What condition is commonly referred to as laryngotracheobronchitis?

Laryngotracheobronchitis, commonly known as croup, is an infection of the upper airway that causes inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. This condition typically presents with a characteristic "barking" cough, stridor, and hoarseness, and is most often seen in young children.

Croup is usually viral in origin, frequently associated with parainfluenza viruses, and tends to occur during the fall and winter months. The inflammation leads to narrowing of the airways, making breathing more difficult, particularly when the child is agitated or during nighttime.

This distinct presentation and the demographic most affected help differentiate it from other respiratory conditions. Asthma involves bronchial hyperreactivity and is primarily characterized by wheezing and difficulty exhaling, rather than the classic symptoms of croup. Pneumonia involves infection and inflammation of the lung tissue itself, often accompanied by fever and productive cough, and bronchiolitis is typically associated with inflammation of the small airways in infants, commonly due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These conditions do not present with the hallmark symptoms of laryngotracheobronchitis, highlighting why croup is the appropriate match for the term