Asthma is a chronic disease whereby the lungs overreact to minor irritants that the lungs of those without asthma would not. The lungs may become narrow and swollen in response to cold air, dust, smoke, pets, or viral infection. Infants are especially vulnerable to asthma because their airways, or bronchial tubes, are much smaller than those of adults or older children. A minor irritation, such as a viral infection, may be enough to cause the airways to inflame, narrow and swell, and cause symptoms associated with asthma, explains the Nemours Foundation.
Breathing Problems
An infant with asthma may have wheezing or make whistling sounds upon breathing, caused by air flowing through constricted airways. Wheezing or panting may occur even during normal activities. Infants normally breathe anywhere between 30 to 60 breaths per minute for newborns, and 20 to 40 breaths per minute for older babies. An infant with asthma may breathe faster, at about 50 percent above normal, explains the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Coughing
An infant with asthma may have mild coughing that lasts for days to weeks, and then rapidly gets worse. Coughing may be worse at night or early morning and interfere with sleeping. Coughing that persists or keeps coming back may be a sign that an infant has asthma, and not just cold or bronchitis. Infantile symptoms of asthma also include frequent colds with a cough.
Lethargy and Crying
An asthmatic infant may become lethargic or disinterested in his usual activities, especially during an episode, or asthma attack. His crying sounds may become different or softer. He may refuse to feed or eat, and his sucking may become difficult.
Serious Emergency Symptoms
Mild symptoms of asthma such as wheezing or coughing may quickly become serious and life-threatening. In an asthma attack, an infant may breathe in slowly and deeply, and his ribs or stomach may appear to move in deeply and rapidly. On the other hand, the AAFA notes that the infant may breathe in rapidly to catch his breath, or his chest may no longer deflate when he exhales. His fingernails, lips and face may turn pale or blue. He may refuse to feed or eat altogether, and may not respond to his parents' call. Any symptom of asthma, whether mild or severe, is always serious, and a severe asthma attack requires immediate medical assistance.
