Severity of croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)
The Westley Croup Score grades the severity of croup from five clinical observations, giving a total that separates mild croup treatable with a single dose of steroid from severe croup needing nebulised adrenaline and close observation.
The app bands the total and names the severity, with mild at the low end and impending respiratory failure at the top. Each band carries its management implication.
No. Corticosteroid is recommended across croup severities, including mild disease. The score guides the need for adrenaline and observation, not whether to give steroid.
Stridor only on agitation scores lower than stridor at rest, which reflects a more significant degree of airway narrowing.
It supports the decision alongside response to treatment and the observation period. A child whose score falls after adrenaline still needs observation, since the effect wears off.