Signs of respiratory distress in an infant or toddler

This video demonstrates some of the findings a physician looks for when an infant or toddler is in respiratory distress. Trouble breathing, from whatever cause, leading to respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in this age group. It is therefore important for parents to look for signs, often subtle, that their child is having difficulty breathing. In addition to fast breathing (tachypnea), retractions (ribs showing when breathing) and abdominal breathing, other signs that are not shown in this video are common. These include head bobbing, grunting and nasal flaring, all which can occur when the infant or toddler is taking a labored breath. Turning blue, or cyanosis, is a late finding, heralding impending respiratory collapse…Richard R Samuel, MD Family Practice and Urgent Care Hayden, ID USA