Respiratory Disorders
Chamberlain College of Nursing,
Chicago CampusGENERAL ASPECTS OF
RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
• Respiratory infections are cause of
majority of acute illnesses in children
• Upper respiratory
...
Respiratory Disorders
Chamberlain College of Nursing,
Chicago CampusGENERAL ASPECTS OF
RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
• Respiratory infections are cause of
majority of acute illnesses in children
• Upper respiratory tract
• Oro-nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx,
and trachea
• Lower respiratory tract
• Bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoliAge
• Infants younger than 3 months—will have lower infection rate bc of protection
function of maternal antibodies-w breast milk
• 3 to 6 months—infection rate increases
• Toddler and preschool ages—remains high; high rate of viral infections bc their
around everyone, stick everything in mouths, start school at this age.
• Older than 5 years—resp tract infections are less frequent, but increase in
Mycoplasma pneumonia and β-strep infections (bacterial infections)- bc
vaccines are given to them
• Increased immunity with ageSize
• Diameter of airways plays significant role in respiratory
illnesses-smaller in young children.
• Distance between structures is shorter, allowing
organisms to rapidly move down
• Short Eustachian tubes (tubes that regulate flow from
ear to nose) drains fluids. The short and open
Eustachian tube allows pathogens easy access to the
middle ear. Higher risk of infection. More likely to fluid to
back up and build in ears.Resistance
• Deficiency of the Immune system puts the child at risk for infection.
• Allergies, asthma- connected. Bc of inflammatory process, get sick
more severly
• Cardiac anomalies
• Cystic fibrosis-really thick mucus
• Conditions that weaken defenses of the respiratory tract and
predisposes a child to infection include allergies,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma, and cardiac anomalies that
cause cystic fibrosis and pulmonary congestion.
• Daycare attendance, especially if caregivers smoke, increases the
likelihood of infection.Differences in Children
6Differences in Children
7Differences in Children
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