Question
The newborn seems to have a phlegm-like symptom in the throat, experiencing difficulty breathing at night while sleeping. What should be done? What kind of assistance is needed?
Answer
Difficulty breathing in infants may be a symptom of mild pneumonia, manifesting as coughing, shortness of breath, and an increased respiratory rate. For children under 2 months old, a respiratory rate exceeding 60 times per minute indicates severe pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention. For children between 2 and 12 months old, a respiratory rate exceeding 50 times per minute indicates severe pneumonia. For children over one year old, a respiratory rate exceeding 40 times per minute indicates severe pneumonia. Treatment methods include keeping the infant upright to reduce regurgitation and taking appropriate medical measures based on the severity of the condition. For mild pneumonia, methods such as nebulizer inhalation and antibiotic treatment can be adopted. For severe pneumonia, hospitalization is necessary for supportive treatments like intravenous fluid administration and oxygen therapy. At the same time, it is important to monitor the infant’s condition changes, and if symptoms such as fever or listlessness appear, immediate medical attention should be sought.