Croup in Babies and Young Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Croup is a common respiratory illness that affects babies and young children, causing swelling in the upper airways and making it difficult for them to breathe. If your child has a barking cough, a hoarse voice, and noisy or raspy breathing, they may have croup. While most cases of croup are mild and can be treated at home, it's important to know the signs and symptoms that require medical attention.

What Causes Croup?

Croup is usually caused by a virus, such as the parainfluenza virus, that infects the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). The swelling caused by the infection narrows the airway, making it harder for your child to breathe. Croup is most common in children under the age of 3 because they have smaller windpipes.

There are two other types of croup: spasmodic and bacterial. Spasmodic croup comes on suddenly and may be caused by an allergy or reflux from the stomach. Bacterial croup is rare and can be more serious.

Symptoms of Croup

The most common symptoms of croup include:

• A barking cough that sounds like a seal

• A hoarse or raspy voice

• Noisy or raspy breathing

• Fever

• Redness around the eyes

• Swollen lymph nodes

• A rash

Symptoms tend to be worse at night and can be aggravated by crying or agitation. If your child has trouble breathing or swallowing, their skin is pulling in around their ribs (retractions), or their skin is turning blue, seek emergency medical care right away.

Treating Croup at Home

Most cases of croup can be treated at home. Here are some tips to help your child feel more comfortable:

• Keep your child calm and upright to make breathing easier

• Offer plenty of clear, warm fluids like apple juice or lemonade to soothe the throat and loosen mucus

• Use a humidifier or run a hot shower to breathe in steam or cool mist

• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat fever, but avoid cough and cold medicines

If your child's symptoms last more than a week, they have a fever for more than 3 days, or they have noisy breathing even when not agitated, call your doctor.

When to Seek Medical Care

In some cases, croup can be serious and require medical attention. Take your child to the emergency room if they have trouble breathing or swallowing, can't stop coughing, have retractions, or have blue-tinged skin.

At the hospital, your child may receive a breathing treatment, steroids to reduce swelling, or be given humidified air or oxygen. In rare cases, a breathing tube may be necessary.

Preventing Croup

While there's no vaccine to prevent croup, there are steps you can take to reduce your child's risk:

• Practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and cleaning toys and surfaces

• Encourage your child to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing

• Keep your child home from school or daycare when they're sick

• Keep your child's vaccinations up to date to prevent more serious infections that can lead to croup

Remember, most cases of croup are mild and can be managed at home. But if your child is having difficulty breathing, don't hesitate to seek medical care. With proper treatment and care, your child should be feeling better in no time.

For more information on croup, visit:

• CDC - Parainfluenza Virus and Croup

• Mayo Clinic - Croup

• KidsHealth - Croup