Infant Breathing Porblems - Wheezing and Asthma

Any breathing problem your child has can be scary, and in infants, even more so. If you have a family history of asthma, you may be concerned that your infant will develop it, too.

While it is important to get a diagnosis if your child has asthma, it is more important to make sure your infant gets immediate attention for any breathing problems he has. What is asthma, and how is it diagnosed in infants?

Kidshealth.org defines asthma as a “chronic disease of the lungs that causes the airways to swell, tighten, and produce excess mucus.” But since asthma is not the only condition that has these symptoms, especially in children under age 5, it can be difficult to diagnose. It is also difficult to measure how well a baby’s lungs function, since they cannot take diagnostic tests the way older children can.

Other common problems that cause airways to swell can mimic asthma, too, so what appears to be coughing and wheezing relate do asthma may well be just a viral infection.

Bronchiolitis, which causes airways to swell and infants to have trouble breathing, presents like asthma: rapid breathing, coughing, wheezing, and fever. Foreign objects or food inhaled into the lungs can cause wheezing, too, as can being a premature infant or having cystic fibrosis.

So, just wheezing isn’t enough to diagnose asthma. Even if wheezing occurs regularly, your pediatrician may not diagnose asthma. Time and tests are often needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Because a misdiagnosis may disrupt the life of the infant and his family unnecessarily, doctors often wait on diagnoses.

However, doctors know that persistent asthma, uncontrolled over time, can damage the lungs and that using anti-inflammatory medicine early can prevent that damage.

If your child has had an episode of wheezing more than once – with or without illness – has coughing that gets worse at night, or any other breathing problems you’re concerned about, check with your doctor about the possibility of asthma. He may ask if exposure to cold air, allergens, or smoke makes the symptoms worse.

Your doctor might prescribe inhaled asthma medications even without a firm diagnosis of asthma, depending on the severity and frequency of the wheezing. Your infant may be prescribed medicine only when he is having symptoms. Be sure that anyone who takes care of your infant knows the medication routine and when and how to use it.

Breathing problems in infants are scary, but work closely with your pediatrician to find a diagnosis and treatment, and don’t be hesitant to ask as many questions as you have. Knowledge is power, after all.