- A most common early warning sign of asthma is wheezing and/or coughing. Wheezing is identified by a whistling sound in the chest during exhalation. Wheezing occurs when the lower airway passages are narrow and constricted. Other signs and symptoms that indicate an immediate emergency include: the infant's chest moving in and out deeply and rapidly; pale or blue face, lips or fingernails; rapid breathing and difficulty eating and/or sucking. These warning signs indicate that the infant needs immediate emergency medical intervention.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 50 percent of children have at least one episode of wheezing before age 3. Only 1/3 of these children develop asthma before age 6. Testing and diagnosing asthma in infants can be difficult. The bronchioles of an infant are very small and can easily become obstructed due to common upper respiratory viruses, which can also contribute to wheezing. Recurrent wheezing may be an indicator that an infant may have asthma.
- Keeping a well-documented history of an infant's signs of asthma can help with an official diagnosis, once the infant is older. Record when episodes of wheezing and coughing occur, especially in cooler temperatures, with exposure to allergens and during illness. Keeping an accurate notebook with symptoms observed, dates, times, emergency room and/or doctor visits, treatments used and illnesses will help aid the pediatrician with an asthma diagnosis.
- According to the Tuscon Children's Respiratory Study, identifying an infant or child in one of the three categories of transient, non-atopic or atopic wheezing, can help determine the likelihood of wheezing associated with allergens, asthma or viral infections. A lung function test conducted to help diagnose asthma involves deep inhalation and exhalation, and cannot be performed until the infant is much older. A pediatrician or a pediatric allergist/immunologist will conduct a complete health history and physical exam to assess asthma or an allergy-related diagnosis. Eliminating possible irritants that can contribute to wheezing or coughing may be beneficial. Avoid cigarette smoke and minimize allergen exposure to dust, air pollution, pet dander, pollen and mold spores.
- A common asthmatic symptom of wheezing or coughing may also indicate an upper respiratory viral infection, bronchiolitis or underdeveloped airway passages. A foreign object inhaled into the lungs may also induce wheezing or coughing.
