Signs (symptoms) | Pneumonia in the baby

Signs (symptoms)

In babies, the most typical form of pneumonia is bronchopneumonia. Not only deep parts of the lungs are affected by the inflammatory infection, but also the bronchial tubes, i.e. higher sections. In contrast to lobar pneumonia, which is the main form of pneumonia only in children, the inflammation is not limited to one lobe, but forms several centres of inflammation in the entire lung or lung lobe.

The pathogens spread circularly from the bronchi into the lung tissue. The signs of pneumonia can be very different in babies and infants. The disease is often diagnosed late because no symptom construct can be put together to form a uniform clinical picture.

In addition, a distinction must be made between different pathogens, which have specific differences in the symptom structure they cause. One can pay attention to various signs that are more common in bacterial pneumonia. The general condition of most patients, whether young or old, is reduced and a feeling of illness is described.

This can be manifested in babies by constant crying, but also by extreme drowsiness (lethargy). The child most likely has high fever and coughs. In the case of a feverish infection without known origin, pneumonia should always be ruled out in childhood.

In addition, the principle applies that high fever has a bacterial cause. Respiration is also severely restricted – breathing stops and increased breathing speed (tachypnea) are signs of bacterial pneumonia in infants. In addition to pneumonia, newborns often suffer from sepsis, a blood poisoning.

In this case masses of bacteria can be detected in the blood. The baby’s skin is pale and in addition to the lung problems, there is an increased heart rate (tachycardia) and a reduced urge to drink. If pneumonia is suspected, the seasonal activity of various respiratory viruses should always be taken into account in the diagnosis.

Especially in babies and infants, a viral infection is much more likely than a bacterial one. It is important in viral pneumonia that the clinical picture is usually without fever. There are conspicuous retractions in the area of the ribcage.

This means that the tissue between the ribs sinks in during the breathing process. This is a sure sign of difficult and significantly restricted respiratory activity, as is the over-inflation of the lungs that occurs in affected infants. The pulmonary alveoli are greatly enlarged in imaging techniques.