What is the aerosolized medication recommended for moderate croup with stridor at rest?

For moderate croup with stridor at rest, the recommended treatment includes the use of aerosolized racemic epinephrine. This medication is indicated because it works as a bronchodilator and provides temporary relief from airway swelling, which is a characteristic of croup. Racemic epinephrine helps to constrict the blood vessels in the airway, reducing edema and the associated stridor, thereby improving the child’s ability to breathe comfortably.

The dosing of racemic epinephrine is often 0.5 mL of a 2.25% solution diluted in 2.5 mL of normal saline, making it effective for this specific situation. This treatment can rapidly alleviate symptoms while the patient is being assessed and managed further.

Other options may play a role in the overall treatment of croup but are not appropriate for this immediate intervention. Albuterol is primarily a bronchodilator used in conditions like asthma and does not effectively address the inflammation associated with croup. Normal saline 3% solution is a hypertonic saline used to help with pulmonary edema but lacks the specific action needed for croup treatment. Dexamethasone, while an important steroid for reducing inflammation, is typically given orally or intravenously rather than aerosolized and