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Croup — MRCPCH FOP MCQ

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ModerateRespiratoryCroupMRCPCH FOP

A 2-year-old boy has a barking cough and hoarse voice. He has inspiratory stridor at rest, mild recession, temperature 37.8°C and oxygen saturation 96% in air. What is the most likely cause?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Viral subglottic inflammation, commonly parainfluenza

Barking cough, hoarse voice and inspiratory stridor are typical of croup, which is usually due to viral subglottic inflammation. Epiglottitis causes drooling, toxic appearance and muffled voice rather than a barking cough. Asthma causes expiratory wheeze rather than upper-airway stridor. The pearl is that stridor at rest reflects clinically important upper-airway narrowing.

Reference: NICE CKS Croup; BNFc