Breathing Difficulty

Breathing difficulty in children can be caused by a variety of conditions, including

• Respiratory infections (bronchiolitis, pneumonia, pleural effusion, empyema)
• Asthma
• Foreign object aspiration
• Suppurative lung diseases like cystic fibrosis
• Interstitial lung diseases
• Heart diseases

Other associated symptoms:

Children with breathing difficulty may exhibit associated symptoms such as wheezing, rapid breathing, chest retractions or noisy breathing. In severe cases, a child may develop a bluish tint to the skin, indicating inadequate oxygenation that needs immediate attention.

After detailed assessment by a qualified healthcare professional and appropriate investigations, the cause of breathing difficulty can usually be identified. The further management depends on the underlying cause.