A 5-year-old child shows signs of hoarseness and moderate stridor after a cold. What is the appropriate recommendation for this child?

In this scenario, the child presents with hoarseness and moderate stridor following a cold, which raises concerns of potential laryngotracheobronchitis, commonly known as croup. In young children, stridor is often a sign of significant upper airway obstruction or inflammation, particularly if it occurs after an upper respiratory infection.

Admitting the child to the hospital is appropriate when the stridor is moderate to severe, as this indicates that the child may require closer monitoring and potential interventions beyond what can be managed at home. Hospitalization allows for immediate access to critical care resources, including nebulized epinephrine and systemic corticosteroids, which can effectively reduce airway swelling and improve breathing. Additionally, hospital protocols can ensure that the child is monitored for any signs of deterioration or respiratory distress.

Home treatments and outpatient management may be suitable for mild cases of stridor without significant respiratory distress; however, the moderate stridor observed in this case suggests the need for more extensive evaluation and care that can only be provided in a hospital setting. Continuous bronchodilator therapy and immediate intubation are more aggressive interventions and may be indicated in cases of severe respiratory compromise, but they are not the initial recommendations for moderate stridor that arises post-infection without severe distress