Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children: Difference between revisions

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== How can Physiotherapy help?<ref name=":0" /> ==
== How can Physiotherapy help?<ref name=":0" /> ==
The goals of physiotherapy is to help increase tidal volumes, help clear secretions, help improve oxygenation around the body and manage ventilation.
The goals of physiotherapy is to help increase tidal volumes, help clear secretions, help improve oxygenation around the body and manage ventilation.
* Manual techniques such as vibrations and percussion
* Manual techniques such as vibrations and [[Respiratory assessment- percussion|percussion]]
* Postural drainage  
* Postural drainage  
* Saline and Suctioning (saline helps clear secretions)
* Saline and Suctioning (saline helps clear secretions)

Revision as of 18:47, 3 March 2019

Original Editor - Jagunath Selvanathan

Original Editor - Jagunath Selvanathan Top Contributors - {{Special:Contributors/Template:Jagunath Selvanathan}}

Top Contributors - Jagunath Selvanathan, Romy Hageman, Kim Jackson and Yvonne Yap  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

One of the most common reasons an infant is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit is due to Respiratory distress[1]. Respiratory distress can be recognised as one or more signs of increased work of breathing which will be discussed below.

Signs and symptoms and their causes[2][3][edit | edit source]

  • Weak cry
    • sign of fatigue and shows the child is prioritising energy expenditure for work of breathing.
  • Grunting
    • Increase positive end expiatory pressure (PEEP) by closing of the glottis (therefore increasing Functional Residual Capacity (FRC).
  • Tachypnoea
    • Unable to increase Tidal volume and therefore increase Respiratory rate.
  • Cricoid Tug/Tracheal tug
    • Increase pull of diaphragm is transmitted as a downwards tug on the trachea during inspiration.
  • Sternal recession
    • Due to high negative pressures on inspiration.
  • Sub-costal and intercostal recession
    • Due to high negative pressures on inspiration.
  • Nasal flaring
    • To help increase the diameter of the airway.
  • Head bopping
    • Due to high use of sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles.
  • Clammy
    • Due to high energy expenditure to breathe therefore sweating to regulate temperature.
  • Pallor
    • Not oxygenating effectively.
  • Cyanosis
    • Dependent on haemoglobin and peripheral circulation-indicates poor oxygen saturation levels.
  • Stridor
    • Partial obstruction of upper trachea.
  • Wheeze
    • Narrowing or obstruction of the small airways by secretions or inflammation.
  • Lethargy
    • Being breathless and working hard causes discomfort and agitation. Also reserved energy fro work of breathing.
  • Tachycardia
    • to assist in oxygen transport.
  • Hypoxemia
    • reduced ability to oxygenate.
  • Hypercarbia
    • reduced ability to expire carbon dioxide.

How can Physiotherapy help?[1][edit | edit source]

The goals of physiotherapy is to help increase tidal volumes, help clear secretions, help improve oxygenation around the body and manage ventilation.

  • Manual techniques such as vibrations and percussion
  • Postural drainage
  • Saline and Suctioning (saline helps clear secretions)
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Central Lavage
  • Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
  • Use of various types of equipment to assist in respiratory care e.g. Acapella / PEP mask / Cough Assist devices.
  • Education and advice on self management.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Reuter S, Moser C, Baack M. Respiratory distress in the newborn. Pediatrics in review. 2014 Oct;35(10):417.
  2. ↑ Taussig LM, Landau LI. Pediatric respiratory medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2008.
  3. ↑ Edwards MO, Kotecha SJ, Kotecha S. Respiratory distress of the term newborn infant. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2013 Mar; 14(1):29-36; quiz 36-7.
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