Breathing problems in children
Breathing problems in children
Breathing problems in children can happen for a number of reasons. Some causes are mild and usually clear up on their own. Others can be more serious and need treatment from a healthcare professional.
It can feel extremely worrying if your child is wheezing or showing signs of difficulty breathing. It's important to always trust your instinct as a parent.
If your child appears well and their breathing problems improve after a short period of time, there is normally no need to worry.
If you're worried about your child
It can be distressing when you think your child is working harder to breathe. There are certain things to look out for, including if:
- they're sucking in their stomach under their ribcage
- it looks like they're sucking in the middle of their neck above their collarbone; this is known as tracheal tug
- they're making unusual noises like a grunting sound
- they're showing signs of see saw breathing; this is when the chest sucks in when inhaling and expands when exhaling
Always trust your instincts and seek medical attention if you're worried.
Babies breathe at a faster rate than adults and older children. It's normal for a newborn baby to pause slightly while breathing for a few seconds. They may also breathe quicker for a short period. By 6 weeks old, they should have a more regular breathing pattern.
If your baby is unwell, their breathing rate may increase for a longer period of time. You may also notice they are working harder to breathe, for example, when they are feeding. You should seek medical attention from a healthcare professional if your baby is too breathless to feed.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if your child:
- has lips or skin turning pale, blue or grey. On brown or black skin, this is easier to notice on the palms of their hands
- is struggling badly to breathe. They may make grunting noises or suck their stomach in under their ribcage
- is breathing fast, or their breathing stops or pauses
- is pulling in at the throat area, or their windpipe looks more prominent than usual
- is limp, floppy or not responding the way they normally do. They may find it hard to focus on you, or are harder to wake than usual
- has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (use the glass test from Meningitis Now to check for meningitis)
- is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C (101°F) or above, and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
- is under 3 months old with a temperature of 36°C (97°F) or below, and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
Contact your GP practice urgently if your child:
- is more short of breath than usual
- seems to be in pain when breathing in or coughing
- appears confused, dizzy or lightheaded
- feels sick or is being sick, for example they cannot keep food or fluids down
- is coughing up blood
- has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
- has a very high or low temperature, for example they feel hot or cold to the touch, or are shivering
- has a distinctive barking cough
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
When to get medical advice
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
Your child:
- has lips or skin that are turning pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of their hands
- has severe difficulty breathing – they may make grunting noises or suck their stomach in under their ribcage
- is breathing fast or stops or pauses
- is pulling in at their throat area or their windpipe is more prominent
- is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do – they may find it difficult to focus on you or are more difficult to wake up than usual
- has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (use the ‘glass test‘ from Meningitis Now)
- is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C (101°F) or above and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
- is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 36°C (97°F) or less and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
Contact your GP practice urgently if:
Your child:
- is more short of breath than usual
- looks to be in pain when breathing in or coughing
- appears to be confused, dizzy or lightheaded
- feels sick or is being sick – for example, they can’t keep food or fluids down
- is coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or is showing other signs of dehydration
- has a very high or low temperature – for example, they feel either hot or cold to touch or are shivering
- has a distinctive barking cough
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
Causes
Most breathing problems in children happen because of viral or bacterial infections. These infections are quite common, but it is worth remembering that not every breathing problem in a child comes from an infection.
Common causes include:
- Viral infections. These are behind most upper respiratory infections, including the common cold and sore throat. Bronchiolitis and croup are also often caused by viruses.
- Bacterial infections. Conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis can lead to breathing difficulties in children.
- Asthma. This is a long term condition caused by inflammation in the airways of the lungs.
- Allergies. Conditions such as hay fever are a common trigger for breathing problems, and can also cause a runny nose, sneezing and sore eyes. Allergies can set off asthma symptoms as well.
Other causes can include:
- something blocking the airway, such as a small piece of food or a small toy
- long term health conditions that affect breathing, such as cystic fibrosis
- exposure to cigarette smoke