Chapter 12: Respiratory Disorders in Children

Respiratory Disorders in Children details the essential components of a respiratory assessment, highlighting signs of distress such as tachypnea, retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, and cyanosis, while explaining diagnostic modalities like arterial blood gases, pulmonary function tests, and pulse oximetry. The text categorizes conditions into upper and lower airway disorders, covering infectious processes like otitis media, bacterial pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and influenza, alongside life-threatening emergencies such as epiglottitis and tracheitis. Significant attention is given to croup syndromes, particularly laryngotracheobronchitis and its characteristic barking cough, as well as the management of lower airway infections including bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumonia, and pertussis. Chronic and congenital conditions are rigorously explored, including the genetic pathophysiology and multisystem management of cystic fibrosis, the stepwise pharmacological treatment of asthma, and neonatal challenges such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The chapter also addresses structural anomalies like tracheoesophageal fistula and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, while integrating public health topics such as tuberculosis, COVID-19 in children, the impact of vaping and environmental smoke, and the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through safe sleep practices.