Croup natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Croup Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Classification
Differentiating Croup from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Croup natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Croup natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Croup natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Croup natural history, complications and prognosis
Croup natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Croup natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Croup
Risk calculators and risk factors for Croup natural history, complications and prognosis

Complications

• Respiratory distress
• Respiratory arrest
• Epiglottitis
• Bacterial tracheitis
• Atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung)
• Dehydration

Prognosis

Viral croup is a self-limited disease, but can very rarely result in death from complete airway obstruction. Symptoms may last up to 7 days, but typically peak around the second day of illness. Rarely, croup can be complicated by (or confused with) an acute bacterial tracheitis, which is more dangerous.