[Respiratory emergencies in childhood and adolescence].

Dyspnoea, inspiratory stridor, wheeze, cyanosis and chest pain are common symptoms of respiratory emergencies in children and adolescents. The airways of infants and toddlers are narrow and soft and oxygen reserve is small. Muscle fatigue can quickly lead to respiratory insufficiency. Symptoms, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and therapy of foreign body inhalation, croup, epiglottitis, bacterial tracheitis, bronchiolitis and acute asthma are dealt with in detail.