When managing a child with severe disease, what should be done if stridor is present?

When managing a child with severe disease who presents with stridor, it is critical to address the potential airway obstruction and respiratory distress associated with this clinical sign. Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound typically caused by an obstruction in the upper airway, which can be due to conditions such as croup, anaphylaxis, or other causes of airway inflammation.

Administering nebulized adrenaline is the appropriate response because it works as a bronchodilator and has vasoconstrictive properties that can help reduce swelling in the airway, providing immediate relief of stridor. This can be particularly important in emergency situations where airway management is vital, as it helps to alleviate acute respiratory distress and can prevent further complications.

The other options are not as suitable in acute management. Antihistamines may not provide rapid relief of airway swelling associated with stridor. Oral steroids are useful for reducing inflammation but take longer to have an effect and are not appropriate for immediate relief in an urgent setting. Observing without intervention could lead to deterioration in the child’s condition, and thus, prompt treatment is essential for any child presenting with stridor.