If your baby or child’s pulse is fast or he has any of the following symptoms, it could mean he’s having trouble breathing:Respiratory distress is serious. Respiratory distress describes symptoms related to breathing problems. Sometimes these symptoms … , Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2004. Usually it is caused by infections, chronic illness or a blocked airway.

It is important to learn the signs of respiratory distress to know If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. Breathing rate. Call your doctor or 911, or get to the emergency room right away.KidsHealth: “How to Take Your Child’s Pulse.”American Academy of Pediatrics: “Ages & Stages,” “Signs and Symptoms of Fever,” “Fever,” “How to Take a Child’s Temperature,” “Screening and Treating Kids for High Blood Pressure: AAP Report Explained,” “Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.” There is also a powerful contraction of the muscles below the costal arch, between the ribs or on the collarbone. University of Rochester Medical Center: “Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children.”American Academy of Family Physicians: “Fever in Infants and Children,” “High Blood Pressure.”Mayo Clinic: “High Blood Pressure in Children.”National High Blood Pressure Education Program: “A Pocket Guide to Blood Pressure Measurement in Children.”American Heart Association: “Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home.”KidsHealth: “How to Take Your Child’s Pulse.”American Academy of Pediatrics: “Ages & Stages,” “Signs and Symptoms of Fever,” “Fever,” “How to Take a Child’s Temperature,” “Screening and Treating Kids for High Blood Pressure: AAP Report Explained,” “Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.” Always consult your child's healthcare provider for a diagnosis, but if your child An increase in the number of breaths per minute may indicate that a person … Children having difficulty breathing often show signs that they are having to work enough oxygen. In infants and babies, respiratory distress is indicated by the child's nostrils shaking violently when breathing. The signs of respiratory distress may resemble other problems or medical conditions. In addition, the nails and lips may become blue in colour. ©2020 University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, If your baby or child’s pulse is fast or he has any of the following symptoms, it could mean he’s having trouble breathing: Respiratory distress is serious. The initial approach to the pediatric patient in respiratory distress consists of three major components: general assessment of the child, recognition of respiratory distress, and intervention. Symptoms of pediatric respiratory distress can be somewhat easy to miss as a parent, especially if you have never seen a child struggling to breath before. American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians. how to respond appropriately: Other Answers On: Respiratory failure is the most common cause of cardiopulmonary arrest in the pediatric population; therefore, it is important for emergency providers to recognize respiratory distress quickly in children of all ages and intervene aggressively to prevent respiratory failure. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. University of Rochester Medical Center: “Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children.”American Academy of Family Physicians: “Fever in Infants and Children,” “High Blood Pressure.”Mayo Clinic: “High Blood Pressure in Children.”National High Blood Pressure Education Program: “A Pocket Guide to Blood Pressure Measurement in Children.”American Heart Association: “Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home.”THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. There can be many causes of respiratory distress in children. A child who was premature at birth or has been in the hospital for respiratory problems may be at greater risk. , Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2004. Older children usually realise that breathing is difficult. Below is a list of some of the signs that may indicate that your child is not getting RDS occurs most often in babies born preterm, affecting nearly all newborns who are born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians. An increase in the number of breaths per minute may indicate that a person … It means your child isn’t getting enough oxygen. hard to breathe or are not getting enough oxygen, indicating respiratory distress.

Also known as Hyaline Membrane Disease, Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Surfactant Deficiency Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common breathing disorder that affects newborns.