Acute Epiglottitis in Childhood

Abstract
RECENT reviews of acute respiratory disease in childhood1 , 2 have failed to emphasize the importance of epiglottitis. Unless physicians are cognizant of the clinical features of this rapidly developing infection, in many cases proper treatment will not be instituted in time to prevent death.In 1941 Sinclair3 called attention to a syndrome of acute respiratory obstruction in children produced by epiglottitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Group B. This syndrome was characterized by an abrupt onset, fulminating course, rapidly progressive respiratory obstruction due to an edematous, swollen, "cherry-red" epiglottis, prostration and high mortality rate if untreated by specific measures. Since that time . . .