Epiglottitis most commonly occurs in children between which ages?

Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis, which can cause severe airway obstruction and is considered a medical emergency. The condition most commonly affects children between the ages of 1 to 8 years. This age group is particularly vulnerable due to their smaller airway size and developing immune systems.

The prevalence of epiglottitis has changed over the years, largely due to the widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which has significantly reduced the incidence of bacterial strains that cause the condition. However, it remains most prevalent in young children, especially those in the 1 to 8-year range. This period is critical as children are transitioning from being primarily dependent on caregivers to gaining some independence, while still being at risk for infections that can lead to epiglottitis.

Other age groups, such as infants (0 to 1 years) or older adolescents and young adults (8 to 15 years or 15 to 18 years), experience lower rates of epiglottitis in comparison to the 1 to 8 year bracket due to various factors, including development of immunity and changes in the types of infections that are prevalent in these populations. Thus, selecting the age range