Pediatric Respiratory Care

Breathing problems are among the most common reasons children visit a doctor. Infections, allergies and asthma can all affect a child’s lungs and airways, and symptoms may worsen quickly, especially in infants. Pediatric respiratory care aims to find the cause early and control symptoms so that children can sleep, play and study normally.

Conditions we evaluate and treat

• Asthma and recurrent wheezing
• Bronchiolitis in infants
• Pneumonia and other chest infections
• Chronic or recurrent cough
• Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and tonsil or adenoid problems
• Breathing difficulty in newborns and premature babies
• Noisy breathing and croup

How we assess breathing problems

The doctor checks breathing rate, oxygen levels and chest movement, listens to the lungs and reviews triggers such as dust, smoke, pollen, cold air or infections. Chest X-ray, blood tests or other investigations are advised only when needed. Treatment may include inhalers or nebulisation, oxygen support, antibiotics for bacterial infections and allergy control, along with hospital admission for children with significant breathing difficulty.

Living well with asthma or allergy

• Use inhalers with a spacer or mask exactly as taught
• Keep a written asthma action plan and follow-up schedule
• Reduce exposure to smoke, dust, mould and strong smells at home
• Keep vaccinations, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, up to date

When to seek urgent help

Go to the hospital immediately if your child is breathing fast, pulling in the chest or neck while breathing, unable to speak or feed, has bluish lips, or does not improve after the usual reliever medicine.