Little Lungs, Big Care: A Guide to Children’s Breathing Issues

Breathing issues can be dangerous and even life-threatening in children. Parents should know the right thing to do if or when it happens to their kids.

We sat down with Pharmacist Nazatul Amira Hamzah from Primabumi Sdn Bhd to learn more about children’s breathing issues.

Nazatul is a qualified pharmacist with 10 years of experience in pharmacy practice involving both hospital and community settings.

She currently holds the position of Pharmacist and Key Account Manager at a renowned pharmaceutical company in Kuala Lumpur.

Here’s her advice on breathing issues in children and what parents should do.

My child is having a cough. He seems to a little difficulty in breathing and I could hear some noises similar to whistling sound when he breathes. Does it mean he has asthma?

The sound you described might be wheezing.

This is the whistling sound from a person’s chest when they breathe out through narrowed airway passages in their lungs.

Wheezing is very common among those with asthma.

However, you should not exclude other respiratory conditions until a doctor performs a physical examination to confirm the diagnosis.

What are possible issues that caused my child’s breathing problem?

The following table outlines some of the most common respiratory conditions in children.

How does my child’s respiratory issue get diagnosed?

Your doctor may ask your child to take a breathing test using a device called a spirometer.

It assesses your child’s lung function based on how much air your child can take in and expel from their lungs.

The test also measures how quickly and easily they can do so.

Your child may also need to undergo a chest X-ray to help the doctor assess the condition of your child’s lungs.

What kind of treatment might my child receive?

Depending on your child’s diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe a combination of medicines for a certain period of time.

For asthma, certain medicines are meant to be used lifelong.

Inhalers are the most common one for breathing-related conditions.

They are handheld devices that deliver medication (in the form of fine sprays or powder) straight to the lungs. They may contain a bronchodilator, a corticosteroid, or both.

A bronchodilator works by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and opening up the airways to ease breathing.

A corticosteroid, on the other hand, reduces inflammation, swelling, and mucus production in the airways.

Other than inhalers, these medicines are also available as liquids, tablets, and nebules (solutions to be used with nebulisers).

In some cases, your doctor may give your child montelukast, a medicine that helps prevent and treat asthma symptoms and breathing difficulties caused by allergies.

Your child will need to take montelukast once a day in the evening for a short period alongside their inhaler or other asthma medications.

Nebulisers are devices that deliver medication directly to a person’s lungs.

It is often used by children with severe breathing problems or those who can’t use inhalers.

Could you give some examples of the medicines you mentioned above?

Absolutely! The table below lists some of the most commonly prescribed medicines to help with breathing issues in children.

*The table above serves as general guidance only. Please consult your healthcare professional before starting any treatment for your child.

My doctor told me to prepare my child’s blue inhaler all the time. Why is that so?

The blue inhaler is a salbutamol-only inhaler that is sometimes called a ‘rescue inhaler’.

Salbutamol is a short-acting bronchodilator that helps to open up your child’s airways immediately upon inhalation.

In an emergency where someone’s lungs become dangerously narrow, having the blue inhaler could save their life.

Therefore, always ensure your child’s inhaler is functioning well and stored properly.

Get your child a new inhaler each time their old one becomes faulty or expired.

You might also want to keep an extra inhaler in their school bag and in the car.

My child is 3 years old, and they struggle to use their inhaler properly. What should I do?

Your child should learn and practise using their inhaler with the right technique for it to work properly.

If they’re unable to do this, you can get a device called a holding chamber, sometimes known as ‘spacer’, to be used with the inhaler.

A spacer helps your child breathe in the medicine from the inhaler easily and optimally.

How do I make sure my child’s breathing problem does not impact their daily life and social activities?

Let your child’s teacher or caregiver know about their breathing issue.

Don’t forget to include any other useful information such as precautionary measures and emergency treatment. 

Make sure your child takes their medicines properly as instructed by their doctor. 

And ensure your child has their rescue inhaler with them all the time.

Can my child still go on trips and participate in sports?

Yes, they can once their breathing issue has stabilised.

However, you’re strongly advised to closely monitor your child’s condition and treatment.

It’s also important to ensure your child doesn’t overexert themselves or engage in activities that may worsen their health.

Apart from medications, what else can I do to prevent my child from having breathing issues?

Here are some useful preventative measures to protect your child’s respiratory health:

First, avoid contact with allergens and pollutants as much as possible.

These include any substances that can cause an allergic reaction such as pollen, dust, animal dander, cigarette smoke and strong fragrances.

In addition, be sure to promote a healthy indoor environment that has good ventilation and is free from those allergens.

You can also ask your doctor about possibly getting your child vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia.

Finally, take care of your child’s respiratory health through proper nutrition and physical activities.

Source: Nazatul Amira Hamzah, Pharmacist at Primabumi Sdn Bhd

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.

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