What Are the Signs of Pneumonia In Infants?

Pediatric pneumonia is a common disease in infants and young children. It is more common in northern China in winter and spring and is a common cause of infant death. Pneumonia is lung inflammation caused by pathogen infection or inhalation of amniotic fluid, oils, and allergic reactions. The main clinical manifestations are pneumonia, fever, cough, shortness of breath, dyspnea, and snoring of the lungs.

Basic Information

English name

infantile pneumonia

Visiting department

Pediatrics

Multiple groups

Infants

Common causes

Often caused by infections such as bacteria and viruses

Common symptoms

Fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty, lungs, etc.

Causes of pediatric pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia

Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

2. Viral pneumonia

Caused by adenovirus, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus.

3. Mycoplasma pneumonia

4.Chlamydia pneumonia

5. Fungal pneumonia

Caused by Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Pneumocystis carinii, etc.

Clinical manifestations of pediatric pneumonia

General symptoms

Have fever, antifeeding, irritability, wheezing and other symptoms, the early body temperature is 38 ~ 39 , can also be as high as 40 . In addition to respiratory symptoms, children may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as depression, irritability, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Infants often refrain from feeding, breastfeeding, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

2. Respiratory symptoms

(1) The cough begins with frequent, irritating dry coughs , followed by sputum sounds in the throat, which may be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea when the cough is severe.

(2) Symptoms and signs of respiratory tract increase rapidly, the nose is agitated, and some children may have mild cyanosis around the mouth and nails. Lung signs may not be obvious in the early stage, and small and medium vesicular sounds may be heard in the future. When combined with pleural effusion, percussion solid sounds and / or respiratory sounds may disappear.

3. Other system symptoms and signs

(1) Circulatory symptoms Infant pneumonia is often accompanied by cardiac insufficiency. If the child's heart rate increases to 160-200 beats / min, the liver increases or increases significantly in a short time, pale, cyanosis around the mouth, edema of the limbs, and oliguria, congestive heart failure should be considered.

(2) Symptoms of the nervous system Irritability, drowsiness, gaze, strabismus, and eyeball upturn. lethargy, even coma and convulsions. bulbar conjunctival edema. changes in pupils, slow or disappeared in response to light. Respiratory irregularity. Anterior cardia swells with meningeal irritation. Cerebrospinal fluid is normal except for increased pressure, which is called toxic encephalopathy.

(3) Digestive symptoms Children with pneumonia have decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating. In severe cases, the vomit is brown or blood in the stool, bowel sounds disappear, and toxic intestinal paralysis and toxic hepatitis may occur.

Pediatric pneumonia examination

Blood test

In bacterial pneumonia, the white blood cell count usually increases and the proportion of neutrophils increases. Severe Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia and influenza bacillus pneumonia sometimes reduce the total number of white blood cells. The white blood cell count of viral pneumonia is usually normal or decreased, and the proportion of lymphocytes is normal or increased.

2.C-reactive protein test

The value of C-reactive protein rises during bacterial infections and septicemia, and the increase is directly proportional to the severity of the infection. Virus and mycoplasma infections usually do not increase, but this is not entirely the case.

3. Etiological examination

Etiology tests include direct smear microscopy and bacterial isolation and identification. Specimens can be sputum, throat swabs, pleural effusion, and alveolar lavage fluid. Pathogen isolation is the most reliable method. Can also be used for bacterial or viral antigen detection, nucleic acid detection, and antibody detection.

4. Chest X-ray

The chest X-ray showed early lung texture enhancement, and later in the two lungs there were spot-shaped infiltrations of various sizes, or fused into sheet-like shadows, often accompanied by emphysema and atelectasis.

Pediatric pneumonia diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made based on clinical manifestations and imaging studies. However, it is still necessary to rely on pathogenic testing to clarify the cause, guide treatment and estimate prognosis.

Differential diagnosis of pneumonia in children

Pediatric pneumonia must be distinguished from diseases such as tuberculosis, bronchial foreign bodies, and idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderin.

Pediatric pneumonia treatment

Comprehensive therapy should be adopted to improve ventilation function, effectively control inflammation and avoid complications.

General treatment

Maintain air circulation in the ward, maintain room temperature at 20 ° C, and humidity of about 60%. Provide easy-to-digest food, often turn over and pat back.

2. Give antibiotics

Antibiotics are selected according to the following principles: Clinical and laboratory data are directed at possible pathogens. Use pathogen-sensitive antibiotics. the severity of the disease.

For mycoplasma pneumonia, macrolides can be used. For viral pneumonia, antiviral drugs such as ribavirin or acyclovir can be used.

3. Symptomatic treatment

If there is hypoxia, oxygen can be given. Oral expectorants can be used. If the sputum is thick, it is not easy to cough.

Pediatric pneumonia prevention

Prevent upper respiratory tract infection, pay attention to strengthen exercise, you can choose the appropriate exercise method according to age. When outdoor activities, pay attention to appropriate clothing. Do not take children to public places when there is a respiratory virus epidemic. Keep out of reach of children when someone has a cold at home.