Croup natural history, complications, and prognosis

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

Croup Microchapters
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Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Classification
Differentiating Croup from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview

Viral croup is a self-limited disease, symptoms lasting up to 7 days. It can very rarely result in death from complete airway obstruction.

Complications

• Atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung)
• Bacterial tracheitis
• Dehydration
• Epiglottitis
• Respiratory arrest
• Respiratory distress

Prognosis

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.