How Kids Breathe Differently than Adults?

The best CPR online classes deal with CPR for kids differently than adults. This is because there are considerable differences between how kids breathe and how an adult breathes. 

Hence, if you are looking to register for the best CPR online classes, make sure they cover all areas because the CPR techniques for adults cannot be applied to young children. 

Kids are Not Mini Version of Adults 

A young child, who is still in the process of development has different physiology than an adult. This also includes differences in breathing mechanisms. An infant up to the age of 6 months relies mostly on their nostrils for breathing. This is the reason why doctors stress so much about laying the infants on their back always. Moreover, care should be taken to ensure that blanket, toys or clothing, etc. should not cover an infant’s nostrils and mouth. Blocking an infant’s nostrils means blocking their airways. If they are not able to breathe, they may even faint due to lack of oxygen and CPR might be required to bring them back from unconsiousness. Looking for online CPR recertification is the best way to upgrade and refresh your life-saving skills.

In adults, breathing is a complex mechanism involving three groups of muscles i.e. the abdominal muscles, the muscles between the ribs i.e. intercostal muscles, and the diaphragm. Air enters the lungs when diaphragm pulls downward. When the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs expel the air. The muscles between the ribs stretch the lungs outward while the downward movement of the diaphragm helps the air enter the lungs. The purpose of abdominal muscles is to push diaphragm downward to help in breathing. 

Infants and young kids use abdominal muscles much more than adults. This is because the intercostal muscles in kids are not fully developed. So much reliance on a specific group of muscles can make breathing a tiring activity of kids especially if they have even a minor spinal cord injury or other health issues.

In order to make sure a fragile infant doesn’t get too fatigued to breathe, doctors sometimes use the respiratory monitor with an alarm. If a baby gets tired by extensive use of abdominal muscles, they may pause to take a rest. But this tiny pause can be very dangerous as it lowers the oxygen level in blood. So, for babies with health issues like spinal cord injury, continuous monitoring is required. 

Besides spinal cord injury, an upset, over-tightened abdomen due to excessive gas or fecal matter can also make breathing difficult. It obstructs a deep breath. 

Remedies & Techniques to Consider

Since a child’s trachea, (airway tube from the mouth to lungs) is very fragile, soft and narrow, in case they need mechanical ventilation, it should be installed with utmost care. 

Depending on the child’s age inserting the appropriately long tracheal tube is also a crucial factor. Moreover, the process of suctioning should also be done with care. In some cases, a bulb syringe is preferred over a suction catheter. 

Another important factor affecting children’s respiratory activity is infections like tonsils and adenoids. If they worsen they can even partially or fully block the airways as they grow fast in kids. 

Yet another source of breathing difficulties is asthma in kids. It can develop in kids of any age and is characterized by swollen and narrowed airways. This results in shortness of breath. Depending upon the severity, asthma can be treated with medication or a nebulizer. 

No matter what is the cause behind respiratory problems, there are a few signals which show that the breathing process is affected or has stopped. If you find that the baby’s nails of the finger or toes, and lips are turning blue, it is an indication of a low oxygen level due to respiratory problems. This needs to be dealt with on an emergency basis and CPR training can make a world of difference. Besides, grunting and inward retraction of chest bone are also signs of breathing difficulties.

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