Tracheitis in pediatric patients.
Despite the advances that have been achieved in supportive pediatric intensive care, tracheitis remains a significant cause of reversible upper-airway obstruction in pediatric patients. This discussion highlights the epidemiology and clinical presentation of tracheitis in the twenty-first century and reviews diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The gold standard for therapy remains supportive airway management in conjunction with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Finally, the unique challenges of diagnosis and treatment of tracheitis in the technology dependent child with an existing artificial airway (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy) are addressed.
Graf
Jeanine
J
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Jgraf@bcm.tmc.edu
Stein
Fernando
F
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014139:Tracheostomy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents