How sick is my child?

Having difficulty with breathing is one of the most common reasons why children and babies visit Accident and Emergency.

Breathing problems are more obvious in young children because being smaller they have smaller airways and it only takes a relatively small change in the size of the airway to result in problems. The smaller airways in young children in particular are also less developed and more prone to inflammatory changes as seen in bronchitis and then later with asthma.
Babies are also obligate nasal breathers for up to the first 6-9 months so what may seem to be simply a snuffly nose is much more difficult for them to deal with. There are other anatomical differences with regard to tongue size, tonsils and epiglottis that can also make a difference.

If you are concerned about your child it is important to look at the pattern of your child’s breathing.

Does he look comfortable?
How fast is he breathing per minute – more than 50 breaths/minute is becoming cause for concern • is the chest being drawn in as he breathes?
Is the abdomen pushed out as he breathes?
is the breathing noisy?
Does the nose flare when he breathes?

If his breathing continues to show any of these symptoms and he is distressed take him to A&E. If he seems comfortable see your doctor for some tests

The assessment of breathing is the B in ABC Fluids in/Fluids out - a simple method taught on the Is My Child Sick? seminar that can be used at home to determine the likelihood of serious illness.