All about asthma in babies 

Did you know that up to 80% of children who suffer from asthma develop symptoms before the age of 5? 

Highlights:  

1. What is asthma and why is it difficult to diagnose young babies? 

2. What causes it, what are the symptoms and when to seek a specialist? 

3. Living with asthma: how important is the environment, what is the treatment and how to be prepared for attacks?  

Asthma is an inflammation of the airways that makes breathing difficult. It can affect children’s health from a very young age. But asthma in babies often looks quite different from that in children and adults. For example, one of the common symptoms of asthma in children is wheezing when breathing. In babies, however, there is not necessarily wheezing, and vice versa-the presence of wheezing does not mean that the baby is suffering from asthma.

This makes it more difficult to diagnose, and parents need to be prepared to recognize the symptoms so they can manage it correctly and respond quickly, preventing complications and ensuring the child develops normally.

Causes of asthma in infants

Scientists do not state with certainty what the specific reasons are why some babies develop asthma. However, there are risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing it: familial burden, smoking (both in the mother during pregnancy and smoking around the baby at an early age), and infections, especially in babies under 6 months. Therefore, the causes are divided into genetic and external.

Genetic factors

As with many other chronic diseases, genetics plays a key role in the development of asthma in infants. If one or both parents suffer from asthma, the risk in the child is significantly higher. The same applies to a predisposition to allergies and airway hypersensitivity, which can lead to asthma symptoms at an early age.

External factors

They are responsible for about 70% of asthma cases in infants. We have already mentioned the exposure to tobacco smoke right from the womb, and to this are added polluted air (especially in urban environments), various allergens like dust mites, pollen, molds, and respiratory infections.

Young babies have an underdeveloped immune system and are very vulnerable to all these external factors. Overexposure to them can cause inflammation and lead to asthma attacks.

Symptoms of asthma in babies

The first signs of asthma in a baby can be triggered by a respiratory infection. If the baby develops one, you should carefully watch for the presence of subsequent symptoms. In a baby, the airways are much smaller compared to an adult, and even minor inflammation can cause breathing problems.

The most common signs of asthma include:

• Difficult breathing. You may notice that your baby’s tummy moves more than normal, or the nostrils dilate when you breathe in.
• Shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing, even during normal activities.
• Wheezing or whistling of the lungs.
• Cough, especially at night or with physical exertion.
• Dizziness, restlessness, difficulty eating and sleeping.
• Frequently occurring respiratory infections.

Not all wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing are symptoms of asthma. But if you notice them and they are very persistent, not disappearing even after treatment, you should consult a pediatrician. If your baby has already been diagnosed with asthma and shows persistent symptoms, it is probably an asthma attack.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosing asthma in infants is difficult and requires a careful approach, as standard tests for adults and children may not always apply. The baby cannot describe his complaints, so parents should provide as much detailed information as possible regarding onset of symptoms, recurrence, reaction to certain foods or change in environment, exposure to allergens, and family history.

The pediatrician will perform a detailed examination and gather information about symptoms and family history. Consultation with a pediatric pulmonologist may also be necessary. Further investigations may include:

• Pulse oximetry to measure the level of oxygen in the blood.
• Chest X-ray to exclude other diseases.
• Allergy tests to identify potential irritants.

How is asthma treated in babies?

The main goal of treatment is not only to relieve symptoms but also to prevent acute attacks. It may include:

Inhalation using an inhaler or nebulizer

Inhalation therapy is the most used and effective method of relieving asthma symptoms. Through inhalation, medications are delivered directly into the airways where they act locally without burdening the rest of the body.

In babies, nebulizers are extremely useful as they provide a deeper and more even inhalation of the medication. Therefore, having a nebulizer at home is highly recommended, especially for frequent attacks or chronic asthma.

A suitable choice is the Zano Inspire,, which can be used both at home and on the road thanks to its small size. The nebulizer is effective and almost silent, which is why it is a frequent choice for the youngest patients who are sometimes more restless during inhalation, crying, and frightened by buzzing sounds. With Zano Inspire,, the noise level is comparable to that of a standard refrigerator.

It converts liquid medication into a fine aerosol and thus treats inflammation quickly and effectively, relieving symptoms and speeding up healing.

Medications: bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids

Asthma medications for infants are prescribed only by a pediatrician or pediatric pulmonologist. The most used medications are:

• Bronchodilators: in acute condition, they dilate the bronchi and relieve attacks of shortness of breath and wheezing.
• Inhaled corticosteroids: used as maintenance therapy to suppress chronic airway inflammation. They do not cure asthma itself but significantly reduce the frequency of attacks.

Avoidance of irritants

Prevention starts at home. Attention should be paid to:

• Tobacco smoke: even passive smoking is extremely harmful for babies with asthma.
• House dust and dust mites: regular cleaning, the use of anti-allergy mattresses and pillows, as well as vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, are recommended.
• Mold and moisture: maintaining a dry environment reduces the risk of mold growth, which are strong irritants.
• Pets: the fur and epithelia of animals can also cause allergic reactions.

How can parents prevent asthma attacks?

Parental awareness is key to successful asthma management in infants. Maintaining a clean home environment with minimal dust and allergens is a mandatory first step. Regular ventilation of rooms and the use of air purifiers can also help.

Regular medical examinations are mandatory. The pediatrician monitors the effect of the prescribed therapy, adjusts it when necessary, and draws up a long-term plan for controlling the disease.

Keeping a symptom diary in which parents note any aggravation, medications introduced, and possible irritants is also a useful approach. This facilitates the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis and optimizing therapy. Parents themselves more easily notice the first symptoms and react in a timely manner.

In conclusion

With the right approach and timely therapy, babies and children with asthma can lead normal and active lives. The role of parents is important from observing the first symptoms, to seeking help from a specialist, to implementing follow-up therapy. Small lifestyle changes, such as obtaining a nebulizer and purifier, controlling the environment, and excluding irritants, can significantly improve a child’s condition and minimize the occurrence of attacks.

Sources: 

https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma-in-babies

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/allergy–asthma/how-do-babies-get-asthma

Asthma in Infants