Children’s respiratory systems aren’t the same as an adult’s. The same infection that’s easy for an adult to fight off can be debilitating for a child.
As your child’s respiratory system develops in these formative years, certain illnesses can shape their future lung health. Recurring pneumonia infections can be an early warning sign for bigger health problems.
Pneumonia has many potential causes in children, and severe cases can lead to hospitalization and long-term complications. When should you worry? Are your child’s infections normal?
Here’s what pediatric pulmonologists want you to know about recurring childhood pneumonia.
Why Children Develop Pneumonia: Possible Causes
Pneumonia rarely develops on its own. Children most often get it after another respiratory infection.
The word “pneumonia” simply means “inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs.” Pneumonia can be bacterial, fungal, or viral, but in children, viruses are the most common cause.
Your child may contract pneumonia after:
- Colds
- Influenza
- RSV
- Rhinovirus
- Adenovirus
- Other upper respiratory infections
These viruses irritate your child’s airway and can cause the tiny air sacs in their lungs to become inflamed. As a result, your child may be sick for an additional two to three weeks after the initial infection has resolved.
Pneumonia Symptoms in Children: What to Watch For
How do you know your little one has pneumonia, especially if they’re already dealing with other illness symptoms? Parents usually notice pneumonia symptoms for their longevity: their child has been sick longer than a standard viral infection usually lasts.
Mild pneumonia symptoms in children include:
Coughing
Wheezing
Lethargy and fatigue
Shortness of breath
Fever
Chills
Runny nose
Rapid breathing
Vomiting
Viral pneumonia symptoms typically come on more slowly than bacterial pneumonia. If you notice sudden and severe signs of it, the infection may be bacterial.
When Pneumonia Gets More Serious
In otherwise healthy children, most cases of pneumonia resolve within a few weeks. This may feel like a long few weeks as a parent and caregiver, but it’s normal for pediatric pneumonia to linger a bit.
Trouble starts when pneumonia complications arise. Children with certain risk factors are more susceptible to:
- Lung abscesses
- Extreme shortness of breath and trouble breathing
- Pleural effusion (fluid in the chest)
- Bacteremia (bacteria in the blood)
- Low blood oxygen saturation
These problems require hospitalization and can be fatal if left untreated in children. Little ones with chronic pneumonia are more likely to experience complications.
Which Kids Are at Risk?
Pediatric pulmonologists have found certain common risk factors that increase a child’s likelihood of developing chronic pneumonia and complications. These risk factors don’t guarantee that your child will have these problems, but they should keep you on alert.
At-risk children include:
- Children with asthma
- Children under two years old
- Children with weakened immune systems
- Children who become hospitalized from pneumonia
- Children with other chronic diseases (especially respiratory conditions)
- Children who must use steroids long-term
- Children with cancer who have undergone chemotherapy
If your little one falls into any of these categories, see a pediatric pulmonologist for ongoing care. They can help your family navigate cold and flu season and help your child avoid long-term respiratory problems.
Why Some Kids Get Chronic (Recurrent) Pneumonia
Repeated pneumonia infections not only take a toll on your child and you as a caregiver, but they also come with health risks.
Children who get “chronic pneumonia” (recurrent infections) usually have an underlying health condition. Their condition may compromise either their immune system, respiratory tract, or whole-body health.
Asthma
Asthma affects nearly 25 million children in the United States. As an underlying condition, asthma already causes respiratory difficulties.
Your child’s airways may become inflamed easily, or they may produce more mucus than they can clear in a short span of time. Asthma can make any respiratory illness harder to fight off.
Aspiration Syndrome
Any time a substance besides air enters your child’s lungs, it’s called aspiration. It may be stomach contents, food, drinks, or any other foreign substance.
Children experiencing aspiration syndrome are at higher risk for developing pneumonia. There’s even a subset of pneumonia that occurs because of this problem (aspiration pneumonia).
Compromised Immune System
Any condition, medication, or birth defect that weakens your child’s immune system raises their chances of developing chronic pneumonia. It’s harder for their body to fight off the viruses and bacteria that cause the condition.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis causes children to have a wet cough and puts them at risk for future infections, including recurrent pneumonia. This problem stems from damage to your child’s airways that makes it easier for mucus and fluids to build up.
Children can get bronchiectasis from chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). They can also develop it after severe and recurrent respiratory tract infections.
Differences in Airway Anatomy
Sometimes, predisposition to chronic pneumonia is just genetic. Your child may have been born with certain anatomical differences in their airway that make them more vulnerable to infections.
Acid Reflux (GERD)
Remember how aspiration can cause chronic pneumonia? Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) raises the risk of your child inhaling stomach acid that has come back up their esophagus.
How Pediatric Pulmonologists Treat Chronic Pneumonia
If your child has recurrent pneumonia, the best course of action is to see a pediatric pulmonologist. These respiratory professionals can diagnose and treat a wide range of breathing conditions in children.
Antibiotics for Bacterial Pneumonia
Pulmonologists will usually use antibiotics to tackle bacterial pneumonia infections. Your child must take all of the antibiotics they’re prescribed. Skipping the last few can lead to more recurring infections and make them harder to treat in the future.
Hospital Treatment
If your little one is struggling with severe breathing complications, they may need to be hospitalized. Babies are more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia. In the hospital, they can receive supplemental oxygen, hydration, and fever-reducing medication to encourage their recovery.
Identifying and Addressing Underlying Conditions
Working with a pediatric pulmonologist can save your child from a lot of long-term health issues. The doctor can screen for certain underlying risk factors and respiratory conditions. Once you know what they have, you can work on a treatment plan with the pulmonologist to prevent recurring infections.
Get Help for Your Child’s Chronic Pneumonia at Newport Children’s Medical Group
Pneumonia can become serious very quickly, especially in children under two years of age. If you suspect your little one has had recurring pneumonia infections, see a pediatric pulmonologist at Newport Children’s Medical Group for help.
Our team is waiting to support you. Book an appointment today.