Respiratory distress in children is a serious condition that can be alarming for both the child and their caregivers. It occurs when the body struggles to get enough oxygen, often due to an infection, allergy, or obstruction of the airway.
Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of respiratory distress can help you act quickly and seek medical care when necessary.
What is respiratory distress?
Respiratory distress refers to the body’s response to a lack of oxygen. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, or foreign objects lodged in the airway. The body works harder to compensate for decreased oxygen levels by increasing breathing effort, which you can notice in a child.
It’s important to recognize respiratory distress early, as timely intervention can prevent further complications and make sure your child receives the care they need.
Key signs of respiratory distress
Understanding the signs of respiratory distress can help you determine whether immediate medical attention is needed. Watch this PedsDocTalk YouTube video for images and videos showing increased work of breathing. These are some of the most common symptoms:
Increased work of breathing
One of the hallmark signs of respiratory distress is when your child is working harder to breathe. This may be noticeable through:
- Nasal flaring: The nostrils widen with each breath as the body attempts to take in more oxygen.
- Retractions: The skin between or under the ribs, around the collarbone, or above the sternum pulls in as your child breathes.
- Head bobbing: Your child’s head moves up and down with each breath as they work harder to inhale.
These are all signs that your child’s body is compensating for difficulty getting enough air.
Noisy breathing
Breathing sounds can provide clues about respiratory distress. You may hear:
- Grunting: A low-pitched sound with each breath as your child struggles to maintain open airways.
- Wheezing: A high-pitched “eee” sound that often indicates constricted airways. This is common in asthma or allergic reactions.
- Stridor: A harsh, vibratory sound typically heard when your child inhales, suggesting an upper airway obstruction or infection, like croup.
If these sounds are accompanied by other symptoms like increased breathing effort or color changes, it’s important to get your child evaluated.
Rapid breathing
Rapid breathing occurs when the body tries to bring in more oxygen by spreading up the breathing rate. Babies and young children naturally breathe faster than older adults, so it’s important to know what’s at normal range for your child and recognize if they’re breathing faster than usual.
You can count their respiratory rate by making sure your child is calm and at rest, ideally lying or sitting still. Watch the rise and fall of their chest for one minute. Count each full breath, the inhale and exhale, as one breath. Compare the number to age-appropriate respiratory rate ranges. For example, most infants breathe 30-60 times per minute, while toddlers breathe 20-40 times. Check out this PedsDocTalk YouTube video for a visual demonstration.
If their respiratory rate is higher than the expected range, it’s important to watch for other signs of distress.
Skin color changes
One of the more alarming signs of respiratory distress is when your child’s skin changes color. A bluish tint around the lips, fingertips, or face is a clear indicator that your child is not getting enough oxygen, and you should seek emergency medical help immediately.
Behavioral changes
Children in respiratory distress often show changes in their behavior. They may become unusually fussy, agitated, or, on the flip side, abnormally sleepy and listless. If your child’s mood or alertness changes with breathing difficulties, it’s important to get them evaluated right away.
Common causes of respiratory distress
Several factors can contribute to respiratory distress in children, including:
Respiratory infections, like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or severe colds can cause inflammation and mucus buildup in the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. These infections are more common in infants and young children and may require medical intervention.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways. During an asthma attach, the child’s airways become constricted, making it hard to breathe. This can result in wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. It’s important to follow yoru asthma action plan or seek medical help if your child’s asthma sytmpoms worsen.
Severe allergies, especially to foods or insect stings, can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction in which the airways swell and narrow, leading to respiratory distress. If your child is having difficulty breathing due to an allergy, call 911 or use an epinephrine injector if prescribed.
Children, especially toddlers, may accidentally inhale or swallow small objects, leading to a blocked airway. If your child has sudden difficulty breathing after playing with small objects, is important to seek medical attention immediately.
What to do if your child has respiratory distress?
Stay calm and reassure your child: If your child is struggling to breathe, they may already feel scared and anxious. Keeping calm and reassuring them can help prevent further panic, which can make breathing more difficult.
Seek medical care: If you notice severe symptoms, like changes in skin color, retractions, or noisy breathing, it’s important to get your child evaluated by a healthcare professional immediately. In many cases, the emergency room will be the best options, as they have the equipment necessary to manage respiratory problems.
This PedsDocTalk YouTube video discusses when to go to the doctor’s office vs. the emergency room with children.
Monitor at home for mild cases: If your child is breathing faster due to a mild fever, try giving them fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and monitor their breathing once the fever goes down. If their breathing normalizes and no other symptoms of distress are present, you can likely monitor at home.
This PedsDocTalk YouTube video covers fevers in babies and children.
A final note for caregivers
Recognizing signs of respiratory distress in children can be life-saving. By staying aware of increased work of breathing, skin color changes, rapid breathing, and behavioral changes, you will know when it’s time to seek medical help. Respiratory distress can be caused by various factors, from infections to allergies, but early intervention is always key. If in doubt, always err on the side of caution and get your child evaluated by a healthcare professional. Remember, staying calm and acting quickly can make all the difference in getting your child the help they need.
Watch the PedsDocTalk YouTube Video HERE!
