If a child is having difficulty breathing, it can be scary for everyone involved. The medical term for difficulty breathing is dyspnea. Although some minor colds and viruses can cause pediatric dyspnea, the UC Davis Children's Hospital states that children who experience labored breathing may need immediate and insistent treatment. If your child is not getting enough air or exhibits changes in color, contact emergency personnel immediately.
Symptoms
If your child is having difficulty breathing, the symptoms are usually noticeable. He may be wheezing or grunting. You could see him breathing quickly or deeply enough to pull the rib muscles under his ribs according to Kids Health. Usually, if a child is not breathing well, he will appear agitated and will be visibly shaken. Labored breathing can be frightening for children. If the child gets himself crying and worked up, it can further the symptoms of dyspnea. Try to relax the child and help him concentrate on breathing.
Causes
Pediatric breathing problems can be caused by a variety of things. Pneumonia is a big cause of labored breathing and is usually accompanied with cough, chills and fever. Asthma can also cause dyspnea and is usually characterized by wheezing. Children's Health Partners describes the child's breathing as fast or hard when asthma may be the cause. Croup may be the most terrifying sound from your child during labored breathing. A sign that croup is involved is if it is acute and in the middle of the night. According to the Mayo Clinic, croup is usually attended with a loud bark from the child.
Diagnosis
To diagnosis the cause of your child's labored breathing, you must bring her to be evaluated by a doctor. A pediatrician is very tuned into children and will know what to look for in your child. She may ask a series of questions and order tests that could help find an answer. The University of Maryland Medical Center says these tests could involve a chest x-ray or a CT scan of the chest. Regardless of the tests ordered, the pediatrician will systematically evaluate the heart, lungs and upper airways for any major problems.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the labored breathing. In severe cases, dyspnea may require hospitalization. If the cause is minor, you may just have to keep a watch on your child or give him medicine for treatment. Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, and children with asthma may be given an inhaler for certain situations. Continue to watch your child after treatment to ensure that the breathing gets better and does not increase.
Considerations
Never dismiss a child's labored breathing. Care should be taken to ensure that the difficulty in breathing is not a serious situation. If a child is choking, she will not be able to breath at all, and immediate attention will be needed. It may be wise to learn how to respond to emergency situations such as choking in case this happens to your child. First aid classes are often available at local hospitals.
