BACTERIAL LARYNGOTRACHEITIS IN PEDIATRIC- PATIENTS

Six cases of bacterial laryngotracheitis were seen over a three-year p eriod in patients aged 23 months to 11 years 7 months. Evidence of sev ere infection with obstructive dyspnea worsening markedly during cough ing were the clinical features. Emergency rigid catheter endoscopy und er general halothane anesthesia in the operating room confirmed the di agnosis and ruled out epiglottitis and subglottic edematous laryngitis . The causative bacterial agent was identified in five of the six case s (Staphylococcus aureus : 2 ; Haemophilus influenzae : 2, Streptococc us pneumoniae : 1). Outcome was favorable in every case after endoscop ic relief of the obstruction followed by tracheal intubation, humidifi cation, frequent aspiration, antimicrobial therapy, and corticosteroid s. There were no severe complications such as asphyxia-induced cardior espiratory arrest, intrathoracic air leaks, or Staphylococcus toxic sh ock syndrome.