Covid Qld: Virus triggering croup in young children

Children recovering from Covid are being struck down by growing instances of another infection as the number of sufferers presenting in the emergency department triple across the state.

Children recovering from Covid are being struck down with croup as cases of the infection presenting in the emergency department triple across the state.

Latest number for June show the total number of patients presenting and being diagnosed with croup at Queensland hospitals reached 1,261 compared to just 427 in January.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman confirmed “croup associated Covid” cases had presented to the Queensland Children’s Hospital, with 191 presentations in June alone.

“It is internationally recognised that the Omicron variant appears to cause upper airway symptoms like croup,” she said.

“Croup is a symptom of upper respiratory infections, and is caused by swelling of the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (the large airways in the lungs), which makes it hard to breathe.

“Most children with minor symptoms will start to improve after three to four days without treatment, however severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, will need treatment at a hospital.”

Meanwhile, Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said “Croup is not a virus on its own”.

“It is the inflammation of the upper airway, larynx and trachea that is usually triggered by some viruses,” she said.

“Croup generally occurs in children between six months and six years of age, tends to be worse at night and is characterised by a barking seal-like cough.

“Covid is one of the viruses that can cause croup.”

Dr Boulton said children will “usually” recover on their own from mild croup and respiratory viruses but in a “small number of cases” a child can become “very unwell”.

“If parents are concerned and notice their child is unwell or having difficulty breathing or having difficulty drinking liquids they should seek urgent medical assistance.”

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners vice president Bruce Willett said it is “unsurprising” that doctors are finding presentations of croup in children seeking hospital care for Covid amid the current wave.

“In some cases, they are co-infected with both Covid and another virus that typically causes croup,” he said.

But Mr Willett said croup is “quite common” in children.

“My advice for parents is that you can help prevent croup and Covid the same way you prevent any viral infection – practising good hand hygiene and coughing into your elbow,” he said.

Mr Willett urged parents to get their child vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

On Wednesday, the Albanese Government accepted a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to make a Moderna Covid vaccine available to children aged 6 months to under 5 years in certain at-risk population groups.

This includes children who are immunocompromised, those with a disability, as well as children who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of Covid.”

Approximately 70,000 young children at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 will be able to receive a vaccination from September 5 2022.

ED presentations diagnosed with croup between January 2022 and June 2022.

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Jan - 22 Feb - 22 Mar - 22 Apr - 22 May - 22 Jun - 22 Total

Children’s Health Qld HHS 87 85 153 154 178 191 848

Qld total 427 485 815 798 1,129 1,261 4,915

Originally published as Covid Qld: Virus triggering croup in young children