Rapid breathing in infants

Rapid breathing in infants (tachypnea): Normal and warning signs

Infant breathing is one of the main indicators of their health, and any deviation from the norm causes natural concern in parents. Rapid, shallow breathing, known as tachypnea, is one such symptom. It is important to distinguish physiological, temporary acceleration of breathing from signs of respiratory insufficiency that require immediate medical attention.

What breathing rate is normal for infants?

The first thing to know is that infants breathe much more frequently than adults. The normal breathing rate (BR) at rest for a child in the first year of life is 30-50 breaths per minute. During sleep the breathing may slow down, and during activity or crying it may speed up. This is completely normal.

In addition, an infant's breathing can be irregular. This is called periodic breathing: the baby may make a series of rapid, shallow breaths, then pause briefly, and then start breathing again. This is a normal phenomenon related to the immaturity of the respiratory center in the brain. Read about sleep physiology and breathing in the article "Physiology of newborn sleep".

When is rapid breathing a warning sign?

Tachypnea as a symptom is a sustained acceleration of breathing above 50-60 breaths per minute at rest. This indicates that the child's body is lacking oxygen and is trying to compensate by breathing more frequently. It is usually accompanied by other signs of respiratory insufficiency:

• Flare of the nostril wings with each inhalation.
• Retraction of the soft areas of the chest wall (skin pulling between the ribs).
• "Grunting" on exhalation or wheezing.
• Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin, especially around the mouth).

Causes of this condition can include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, congenital heart defects, or other serious diseases. If you notice these symptoms, it is a reason for immediate emergency call. Read about other breathing problems in our dedicated section.