Which pediatric condition is characterized by a "barking" cough and stridor?

The pediatric condition characterized by a "barking" cough and stridor is croup. Croup is typically caused by viral infections, often leading to inflammation of the upper airways, particularly the larynx and trachea. This inflammation causes the distinctive bark-like cough and can also lead to stridor, which is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that occurs upon inhalation.

The symptoms of croup can be exacerbated at night and may include a hoarse voice and difficulty breathing. One of the hallmark features of croup is the sudden onset of these symptoms following a few days of mild upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose or fever. When assessing a child with these symptoms, it's important for healthcare providers to identify croup early so they can manage the condition appropriately, often with the use of corticosteroids or nebulized epinephrine in more severe cases.

Other conditions listed have different symptomatology. For example, bronchiolitis typically presents with wheezing and respiratory distress but not the hallmark barking cough. Pneumonia generally presents with fever, a productive cough, and possible hypoxia rather than stridor. Asthma may cause wheezing and difficulty breathing but does not usually cause a barking cough typical