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Ask An Expert: Asthma and Newborns
Question:
What are the symptoms of asthma in a newborn?
Answer:
We do not make the diagnosis of asthma in newborns, as babies do not develop this condition at such a young age. Still, some parents may worry that their newborn baby has asthma, especially if asthma runs in the family.
It can be common for parents to think their newborn has a breathing problem because the normal breathing pattern of newborns is so different from adults. Infants do not breathe the same as adults because their lungs and respiratory system are not yet mature. While adults usually breathe 16 to 20 times per minute, infants normally breathe two to three times as fast (40 to 60 times each minute). Therefore, it can appear that newborns are breathing "fast" when they are really are breathing normally.
In addition, infants can have funny breathing patterns, doing what is called "periodic breathing," where they breathe faster for several seconds and then have short pauses in their breathing. As long as the fast breaths or pauses only last 10 seconds or so, this is quite normal. Newborns also can make strange breathing sounds, such as grunting or squeaking, which usually are brief and heard when the baby is upset, waking from sleep, and sometimes when eating. If these sounds seem to be heard all the time, are noticed when the baby is in certain positions, are not brief, or are associated with even faster than usual breathing, it may mean there is a breathing problem and should be mentioned to your pediatrician.
On the other hand, infants can have some breathing problems that make parents think about asthma. For example, bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the lungs that can cause fast breathing, wheezing, cough, and low-grade fever. However, bronchiolitis is not asthma, and not every infant who has bronchiolitis will develop asthma later in life. Some babies with heart conditions or problems with the nasal passages or breathing tubes may present with coughing, fast breathing and wheezing, symptoms that are common with asthma.
If you are concerned about your newborn's breathing, you should discuss this with the pediatrician. The doctor will want to examine your baby closely to check his or her breathing pattern and look for any signs of infection or heart or breathing problems.
Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.
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| Last updated: | January 24, 2007 |
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