This week’s Discussion will focus on sharing experiences that you have encountered so far in your pediatric clinical rotation, specifically with children who present with respiratory disorders or conditions.

Children can suffer from mild or severe respiratory disorders. Asthma, bronchiolitis pneumonia and croup are some of the most common respiratory diseases in children.

Asthma affects airways and causes wheezing. It can also cause coughing or shortness of breathe. A viral infection affects small airways of the lungs causing wheezing and coughing. Pneumonia can be a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. It affects the lungs and causes coughing, fever, and difficulties breathing. Croup, a virus that attacks the upper airway and causes a coughing fit as well as difficulty breathing.

Children with respiratory conditions or disorders can be affected by social, economic, and cultural factors. As an example, low-income children may lack access to high quality healthcare, or they may be living in homes where the air is poor, which could worsen respiratory symptoms. Cultural beliefs can also influence the treatment of respiratory diseases, including the use traditional remedies in place of medical treatments. Environmental factors, such as secondhand smoke and air pollution can also worsen children’s respiratory symptoms.

To achieve optimal outcomes for children with respiratory diseases or conditions, healthcare professionals must consider the factors listed above and provide parents and caregivers with education and resources.