Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children

Shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious illness.

Your child is having some difficulty breathing. Do any of the following other statements describe your child?

• When my child breathes, I can see his nostrils flare, his belly move out, his ribs stick out, and/or his neck muscles tighten.

• When my child breathes in, he makes a whistling or high-pitched noise.

• He grunts when he breathes out.

• His lips, mouth or fingertips are blue.

• He can not talk or can not finish a sentence without stopping to take a breath.

• He is drooling more than he usually would.

• His face, lips, eyes, or neck is swollen.

• He is scratching or has hives.

• He is sleepier than usual for the time of day.

• He is not moving normally.

• He is not answering questions normally or seems confused.

  Yes, one or more of these statements describes my child.

  No, none of those statements describe my child.