What if your infant has asthma

The lungs of an infant do not function as efficiently as the lungs of an older child. As a result, a severe episode of asthma in an infant can quickly result in lung failure.

Things to be aware of

• Asthma is sometimes more difficult to diagnose in young infants compared to older children. Many "nonasthma" diseases can mimic asthma.
• Over one-third of children with asthma will have symptoms under 1 year of age, and more than half will have had symptoms by 2 years of age.
• Even in infants, there are many medicines available to treat asthma.

What to do

• Follow the appointment schedule for checking on your infant's asthma. Your physician will want to see your baby regularly, even if your baby is not having symptoms.
• If your infant has asthma symptoms, act quickly. Follow the asthma action plan that you and your physician developed for handling symptoms.
• Watch your infant closely for signs to seek emergency care. These signs include:
  • Breathing rate increases (to over 40 breaths per minute while the infant is sleeping). Count the number of breaths in 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
  • Suckling or feeding stops, or becomes difficult.
  • Skin between your infant's ribs is pulled tight.
  • Chest gets bigger.
  • Coloring changes (pale or red face; fingernails turn blue).
  • Cry changes in quality - becomes softer and shorter.
  • Nostrils open wider (nasal flaring).
  • Grunting.

Be prepared. Do not wait until the last minute to learn how to handle an emergency. Have an asthma action plan that includes how you'll get to your physician or hospital and who will watch your other children.

Concerns about medications

• Many of the same medicines used for older children and adults can be safely used in infants.
• Most asthma medications have no long-term effects, that is, their use during infancy will not cause problems when your child is older or becomes an adult.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics