Your Newborn's Breathing Problems: Q&A for New Parents

Becoming new parents is a wonderful adventure, but it often comes with its share of big and small worries. Among these, your baby's respiratory health is certainly one of the most common concerns. Seeing your little one struggle to breathe can generate a lot of anxiety. But what are the signs not to underestimate? And what can you do?

To shed light on this delicate topic, we've gathered insights from experts like Professor Renato Cutrera, Head of Pulmonology at the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, and Dr. Katherina Zavatta, representing MIR Medical International Research, a leading Made in Italy spirometry company.

Newborn Breathing Problems: Answers to New Parents' Most Frequent Questions

We know that having a newborn with breathing difficulties can be a source of great stress. In this section, we answer some of the most common questions new parents ask about their little ones' breathing.

Bronchiolitis, Asthma, Pneumonia: What Are the Most Common Respiratory Problems in Newborns?

The respiratory tracts of newborns and young children can be subject to various issues:

• Bronchiolitis: Often a cause for hospitalization in the first year of life, fortunately, prophylaxis is now available.
• Asthmatic bronchitis
• Bronchial asthma
• Pneumonia: In more serious cases.

How to Tell if Your Baby Has Difficulty Breathing: Signs Not to Ignore

Newborns can't tell us how they feel, so it's crucial to observe their signals carefully. Remember that young children have a higher oxygen demand than adults because they are growing, and consequently, they breathe faster. Here are some red flags:

• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing): You can notice this by observing the breathing rate and chest movement.
• Retractions: You'll see indrawing at the jugular notch and between the ribs during breathing.
• Nasal flaring: The nostrils visibly open and close, especially in very young newborns.
• Changes in skin color: The skin may appear pale or cyanotic (bluish/dark) due to lack of oxygen.
• Feeding difficulties: The baby struggles to nurse or drink.

Why Does My Baby Have Respiratory Problems? Possible Causes

The causes of respiratory problems in newborns can be diverse:

• Family history: A genetic predisposition can play an important role.
• Infections: Viral or bacterial infectious episodes are frequent.
• Allergies: These can trigger problems like asthma.
• Pollutants: These can be external, such as smog, fine dust, ozone, and other agents present in urban air, or internal, such as cigarette smoke, often present at home due to parents' habits. The latter represents a real "domestic enemy" for newborns, who suffer the consequences from their very first days of life.

Which Tests Can Help Identify a Problem? The Importance of Spirometry

From the age of 6, a simple and non-invasive test like spirometry can provide valuable information. This test measures the amount of air the child can inhale and exhale and the speed at which they do so, helping to understand if there are obstructions in the airways. Spirometry can also measure blood oxygen saturation, both day and night. In this article, we explained how spirometry is performed for children and what information it can provide about their respiratory health.

Can Childhood Respiratory Problems Be Cured?

The good news is that some conditions can resolve completely, such as asthmatic bronchitis in preschool children. Asthma, on the other hand, is a chronic disease, but effective therapies exist that allow patients to lead normal lives.

Many medications are administered by inhalation, and it's crucial for families to be adequately instructed on how to administer them and monitor the results. For a complete guide on how to manage your child's treatment plan, we invite you to read our dedicated article.

What to Do if You Have Concerns About Your Child's Breathing?

The first step is always to speak with your pediatrician. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend the necessary tests or specialist visits.

And to learn more about spirometry and how it's performed, we recommend watching the episode of the Check Up program aired on Rai 1. In this episode, Prof. Renato Cutrera and Dr. Katherina Zavatta from MIR Medical International Research (the leading Italian company in the spirometry sector) explained in detail the importance of this examination and demonstrated its practical execution with the MIR Spirolab spirometer.

Watch the episode on RaiPlay