Asthma In Babies And Toddlers

The first signs of asthma in your baby may be triggered by a respiratory infection.

Asthma in babies and toddlers.

While we don t know what causes asthma we do know how to prevent asthma attacks or at least make them less severe. Asthma in toddlers often occurs due to the inflammation in the lungs and airways when they are exposed to triggers like airborne pollen or air pollution. Asthma is a serious disease causing wheezing difficulty breathing and coughing. However if their asthma symptoms are not under control within three to six months or if symptoms are severe and persistent or if the asthma episodes require emergency treatment it may be time to see an asthma specialist.

In infants and young children the primary symptoms of asthma wheezing and coughing may be caused by other conditions. About 16 of black children and 7 of white children have asthma. Bronchial tubes in infants toddlers and preschoolers are already small and narrow and colds and other illnesses can inflame airways making them even smaller and more irritated. Also standard diagnostic tests used to measure how well someone is breathing cannot be used easily or accurately with children under age 5.

Rapid or difficult breathing may show as exaggerated belly movement or flaring nostrils getting out of breath easily especially when playing chest tightness a young child may simply say their chest hurts or feels funny wheezing or whistling sound when. A cough that gets worse after a viral infection less energy during. Signs of asthma in children can include. Signs and symptoms of asthma in children include.

A baby has much. If your child ever develops a viral respiratory infection be sure to look for signs of asthma. A cough that doesn t go away which may be the only symptom coughing spells that happen often especially during play or exercise at night in cold air or while laughing or. Infants are usually treated with medication given by a nebulizer or with an inhaler using a spacer with a mask.

Childhood asthma can cause bothersome daily symptoms that interfere with play sports school and sleep. Many babies toddlers and preschoolers are treated for asthma by their pediatrician. Over a lifetime it can cause permanent lung damage. Medicines used to treat asthma symptoms in infants and toddlers are usually given in inhaled forms.

Emotions such as crying yelling and laughing or some strong reactions and stress can also trigger wheezing or coughing in babies.