What is the recommended treatment for pediatric croup with stridor?

In cases of pediatric croup presenting with stridor, the primary focus of treatment is to reduce airway inflammation and improve breathing. Normal saline nebulization can provide a soothing effect, helping to hydrate the airway and alleviate symptoms. Although normal saline nebulization can help with symptom management, it is not the first-line treatment for moderate to severe croup.

The recommended treatment for croup with stridor, especially when it is at rest, typically involves corticosteroids and the use of nebulized racemic epinephrine to immediately alleviate stridor by reducing airway swelling. The choice of normal saline nebulization does not directly address the underlying inflammation or provide bronchodilation.

Therefore, while normal saline nebulization may offer some benefits in soothing the airway, it is essential to recognize that other treatment options with proven efficacy are more appropriate for managing stridor in croup, highlighting the importance of timely and appropriate therapeutic interventions.