Question
The newborn sometimes breathes rapidly. He is nine days old and was found to be breathing rapidly this morning. What could be the cause? How was the previous treatment and what was the outcome? Are there any good treatment methods?
Answer
Rapid breathing in newborns can occur in two situations: one is a normal physiological phenomenon, and the other is a pathological condition. If the child has been like this since birth, it is mostly a normal physiological phenomenon. Due to the short nasal cavity, narrow nasal passages, and underdeveloped laryngeal cartilage in newborns, there may be a heavier breathing sound, resembling rapid breathing. This situation will gradually improve with the child’s growth and does not require excessive concern. The other situation is pathological, usually normal at birth but then develops a heavy breathing sound, which may be a symptom of newborn pneumonia. This type of pneumonia may not present with symptoms such as fever or cough, making it easy to overlook. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.