Management of the Breathing Problem in Babies

Introduction:

It is very stressful for parents to see their child with difficulty breathing. However, suppose the child suffers from severe breathing issues and needs immediate medical help; the underlying cause should be diagnosed and treated correctly. Parents need to identify the signs of a child having difficulty breathing. If symptoms such as fast breathing, pulling in the rib cage, flaring of the nostrils, and wheezing sounds are present, parents should seek immediate help. Breathing difficulties can become life-threatening conditions. Therefore, parents should be cautious and observe their children.

What Are the Etiology of Breathing Difficulties in Children?

Following are the various causes of breathing difficulties in children.

• Asthma: It can occur at any age, but pediatric asthma occurs at the age of five. It causes shortness of breath and wheezing in children. If severe, it requires immediate medical emergency treatment.

• Allergies: Allergies cause breathing difficulty in children. They mainly affect the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, mouth, and throat. As a result, the child has nose discharge, sore eyes, and sneezing.

• Viral Infections: They cause breathing difficulty in the upper respiratory system. The most common viral infection that causes difficulty breathing is bronchiolitis. In addition, a cold, cough, and sore throat are present.

• Bacterial Infections: These are commonly seen in upper respiratory tract infections. Acute tonsillitis is a widely seen bacterial infection in children. Bacteria can also cause lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, and diseases like epiglottitis (inflammation of epiglottis). Pneumonia can cause severe breathing difficulty.

• Other Causes: Other causes, such as airway blockage by an inhaled foreign object and chronic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis (a genetic condition in which severe damage occurs to the lungs and other organs, such as the pancreas and kidneys), can also cause breathing difficulties.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Breathing Difficulties in Children?

Following are the signs and symptoms of breathing difficulties in children.

• Rapid Breathing: Rapid and irregular breathing is seen in children. The breathing rate is more than sixty breaths per minute. The baby breathes rapidly while crying. Continuous rapid breathing for no longer than twenty seconds is called apnea.

• Flared Nostrils: The nostrils widen with every inhaled breath, and the child experiences trouble and discomfort while taking a breath.

• Retracting: This is another sign of difficulty breathing. The baby pulls the chest at the level of the ribs, breastbone, and above the collarbones.

• Grunting: Grunting is a sound made by a child due to difficulty breathing. The grunting sound is present as the child tries to keep the air in the lungs. The lungs help to build up the oxygen level of the child. The child moans or sighs during the exhalation process.

• Cyanosis: It is a generalized bluish discoloration caused by a decrease in oxygen content in the body. It is commonly found in children with heart defects and respiratory diseases.

• Coughing: If persistent coughing indicates a breathing disease in children, the child should be appropriately examined to determine the cause. A persistent cough is seen in asthma and cystic fibrosis.

• Mucus: Mucus discharge while coughing is suggestive of respiratory tract infections.

• Wheezing: Wheezing is the high-pitched sound from a child's chest during breathing. It is found in asthma and infections.

• Fever: It is a sign of infection. High body temperature makes the child tired, and breathing becomes difficult.

• Pain: There is pain in the chest and throat due to respiratory infections.

How Is Breathing Difficulty Managed in Children?

The treatment plan depends upon the severity and the underlying cause. The following are the various treatment plans that can be used to manage breathing difficulties in children.

• Take Medical Help: If the baby has difficulty breathing, the parents should seek immediate medical help.

• Nebulization: It is a process in which medicines are delivered deep into the child's lungs with the help of a nebulizer.

• Suctioning: The nose is suctioned to reduce the blockage caused by thick secretions. The child cannot blow his nose by himself, so it helps the child breathe correctly.

• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are indicated if airways are obstructed due to conditions like anaphylaxis and asthma.

• Antibiotic Therapy: This therapy can reduce upper and lower respiratory tract bacterial infections.

• Other Medications: Bronchodilators are indicated to open the child's airways. Artificial surfactants help prevent air sacs from collapsing. If there is a presence of excess fluid in the lungs, diuretics are indicated. Antipyretics are given if the child is suffering from a fever.

• Oxygen Therapy: Oxygen therapy is indicated if the child is not getting enough oxygen into his lungs.

What Should Parents Do if the Child Has Difficulty in Breathing?

First, parents should follow the steps to ease their children.

• Stay Calm: The patient must remain calm to support and assist the child.

• Positioning: If the child is conscious and able to sit, encourage them to sit upright and lean slightly forward to help open the airways.

• Provide Comfort: Parents should offer reassurance and comfort to the child before offering medical assistance.

• Preventing Dehydration: Parents should give their child plenty of water and electrolyte solution to avoid dehydration.

• Congestion Relief: Mucus should be removed from the child's nose with a nasal aspirator to relieve congestion. Parents should also use saline nasal drops.

• Humidifier: Parents should use a humidifier for the child to add moisture to the air in his vicinity.

Conclusion:

It is challenging for parents to see their children in pain and uncomfortable situations. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in recognizing signs of respiratory distress and seeking medical help when necessary. Mild breathing difficulties are commonly seen in children, caused by changes in weather and allergies. However, certain signs, such as chest retraction and wheezing, indicate that the child suffers from respiratory disease. It is an alarming sign for parents that their child needs medical care. Therefore, parents should closely monitor their child’s activities and actions and promptly take proper steps to care for them correctly.