Children naturally breathe at a faster rate than adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults generally breathe 8 to 16 times per minute, while normal newborns may breathe up to once per second. In children, rapid breathing can be a sign of a serious medical condition. However, it is not always a cause for concern and may occur in the absence of an underlying medical problem. Consult your child's pediatrician if you have any concerns regarding her respiratory health.
Causes
The causes of rapid breathing in children vary considerably. According to Dr. William Sears, newborns under two months of age frequently experience brief episodes of rapid breathing. These transient episodes of panting generally remit with no treatment and do not require medical evaluation. In toddlers and older children, rapid, deep breathing can signal anxiety, panic or the onset of a tantrum. When rapid breathing is shallow and accompanied by symptoms such as chest congestion, coughing, wheezing or hoarseness, it may be a sign of asthma or a severe respiratory infection.
Treatment
The treatments for rapid breathing in children vary widely and depend on the cause and severity of the issue. Hyperventiliaton related to anxiety has no specific treatment; parents should reassure the child and seek counseling if the behavior continues. Tachypnea, or rapid shallow breathing, may relate to a medical condition such as asthma, bronchiolitis or pneumonia. According to the NIH, a physician may treat these conditions with bronchiodilators or oxygen. If an infection is responsible for the change in a child's respiratory pattern, he may receive antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Misconceptions
Many parents are concerned about rapid breathing in children because they assume that it always signifies a serious medical condition. In reality, rapid breathing is only rarely a cause for concern unless it is accompanied by other symptoms. Understand that children naturally breathe faster than adults; it is unreasonable to compare a newborn's respiratory rate to your own. Nevertheless, it is prudent to consult a physician any time your child experiences symptoms that concern you.
Warning
Several symptoms act as "red flag" warning signs for severe respiratory problems. According to Dr. Sears, some children develop rapid, labored breathing with a "caved in" chest; these symptoms signify a life-threatening respiratory infection and warrant immediate medical attention. If your child's breathing seems to be alarmingly shallow or labored, or if it is accompanied by a high-pitched musical wheezing sound, seek emergency care. Other signs of a serious problem include bluish skin discoloration, high fever and lethargy.
Considerations
Your child's rapid breathing may need more immediate expert evaluation if she has a history of certain medical conditions. For example, rapid breathing may precede the onset of an asthma attack, so your child may need quick medical attention if she has experienced asthma before. Your pediatrician may also advise you to seek emergency care for rapid breathing if your child has cystic fibrosis or was born prematurely. If your child has special needs, your pediatrician may advise you to report rapid breathing on an emergency basis.
