Breathing difficulties in children

What causes breathing difficulties in children?

Pneumonia patch diagram

The respiratory tract can be divided into:

• The upper respiratory tract: nose, mouth, throat and voice box (larynx).

• The lower respiratory tract: windpipe (trachea), bronchi and lungs.

Many breathing difficulties are caused by infections but there are other causes too. The main causes of breathing difficulties include:

• Viral infections.

• Bacterial infections.

• Asthma.

• Allergies.

• Passive smoking (exposure to cigarette smoke).

• Exposure to other harmful gases (for example, really bad pollution).

• Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food or any small object.

• A genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis.

Although respiratory infections are very common, not all breathing difficulties are caused by infections. The main causes of breathing difficulties in children include the following.

Viral infections

Viral infections cause most upper respiratory infections, including colds and sore throats. These infections are usually mild and get better quickly. Some viruses can cause severe symptoms which may need treatment in hospital. Examples of common viral infections include bronchiolitis and croup.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections, such as acute tonsillitis, are also very common in the upper respiratory tract. Bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract, such as pneumonia, are much less common.

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but mild upper respiratory tract infections often don't need any antibiotic treatment.

Examples of more serious bacterial infection include epiglottitis and pneumonia.

Asthma

Asthma can start at any age but most often starts during childhood. Symptoms may include wheezing and shortness of breath (or difficulty taking deep breaths), which may particularly occur after exercise or at night. Severe asthma causes much more severe symptoms, including difficulty with breathing that may need urgent medical treatment.

Allergies

Allergies are a common cause of breathing problems. They most often affect the upper respiratory tract and cause a clear discharge from the nose, sneezing and sore eyes. Allergies may also affect the lower respiratory tract and cause asthma symptoms.

Other causes

Other causes of breathing difficulties in children include:

• Breathing in cigarette smoke.

• Long-term conditions that affect the respiratory tract, such as cystic fibrosis.

• Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as a small piece of food or any other object.

If the child has inhaled something which is now blocking the airway - this is an emergency.

They may suddenly become upset or start to choke, or they may collapse. If the child can cough, encourage them to clear the blockage themselves. If they cannot do this and you know how to perform basic life support for choking situations, you should start immediately and ask someone else (if possible) to call the emergency services.

Heart attacks

It is very rare for a child or young person to have a heart attack but it can happen. When this occurs it is usually when they already have a congenital heart problem.

What are the symptoms of breathing difficulties in children?

The common symptoms caused by breathing (respiratory) difficulties in children include:

A runny nose, stuffy nose, blocked nose and sneezing

These symptoms are often caused by a cold but may also be caused by an allergy.

Cough

Most coughs clear up within 2-3 weeks and are caused by a viral infection.
Sometimes the cough may go on for a few weeks after the infection has gone but there are no other symptoms and this is also harmless.

If a cough is really bad, (that is, it occurs with severe breathing problems or it won't go away within the usual expected time) then there may be a more serious cause.

As well as common viral infections, a cough may be caused by other conditions such as croup, bronchiolitis or whooping cough. These often cause particular sounds or types of cough.

A cough that won't go away may be due to asthma or another long-term condition such as cystic fibrosis.

Coloured mucus

Yellow, green or brown mucus usually means there is a respiratory tract infection.

A high temperature (fever)

This can be a sign of infection. A high temperature can make the child irritable or drowsy. Often getting their temperature down will make them feel much better.

Wheezing

This is a high-pitched sound that comes from the chest when the child is breathing out. This is most often caused by respiratory infections or asthma.

Aches and pains

Children with respiratory tract infections often complain of aches and pains in their arms and legs and they often have a headache. They might also have chest pains.

How do I know when my child is really unwell?

The signs that the child is very unwell with breathing (respiratory) difficulties that might need urgent medical treatment include:

Breathing rate

An increase in the rate of breathing may be the first symptom of breathing difficulty. Count the number of breaths (in and out is one breath) in one minute. The breathing rate is too fast if it is more than:

• 60 breaths per minute for a baby aged 0-5 months.

• 50 breaths per minute for an infant aged 6-12 months.

• 40 breaths per minute for a child aged 1-5 years.

• 20-30 breaths per minute for children of school age. The normal breathing rate gradually gets less as a child gets older. So, for example, a breathing rate above 30 would be too high for a child aged 6 years but a breathing rate above 20 would be too high for a teenager aged 16 years.

Increased effort of breathing

This includes the chest sinking in below the neck and below the breastbone (sternum). The ribs may also look as if they are standing out when the child is breathing in, because the muscles between them are being pulled in hard.

Flaring of the nostrils

The nostrils widen when breathing. This also shows that more effort is needed for breathing.

Grunting

A grunting sound is made when breathing out. This is the body trying to get more air into the lungs.

Colour

The skin may seem pale or a bluish colour. The lips and tongue may also appear blue. These changes mean the child isn't getting enough oxygen from breathing.

Drowsiness

Low oxygen levels (less oxygen being carried by red blood cells) may cause the child to become very tired and difficult to keep awake.

Stridor

This is a high-pitched noise when the child breathes in. It is caused by an obstruction to the flow of air in the upper airway. The causes for this include croup or epiglottitis.

When should you seek medical advice and treatment?

Many children's coughs and breathing (respiratory) problems improve after about 10 days, sometimes much sooner. You should take the child to the doctor if they:

• Seem to be getting much more unwell.

• Have any symptom that won't go away.

• Have problems feeding and drinking.

• Have signs of becoming very dry (dehydrated) such as a very dry tongue.

• Are coughing up mucus that is dark brown or bloody.

• Are becoming more breathless.

• Already have a diagnosed lung condition such as asthma.

• Have any condition that reduces their defence against infection (weak immune system).

Babies and young children can become very unwell very quickly so it is even more important to keep a close eye on them and obtain medical advice if you have any concerns.

What are the treatments for breathing difficulties in children?

Most infections will clear up by themselves. However, there are lots of things you can do to help the child be more comfortable and to help them to feel better more quickly. These include:

Encourage them to drink as much as they can

This often means drinking little and often. Cool water is best. Drinking lots of fluid will help to:

• Prevent their body becoming too dry (dehydrated).

• Keep them cool.

• Keep the mucus moist and easier to cough up.

• Stop their throat from feeling really dry and sore.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen

Only give paracetamol or ibuprofen if the child is distressed by a high temperature (fever). They can be used together if needed.

Make sure your child is in a comfortable and calm environment

This includes giving reassurance, keeping them cool and keeping them well away from any cigarette smoke.

Medicines

Unless the child has asthma or any other ongoing breathing (respiratory) condition, the only medicines needed are usually paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Most infections in children are caused by viruses and so antibiotics aren't needed. Cough medicines don't work and are not recommended.

Preventing the infection spreading to other people

This is very important, especially if you have other children. Important measures to reduce the spread of infection include:

• Make sure everyone washes their hands regularly.

• Use clean disposable tissues to remove any infected mucus when your child has been sneezing or coughing. Then put the used tissue in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly.