Infant Breathing Disorders

The lungs are usually one of the last organs to develop in a baby’s body in the prenatal stage. Some parts of the lungs actually do not develop until the final phase of pregnancy. Premature babies may not have enough time to allow lungs to develop fully, which can lead to a range of disorders.

Some symptoms include:

Typically, prematurity is the number one cause of respiration disorders in terms of lung development. If a baby’s lungs have not fully developed by the time that they are born, they may have difficulties with breathing.

Current State of Evidence

Cooling therapy is an evidence-based clinical treatment aimed at increasing an injured infant’s chance of survival without brain damage. Currently, though, evidence only relates to full term infants at 36 weeks gestation or later.

There are potential side effects on the developing premature baby with lung disease, and there has been evident protection by cooling therapy when a larger volume of the complex brain is developing.

Babies tend to be at higher risk of developing a respiratory disorder if they are born before lungs have fully matured. Therefore, babies placed under cooling therapy whose lungs have yet to develop fully, are at risk for complications.

Diagnosing Breathing Disorders in Babies

The doctor might diagnose a baby with a breathing disorder based on several signs and symptoms. Further, diagnostic tests can be carried out to help determine if the baby does have a breathing problem. Tests may include:

Typically, abnormal lung function is treated with oxygen therapy, medication, or mechanical ventilation. Medication can be administered while the baby undergoes cooling therapy.

The baby’s long-term outlook will depend on the type of breathing disorder, the symptom severity symptoms, and gestational age.