Croup natural history, complications and prognosis

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

Croup Microchapters
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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
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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. Other uncommon complications include bacterial tracheitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema.