PEDS 602 Respiratory Disorders ATI_Presentation | Respiratory Disorders ATI_UPDATED

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 - - -