Objectives: We performed a retrospective review to determine the utility of bronchoscopy in patients with recurrent croup (RC). Methods: Bronchoscopy was performed on 30 patients with a diagnosis of RC (age, 14 months to 13.9 years) over a 2-year period. Results: One third of the patients (33.3%) were found to have airway disorders, including subglottic stenosis (7), subglottic edema (2), and a subglottic cyst (1). Patients with RC who were less than 3 years of age were more likely to have an airway abnormality found on endoscopy (9 of 14 or 64.2%) than were those older than 3 years (1 of 16 or 6.2%; χ 2 , p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in abnormal findings 1) in patients with RC who had a history of prematurity or prior intubations (χ 2 , p = 0.17 and p = 0.052, respectively); 2) between infectious and spasmodic croup (χ 2 , p = 0.794); or 3) by number of croup episodes (χ 2 , p = 0.300). Two patients required surgical intervention (laryngotracheal reconstruction and marsupialization of a subglottic cyst). Conclusions: Of 30 patients who underwent bronchoscopy for RC, 33% had airway disorders -mostly children less than 3 years old. We suggest a higher index of suspicion for finding airway disorders in children less than 3 years old with RC and having a lower threshold for performing diagnostic bronchoscopy in this population.

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Objective To present a case of a pediatric cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis (NF), a rapidly progressive infection, and a review of a 10-year pediatric inpatient database. Design Case report and review. Setting Pediatric intensive care unit. Patients A healthy 5-year-old male who developed NF of the lower lip 36 hours following minor trauma. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 728.86 (NF), was the inclusion criteria for the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) in 1997 and 2006. Results A pediatric case is presented with a thorough photographic record demonstrating the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment. In a review of the KID from 1997 and 2006, the relative risk of being discharged with NF in 2006 vs 1997 was 1.4 (95% CI, 9.95-2.28). Age at diagnosis of NF was older in 2006 compared with 1997 (11.5 years vs 8.05 years; P<.001). Deaths with a diagnosis of NF increased from 1997 compared with 2006: from 3.9% to 5.4%. In 2006, the odds of death were 15.1 times higher in pediatric discharges with a diagnosis of NF compared with discharges without a diagnosis of NF (P<.001; 95% CI, 9.3-23.1). Conclusions Even with the advent of new treatments and antibiotics, the incidence and death rates of NF have changed little over the past 10 years. While it is still a rare diagnosis, knowledge and awareness of necrotizing fasciitis with aggressive medical and surgical treatment are still the foundation in disease survival.

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