The sound of croup can be frightening for parents to hear. Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal. It can also be accompanied by difficult breathing, and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while exhaling.
Researchers evaluated 80 children who had recurrent croup (three or more episodes a year) to see if there had been any narrowing in the upper airways which could indicate reflux. 33 percent of the children had narrowing of the airways, and 73 percent of those with narrowed airways also manifested laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Researchers suggested that children with multiple occurrences of croup should be tested for reflux. They also noted if reflux was a factor in the occurrence of croup, and proper preventive treatment prescribed, the episodes of croup may be averted.
