Complication of acute epiglottitis.

Acute airway obstruction secondary to supraglottic inflammation is a regional manifestation of epiglottitis in children. Pneumonia, meningitis, cervical adenitis and septic shock are systemic manifestations which can complicate the course of acute epiglottitis. Prompt airway control and institution of appropriate high dose i.v. antibiotics are both important to continue to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with the regional and systemic manifestations of acute epiglottitis in children.