Is it asthma?

[bubbles28]

Hi there, I was just wondering how do you know if your child has asthma?
My 9mth old DS breaths heavily and occasionally seems to have a slight weeze. I took him to the GP and she said she couldn't hear any weezing at that time. He has eczema and apparently eczema and asthma go hand in hand.
Does anyone elses child have these symptoms, and is it asthma?
Thankyou

[nemosmum]

HI Tina,

Hmmm yes Ive often had the same concerns about my DS. He also has eczema and I was a chronic asthmatic as a child so its in his genes so to speak. However lately his breathing has been normal and he rarely gets congested, phlemy etc now.

I have been told that its usually the 1st or 2nd winter that really effects bubs developing asthma. The wheeze you talk about is very distinct in asthmatics but usually happens more at sleep time, as when bubs lay down thats when their air ways are closed the most iykwim. It can aslo be related to bronchitis.

All you can do is monitor your sons breathing, we used to use a baby monitor with the breathing alarm thing on it. If you feel his wheezing is distinct then keep taking him to see the doc. and if they dont help get a second, third or fourth opinon.

A friend of mine had similar concerns and had to go to three different docs before they took her seriously. Her bub was on ventolin over winter but is doing much better now.

I hope your bub is ok, but like I said try another doc if your not satisfied.

Sarah

[3TinLids]

Hi there. We have 3 boys with asthma. Our 3rd son has just been diagnosed with asthma after 6 admissions to hospital and he is only 11 months old. The eldest 2 developed their asthma about 18 months (eldest is chronic and 2nd is worse when he has a cold- has been admitted to hospital) but Ashley is by far the worst. His first admission was at four months and he was a very sick little boy. When looking for a wheeze, listen to his chest. Sometimes although a child may sound wheezy it is more an upper respiratory noise(eg mouth and nose) and not a true wheeze. Also look for signs of respiratory distress - sucking in of abdomen under ribs or look at his neck and see if he is sucking in the skin around his trachea. These are classic signs of respiratory distress. Ezcema and asthma are often related but do not have to go hand in hand. Also, doctors do not usually diagnose asthma before 12 months and in our case medications are not usually effective until close to 12 months. If you are concerned keep taking your child to the doctor. We know our children better than anyone and often pick up things early. Hope this has helped. Good luck.

Rebecca

[HoopDeeDoo]

I had the same issue with my DS. He started weezing at four months. He had a few bad patches which were diagnosed and bronculitus (sp?) But it got worse each time which isn't supposed to happen with bronculitus, it's supposed to have less syptoms each time you get it.
The last time was early in the winter this year. I had to take him to the emergency department (after going to my GP). They measured his his oxygen levels and despite him obviously struggleing to breath his levels were ok.
They gave him Ventolin and he had an instant positive reaction, and within 6 hours we were sent home. I bought a nebuliser as the spacer with the puffer was really scary for him and he wouldn't let me give it to him. The nebuliser is more of a gentle way of giving the ventolin, or you can just put water in it. They told me it was probably asthma but they don't diagnose asthma until they are at least four years old.
I know a few mums who have had their bubs in hospital with bronculitus, it seems Canberra is one of the worst places for it because of the cold weather.
Just watch his chest when he is resting or sleeping. If you can see a big hole when they breath its a sign they are having trouble. Otherwise good luck and hope your bubba is ok :)