treatment. For the most part, acute laryngitis in children is relatively easy to control and recover from. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical attention early and receive timely and correct treatment to avoid missing the opportunity for emergency intervention, which could lead to lifelong regrets.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
47sec home-news-image

Can children with acute laryngitis eat?

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
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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.