Question: What are the causes of upper airway obstruction (UAO) in a child?

Answer: The following are common causes of UAO in a child:

• Croup: viral, progressive obstruction
• Epiglottitis: severe, bacterial infection, acute onset
• Tracheitis: severe bacterial infection, systemically unwell
• Foreign body: sudden onset, afebrile, often witnessed
• Dental abscess: localized swelling