The Laryngoscope
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Inflammatory illnesses of the pediatric airway cause significant morbidity and mortality. Bacterial tracheitis is a distinct entity with features common to both croup and epiglottitis. Ten patients between the ages of 3 months and 12 years were treated at Children's Hospital, Boston, MA., for bacterial tracheitis. ⋯ Three patients required endotracheal intubation. No patient required tracheotomy, and there were no cardiopulmonary arrests. It is of particular interest that although the patients in this series presented in a manner similar to that of patients in other published series, the management is significantly different and the overall outcome is significantly better.