Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City
Prehospital Basic Life Support Protocols
Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

452 PEDIATRIC CROUP/EPIGLOTTITIS

NOTE:CROUP SHOULD BE SUSPECTED IN CHILDREN WITH STRIDOR, RETRACTIONS, BARKING COUGH, NORMAL OR SLIGHTLY ELEVATED TEMPERATURE, AND A HISTORY OF UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION.

EPIGLOTTITIS SHOULD BE SUSPECTED IN A CHILD WITH STRIDOR, RETRACTIONS, MUFFLED VOICE, HIGH FEVER, AND DROOLING .

IF THE PATIENT IS CONSCIOUS:

Administer oxygen.

NOTE:PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH CROUP/EPIGLOTTITIS SHOULD RECEIVE HUMIDIFIED OXYGEN (IF AVAILABLE).

Request Advanced Life Support assistance.

Monitor breathing for adequacy.

Transport in a sitting position, keeping the child warm. When feasible, allow a parent to accompany the child in the patient compartment.

NOTE:AVOID AGITATING THE PATIENT. DO NOT EXAMINE OROPHARYNX.
ALLOW SALIVA TO DRAIN FROM THE MOUTH.
DO NOT PLACE PATIENT IN A SUPINE POSITION.

IF THE CHILD IS UNCONSCIOUS:

Assist ventilations.

NOTE:HIGH PRESSURE BAG-VALVE-MASK, MOUTH-TO-MOUTH, OR MOUTH-TO-MASK VENTILATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

Request Advanced Life Support assistance.

Monitor breathing for adequacy.

Transport, keeping the child warm.

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