[Bacterial tracheitis in children].
BACKGROUND
Bacterial tracheitis is an uncommon, but serious cause of acute respiratory distress in children. The incidence is not known.


METHODS
The medical records of four children with bacterial tracheitis treated in our hospital are presented, and the literature reviewed to describe symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. A questionnaire was sent to all pediatric departments in Norway to assess the incidence of bacterial tracheitis and epiglotitis during the 1994-98 period.


RESULTS
The yearly incidence of bacterial tracheitis was estimated to 4 per 1,000,000 for children aged 0-15, and 8 per 1,000,000 for children aged 0-5. The incidence of epiglotitis was 1.0 per 1,000,000 for children 0-15 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial tracheitis is now more common than epiglotitis, and the diagnosis has to be considered in children presenting with acute illness and upper airway respiratory distress. The disease is characterised by marked purulent exudate and formation of pseudomembranes in the trachea. Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae type b are the predominant causes of bacterial tracheitis. Most patients require endotracheal intubation, with the highest frequency in the youngest children. Reported complications include cardiopulmonary arrest, toxic shock syndrome and pulmonary oedema. Appropriate treatment with antibiotics is essential.
Oymar
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Barneavdelingen Sentralsjukehuset i Rogaland, Stavanger.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
Bakteriell trakeitt hos barn.