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Wheezing in Preschool Children

As many as 25 percent of preschool-age children experience wheezing, according to Dr. Khoulood Fakhoury, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine. Myriad conditions, however, can cause wheezing in children. They range from mild maladies to more serious, long-term illnesses.

  1. Common Cough

    • A preschooler who wheezes might simply be suffering the side effects of a common cough. Although wheezing in kids can often sound serious, if it is the result of a cough, the condition is unlikely to present a cause for concern. Indeed, nonprofit group Kids Health suggests that coughing is actually good for preschoolers, as it "helps protect the airways in the throat and chest." That said, if the child's wheezing becomes severe, a doctor should be consulted to determine if the wheezing is related to a more serious condition.

    Bronchitis

    • Bronchitis is a common condition among preschool-age children, and wheezing is among its symptoms. Caused by infection, bronchitis is most prevalent during the cold and flu season. It causes inflammation of the windpipe (trachea) and airways that feed into the lungs. The swollen airways make exhaling difficult and cause wheezing. Wheezing in kids, which can often sound like a high-pitched whistle being blown when the child exhales, is treatable when caused by bronchitis. Doctors may prescribe an inhaler, such as albuterol, which helps open the airways.

    Asthma

    • Wheezing in kids of preschool age might be a symptom of asthma. According to Jennifer Kim, attending physician at Children's Memorial Hospital, "Most children develop their first symptoms before 6 years of age." Asthma, which causes airways to become swollen and impaired, can be triggered among preschoolers by running, jumping or even excessive laughter or crying. Preschoolers are also more susceptible to bouts of asthma at night. In her article "Wheezing in Infants and Preschool Children," Kim writes that doctors typically treat a preschooler's asthma with what's known as an "inhaled bronchodilator, such as albuterol."

    Ingestion of a Foreign Object

    • A preschooler who wheezes might have a foreign object lodged in an airway, causing breathing difficulties. If the child swallowed a toy or other object, it might have become stuck in the trachea or airway and could result in shortness of breath or even choking. Allowing the child to cough may naturally dislodge the object. Alternatively, online forum Family Doctor recommends clearing the airway with your finger. Should the child begin to choke, call 911 immediately.

    Viral Respiratory Infections

    • Preschool-age kids suffer from an average of six viral respiratory infections every year. Often dubbed upper respiratory infections (URIs), such conditions typically manifest during cold and flu season and are caused by viruses. The most common among preschoolers are rhinoviruses, influenza viruses (during annual winter epidemics), parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and enteroviruses.

      The inflammation caused by viral respiratory infections often causes wheezing and could make a child's breathing become rapid or severely labored. An extreme narrowing of the airways may even make a child gasp, which is a symptom commonly associated with RSV. Kids thought to be suffering from RSV should be examined by a doctor immediately.

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