Child health · UKMLA & AKT
Epiglottitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Rapid onset (hours) of high fever, severe sore throat, dysphagia, and deteriorating upper airway obstruction - toxic-appearing child
- Tripod position - sits forward, leaning on outstretched arms, neck extended; maximises airway calibre and prevents epiglottis prolapsing over laryngeal inlet
- Drooling - cannot swallow own saliva (key discriminator from croup)
- Inspiratory stridor - partial upper airway obstruction at supraglottic level
- Muffled 'hot potato' voice - swollen supraglottic structures distort phonation
Do NOT examine the throat with a tongue depressor, lie the child down, insert a cannula before securing the airway, or send for lateral neck X-ray if deteriorating - any of these can precipitate complete airway obstruction.
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