Current pharmacological options in the treatment of croup.

Croup is one of the most common respiratory illnesses seen in the acute paediatric setting. It can be a cause of acute stridor and/or respiratory distress in young children. Research has shown that therapy aimed at reducing symptoms and inflammation can reduce complications such as the need for intubation, hospitalisation and improve quality of life for parents and children. Corticosteroids are the primary treatment option that will accomplish both goals and can be used in out-patient and in-patient settings. Corticosteroids may be given orally, parenterally or in wet nebulised form; however, oral administration is the preferred route. Wet nebulised adrenaline (racaemic or l-adrenaline) is also an effective treatment for more severe cases of croup. Recent studies have shown that mist/humidified air provides no additional symptom improvement, nor does it alter the overall cause of the disease process. Currently, there is insufficient randomised controlled trial evidence to support the role of heliox in the short-term treatment of croup.