Stridor – Paediatric
This RAC is applicable to referrals for patients aged <16 years only. Please refer to the Adult ENT RAC for referrals for patients aged 16 years or more. |
Emergency and immediate referrals
Referral to Emergency Department
If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region:
- Abscess or haematoma (e.g. peritonsillar, parapharyngeal (quinsy), salivary, neck or retropharyngeal abscess)
- Acutely enlarging neck mass with any associated airway symptoms e.g. stridor, drooling, dysphagia etc
- Airway compromise: severe stridor/drooling/ breathing difficulty/acute, sudden voice change/ severe odynophagia
- Foreign body (button batteries – inhaled or ingested) if suspicion of button battery immediate emergency review
- Hoarseness associated with neck trauma or surgery
- If new onset hoarse voice and any airway obstructive symptoms
- Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage
- Trauma
Immediately contact on-call registrar or service to arrange an immediate ENT assessment (seen within 7 days) for:
To contact the relevant service, please see HealthPathways: Acute Paediatric ENT Assessment
Presenting issues |
- Stridor (high pitched wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow)
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Mandatory referral information (referral will be returned if this information is not included) |
History
- Gestational age of child
- Birth weight
- Whether child was intubated
- Feeding quality
If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral
Referrer to state reason if not able to include mandatory information in referral (e.g. patient unable to access test due to geographical location or financial cost)
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Highly desirable referral information |
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Indicative triage category
Indicative triage category |
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days |
- Moderate non-life-threatening stridor with feeding difficulties
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Category 2
Appointment within 90 days |
- Mild non-life-threatening stridor without feeding difficulties
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Category 3
Appointment within 365 days |
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Last reviewed: 26-05-2023
More information
Email: DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au