Croup in Children and Risk Factors

Croup is a common respiratory illness in children under 5 years, primarily caused by viral infections. Symptoms include inspiratory stridor, barking cough, and hoarseness due to inflamed vocal cords. Diagnosis is based on symptoms difficulty breathing, stridor, chest in-drawing voice changes and head nodding. Severity ranges from mild to severe cases. This study aimed to explore variations in croup and factors contributing to its recurrence in children. This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed health records from the Pediatric Practice "Vitalino" in Veles, North Macedonia, from 2016 to 2022. It included children aged 0-5 years who had croup at least once. The sample was substantial and representative, allowing for a thorough examination of potential correlations and trends in croup occurrence. Among 707 studied children, 254 had croup, with a prevalence of 35.9% over seven years or 5.1% per year. Females had lower odds of recurrent croup, while males had higher odds, but the differences were not statistically significant. Atopic dermatitis and bronchiolitis exposure were significantly associated with croup in both genders. The study provides insights into the prevalence, distribution of croup and associated conditions in young children. The significant associations of atopic dermatitis and bronchiolitis suggest a link between these conditions and recurrent croup. Considering these strong associations, we can conclude that bronchiolitis and croup should be included in the trajectory of the atopic march.