Noisy breathing in Barranquilla, Colombia

What kinds of breathing noises are there?

Stridor is a high-pitched sound, mainly when breathing in, that indicates narrowing in the larynx or trachea. Wheezing is whistling when breathing out, from narrowed bronchi. Snoring comes from the nose or throat. Grunting is a short sound at the end of breathing out in babies with respiratory distress. Recognizing the type of noise points toward the cause.

What causes it in babies?

Nasal congestion is very common and usually harmless. Stridor from the first weeks that worsens with crying, feeding or lying on the back suggests laryngomalacia, the most common cause. Others include tracheomalacia, vocal cord problems, congenital narrowing and malformed blood vessels around the trachea.

And in older children?

Croup, wheezing from asthma or viral infections, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and an inhaled foreign object, which should always be suspected when noises start suddenly after choking.

When is it urgent?

If the noise comes with effortful breathing, the neck or ribs pulling in, breathing pauses, blue lips, trouble feeding, drooling, or if it started suddenly. Also seek care soon if the baby is not gaining weight or the noise is getting worse.

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