Pseudocroup: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99).

  • Tracheomalacia (softening of the trachea).

Respiratory System (J00-J99)

  • Acute bacterial tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea); typical pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus.
  • Epiglottitis (epiglottitis).
  • Respiratory tract infections, unspecified
  • Recurrent croup – typical causative agents/triggers: viruses, allergens, inhalant noxious agents; childhood (6 LM – 6th LY/peak 2nd LY).

Blood, blood-forming organs – immune system (D50-D90).

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

  • Bacterial infections, unspecified
  • Diphtheria (true croup)
  • Viral infections, unspecified
  • Childhood diseases such as rubella, measles, mumps, varicella (chickenpox) usually begin nonspecifically

Injuries, poisonings and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).

Further

  • Allergic reactions, unspecified

Boldface: differential diagnoses of croup syndrome; the following conditions are assigned to it:

  • Diphtheric croup (true croup) – typical pathogen: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Note: occurrence at any age!
  • viral croup – most common cause of acute dyspnea (shortness of breath) in childhood (6th month of life (LM) – 3rd year of life (LJ)); incidence: about 5% in the 2nd year of life.
  • recurrent croup – typical causative agents/triggers: viruses, allergens, inhalant noxious agents; childhood (6 LM – 6th LY/peak 2nd LY).
  • Bacterial laryngotracheitis – typical pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae; occurrence: very rare; childhood (6th LM – 8th LJ/peak 6th LJ).

Legend

  • LM: Month of life
  • LJ: year of life