Asthma Symptoms and Treatment in Infants

Asthma is difficult to diagnose in babies but many times it is an inherited condition which makes diagnosing easier. Most pediatricians are hesitant to give a diagnosis of asthma in an infant, hoping the symptoms disappear without medicating the child for years to come. It is more important to treat the symptoms of asthma rather than look for a diagnosis.

Definition

Asthma is a medical condition that causes constriction and inflammation of the airway passages.

Symptoms

The following list includes the major symptoms of asthma: wheezing, coughing which becomes worse at night, and rapid or shallow breathing.

Diagnosing

It is difficult to diagnose asthma in babies because their lungs are not fully developed and their airways are small. Infants are also unable to participate in tests which determine lung function. Most of the time, babies with asthma symptoms really suffer from bronchitis which is caused by an upper respiratory infection. When a viral infection is the case, the infant coughs or spits up yellow or green mucus and the symptoms will clear up with no lasting side effects. If the symptoms reoccur on a regular basis, then the condition is most likely, asthma.

Treatment

The symptoms of asthma are treatable. Babies are prescribed nebulizers which contain medication that the baby inhales, providing breathing relief. An infant nebulizer is equipped with a face mask and hose which allows the baby to breath in the medication. Another type of nebulizer has a spacer with a small face mask that connects directly to an inhaler. When the inhaler is pressed, the medication travels through the spacer to the child's mouth and nose.

Medications

There are basically two types of asthma medications. One is for long term use to prevent or minimize asthma attacks. The other is a quick fix for asthma symptoms. Some children need to take anti-inflammatory medication every day to stop asthma symptoms before they start.

The most used long acting anti-inflammatory medications are Intal,Tilade, Accolate, Singulair, and Zyflo, Aerobid, Beclovent, Azmacort, Beclovent, Vanceril, Pulmicort Respulses, and Pulmicort Turbuhaler. These are just a few of the medicines used on a regular basis to stop the occurrence of asthma symptoms.

Some other common asthma medications for fast relief from asthma symptoms are: Albuterol (Proventil and Ventolin), Metaproterenol (Alupent and Metaprel), Pirbuterol (Bricanyl and Brethaire), and Terbutaline (Maxair Inhaler). These medications are used when having an asthma attack. These medications relax the airways within minutes, making breathing easier.

Over the counter asthma medicines are also available but it is best to check with your pediatrician before giving your baby any type of medication. The pediatrician will develop a treatment plan that is unique to your infant's symptoms.

Risks

Inhaled asthma medication has few risk factors or side effects for infants.

Resources

• Wheezing and Asthma in Infants
• Asthma and Babies
• Aim for Healthy Lungs