Dyspnea in Children: What is driving it and how to approach it

Paediatr Respir Rev. 2017 Sep:24:29-31. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2017.03.013. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Abstract

Dyspnea in children has important physical and psychosocial impact. It is useful to define the quality of the dyspnea and quantify its magnitude in a child-friendly manner. Through careful history taking and physical examination, a targeted investigation can lead to identification of the cause and potential treatment. This article provides a framework for the clinical approach to dyspnea in children, including important information to gather during the history, physical assessment, how to quantify dyspnea, and choice and use of laboratory measurements.

Keywords: Breathing discomfort; asthma; exercise; neurocognition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / complications
  • Acidosis / diagnosis
  • Anemia / complications
  • Anemia / diagnosis
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / complications
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis*
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Exercise Test*
  • Humans
  • Laryngismus / complications
  • Laryngismus / diagnosis
  • Medical History Taking*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / complications
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Oximetry*
  • Physical Examination*
  • Physical Exertion
  • Radiography, Thoracic*
  • Respiratory Function Tests*