Child health · UKMLA & AKT
Epiglottitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise epiglottitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
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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