Reasons for shortness of breath in 1-year-old baby

The breathing rates of adults and children are actually different, but many people don't know much about this common sense. So when they find that a child's breathing rate is relatively rapid, they will be very worried, fearing that the child must have been harmed by some disease. In response to such a worry, the following analysis will introduce what kind of problem it is if a baby under one year old has rapid breathing.

As long as it is within the normal value range, it is normal. Children's fast respiratory rate is determined by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of their respiratory tract. Children have small lung capacity, which is 6 times smaller than that of adults when calculated based on body surface area. Their tidal volume (the amount inhaled and exhaled during each quiet breathing) is also small, only 40%-50% of that of adults. However, their metabolic levels and oxygen requirements are relatively high. Calculated based on body surface area, children's energy metabolism is 1.6 times that of adults.

There is a high possibility that the child has pneumonia. It is recommended to take the child to the hospital for examination. Generally speaking, rapid breathing is the main manifestation of pneumonia. Shortness of breath refers to: infants <2 months old, breathing ≥60 times/minute; 2-12 months old, breathing ≥50 times/minute; 1-5 years old, breathing ≥40 times/minute. Therefore, pneumonia should be considered if symptoms of shortness of breath (nasal flaring, nodding breathing, three-depression sign, etc.) occur. To diagnose pneumonia, a doctor needs to listen to the lungs and take a chest X-ray.

If the baby's breathing frequency is within a normal range, then parents do not need to worry too much, because this is a normal phenomenon. However, during this process, you should also pay attention to observation. If the baby has other discomfort problems or other abnormal phenomena, it is recommended to go to the hospital for examination first.