Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 9/24/2008

Question
Hello.
My friends son is in the hospital.  He was diagnosed with asthmatic croup
possibly caused by pesticide spraying.
He had a tube and it was finally removed after complications.
He was hoarse and recognized everyone. His sister read to him
and later he could not recognize family anymore.

Is this a symptom of the asthmatic croup diagnosis
or is this something else.

Answer
Hi Kym,

The term "asthmatic croup" is not truly a medical diagnosis, but a way for the doctor to explain in lay language what is at play. Asthma speaks directly to lung inflammation and broncho-constriction (where the muscles that surround the main airways constrict, resulting a narrowing of the airways). Croup is defined as an inflammation of the larynx and trachea (airway above the lungs) and bronchi, the main airways in the lungs.
 Regardless, the fact that what triggered the reaction to the degree that the child had to put a breathing tube in reflects the severity of the incident. Inserting a tube is a last resort since it in itself causes complications, exactly what happened here.
 The memory issue would not be due to the condition, but (and keep in mind that I'm not a physician)is probably a stress related response to mentally block what occurred. If he suffered a prolonged period without oxygen which resulted in a compromise in his brain, I do not believe he'd have been able to recognize family. This is why I feel it more lines up with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I'd expect that,with a full recovery, it will resolve on its own. I wouldn't be surprised after the recover that he would not be able to recall the whole incident. The minds way of protecting the individual from continued stress.

I wish you the best for your friends son for a speedy recovery. I hope this helps get them through what I'm sure is a difficult time.

Sincerely,

Marc