February 22, 2016 - Pediatric Respirology

Question 1

Children and Method of Breathing

Answer 1

They are nose breathers, not mouth breathers.

Question 2

Children and Lung Development

Answer 2

Children do not have fully developed lungs. Because of the smaller airway caliber in infants and children, being sick will have a greater impact on them.

Question 3

Children and Chest Wall Shape

Answer 3

Have horizontal ribs, which do not allow for big changes in tidal volume.

V_min = V_T x RR

Because children are limited with their tidal volume, they compensate by increasing their respiratory rate. This puts them at increased risk for respiratory collapse. Their accessory muscles still engage even though they don’t help, further driving up carbon dioxide in this maladaptive response.