[Special infections of the respiratory tract in children].

Inspiratory or exspiratory stridor associated with dyspnea represents a common pediatric symptomatology compatible with various diseases which usually are of infectious etiology. The causative obstruction of the infantile airways may lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. A review is conducted of the most important emergencies characterized by stridor and dyspnea in early childhood: croup syndromes (acute viral laryngotracheitis, spasmodic croup, bacterial tracheitis), epiglottitis and bronchiolitis.