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Do Persistent Sneezing, Coughing And Diarrhea Require Urgent Medical Attention In A Newborn?

Posted on Mon, 10 Sep 2018

Question: My son is ten months old. He is suffering from chest congestion. Initially he had a runny nose and sneezing. His doctor gave him Asthakind syrup - 2ml thrice a day for a week and Cetrizin syrup 2ml once at night for 5 days. After two days of medication he has developed cough and watery stools.He is fussy to feed and tries to puke but hasn't puked ever. His running nose has stopped.And he is teething. I wish to know if his congestion his healing or getting severe. Does he need immediation medical attention for cough or the same medication need to be continued?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Incidentally such conditions are pretty common in children.

Treatment is supportive and usually comprises of antiallergic medication like Cetrizin, and saline nasal drops for blocked nose.

Asthakind Syrup is a mucolytic containing Bromhexine, Guaiphenesin, Menthol and Terbutaline as active ingredients, and can be given.

You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion and thereby the cough.

Just sit with the child on your lap and place the source of steam before you.

The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in.

Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief.

If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned.

If not, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated.

If the respiratory rate is greater than or equal to 50 breaths/min you would need to take her to a doctor for the possibility of underlying pneumonia.

If the rate is lesser, you need not worry and need not be concerned about a worsening condition.

Medical attention would only be required if the child becomes lethargic or if the respiratory rate seems greater than 50 breaths/min, otherwise not.

Give ORS (oral rehydration solution) to replenish the lost water and salts.

The watery stools may continue for a couple of days. You need to be patient.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Thank you so much doctor for the worthy explanation and remedy.. The child is active and breathing is normal. But sometimes breathing is irregular in sleep,as if he is having scary dream especially early in the morning. I wake up the baby and give him nasal drops he soon returns to normalcy. Is this simply a blocked nose or a breathing pattern of a baby?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:

Periodic breathing (irreglular breathing) is normal in children.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Periodic breathing (irreglular breathing) is normal in children. Nothing to be concerned about.

It is not related to nasal block.

However, if you suspect nasal blockage, feel free to apply saline nasal drops when you feel required.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad