Acute stridor may be inspiratory or expiratory depending on the level of airway obstruction. Patients presenting with stridor may also experience a wheeze, chest hyperinflation, inspiratory recession, and drooling. Frequently stridor is seen in infective childhood pathologies such as croup and epiglottitis, but other causes may include burns and foreign bodies. A detailed history and the phase of the stridor may assist in determining the cause. The management of a child with stridor requires a timely assessment with an evaluation of the airway and the need for intubation. Support from ENT and paediatric intensive care should be sought early. The advantages of inhalational and intravenous induction are discussed.