Why do infants wheeze Flashcards
When is lung fully functional
36-38 weeks
Define wheeze
Musical lung sound
What is a wheeze produced from
Oscillation in narrowed airways
How can wheezes be characterised
Inspiratory or expiraratory
What pressure change happens when you inhale
Negative pressure generated in chest and transferred to small airway
What happens to small airways as you breathe in
Expand/ pulled apart by negative pressure
What happens if small airways narrow
Initially velocity increases, but as narrows further is decreases
Initally pressure decreases but narrows further giving increase
Alternation of these pressure/ velocity changes gives fluttery breaths
What % of children will wheeze before age of 3, and what triggers this most
35
Viral colds
Why is smoking in pregnancy a risk factor for preschool wheeze
Maternal smoking alters airway structure, making it floppier
Apart from smoking what is another risk factor for preschool wheeze
Air pollution
During what age are transient early wheezers most prevalent
0-3
During what age are non-atopic wheezers most prevalent
3-6
During what age is IgE associated wheeze more prevalent
6+
Define transient early wheeze
Wheeze only during first 3 years of life
Born with low lung function and tendency to develop twitchy airway with colds
By what age do transient early wheezers have normal lung function
Age 11
