Breathing problems in babies are very alarming to parents. In most cases, noisy or raspy breathing is harmless and not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, sometimes raspy breathing may be caused by a serious or life-threatening illness. Several diseases and conditions can cause raspy breathing, hoarseness or wheezing in babies. Consult your child's pediatrician promptly if you are concerned about his respiratory health.
Types
Raspy breathing can vary significantly in its severity, sound and cause. According to Dr. William Sears, many cases of noisy or "junky" breathing are caused by saliva, mucus or regurgitated breast milk and do not require medical attention. Raspy breathing may also be accompanied by hoarse breathing and a cough that sounds like a barking seal; this may be indicative of infection. The National Institutes of Health refer to another form of raspy breathing, known as stridor, which creates an abnormal, high-pitched musical sound.
Causes
Dozens of medical conditions can cause raspy breathing in a baby. According to Dr. Sears, chest congestion is a primary cause of raspy, noisy breathing in babies. In the absence of other "red-flag" symptoms, this form of raspy breathing is ultimately harmless and caused by trace amounts of saliva, mucus and milk in the baby's airway. True wheezing, which causes raspy inhalation sounds, "barking" cough, a caved-in chest and severely labored breathing, is a sign of an infection such as croup, whooping cough or bronchiolitis. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), raspy breath may also be caused by epiglottitis, a life-threatening inflammation that blocks the airway.
Treatment
The treatments for raspy breathing depend on its severity and the underlying cause. Dr. Sears recommends sitting a baby upright and allowing her to inhale steam from a humidifier if raspy breathing is her only symptom. If severe raspy breathing with a caved-in chest lasts for several hours with no improvement, or if she has other alarming symptoms, she may require emergency treatment for a respiratory infection. The AAP regards epiglottitis as a true medical emergency and recommends immediate treatment, which may include a breathing tube and high-dose antibiotics.
Misconceptions
Although raspy breathing may seem alarming in a newborn, it is not always a sign of a serious problem. Raspy breathing does not indicate that a child is completely incapable of inhaling; otherwise, he would produce no sound at all. Brief episodes of raspy breathing, which occur because of debris in the throat and chest, occur in almost all babies during some stage of development. These are not a cause for alarm.
Warning
If your child does show symptoms of a life-threatening illness, it is critical to seek emergency care. Some "red-flag" symptoms of a serious problem include progressively worsening breath sounds, or sounds that become higher upon each inhalation. If your baby is unable to cry or is becoming pale or blue, it is a sign that she is incapable of breathing and needs treatment within minutes to prevent fatal complications. The AAP also notes that babies may begin drooling excessively or may refuse to lie down if they have epiglottitis or another life-threatening ailment. If you are uncertain of the severity of your baby's condition, seek medical help.
