Acute Respiratory Distress in Children

Fewer things are as upsetting as finding out your child has a health issue. And when it’s something as serious as respiratory distress, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with worry.

But what exactly is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)? What causes it? What are some of the signs that your child may have it, and what can you do to help?

Because we understand how much you care for your family, we are here to offer answers.

Types of Acute Respiratory Distress

There are two types of acute respiratory distress:

Hypoxemic: This is what happens when there is not enough oxygen in a person’s bloodstream. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. This is a serious condition that may end up affecting vital organs, such as the brain and liver.

Hypercapnic: This occurs when a person has too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Typically CO2 is expelled from the lungs when a person exhales during regular breathing. When ARDS prevents the body from expelling CO2, the extra amount in the bloodstream can cause damage to cells and the nervous system. It can also cause asphyxiation.

These conditions can be either acute (they are the result of an emergency) or chronic (an ongoing condition that requires treatment for the long-term). This blog discusses exclusively acute respiratory distress.

What Causes Respiratory Distress?

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is caused when there is fluid buildup in the lungs. This results in the patient being unable to receive enough oxygen in his or her lungs, which in turn affects internal organs.

Children who are more likely to develop acute respiratory distress have usually also suffered from one of the following:

Injury to the lungs
Head injury
Asthma
Pneumonia
Cystic fibrosis
Muscular dystrophy
Being otherwise critically ill

The most common causes in newborns are sepsis or pneumonia. Asthma, pneumonia, and croup are often the culprits for ARDS in toddlers.

Signs of Respiratory Distress in Children

The signs and symptoms of acute respiratory distress are hard to miss, including:

Confusion
Dizziness
Sitting up and leaning forward
If laying down, stretching neck and lifting up nose
Drooling
Troubled breathing
Breathing through the mouth
Chronic shortness of breath
Tachycardia (a fast heartbeat while resting)
Wheezing
Skin changes color
Loss of consciousness

If your child is suffering from any of these symptoms, call 911. Do not wait. Acute respiratory distress can cause long-term disabilities, and it’s one of the most common causes of pediatric cardiac arrest. Early detection can significantly improve a child’s prognosis.

Treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress in Children

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a medical emergency and should only be treated at a hospital.

Contact Sonas for Pediatric Home Care Services in Florida

When a child is diagnosed with a serious condition, his or her entire family is affected. And depending on your specific circumstances, you may need additional help in providing the best care possible for your son or daughter.

At Sonas Home Health Care, our goal is to build relationships based on trust. We understand that looking into home health care services can be a worrisome experience, especially when the care is for your child.

If you are considering pediatric home health care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.