Pediatric Pulmonology

We treat a range of pediatric pulmonary conditions including Asthma, Wheezing, Sleep apnea, and Pneumonia, and follow a family-centered approach to diagnosing and treating your child.

Pediatric pulmonologists provide specialized treatment to children suffering from respiratory issues. Following are some of the common breathing conditions in children treated at American Hospital Dubai:

Wheezing:

When a child wheezes, only a Pediatric Pulmonologist can identify the underlying cause, whether that’s because of asthma or any other trigger. Asthma - a lung disease that is developed by swelling and narrowing of the airways causes coughing, wheezing, chest congestion, and breathing difficulty.

Wheezing refers to sharp whistling sounds produced when a child breathes in or out. It occurs when air flows through a thin bronchial tube into the lungs. When a child has trouble breathing, it might indicate a wheezing problem. When a child exhales, the wheezing becomes obvious, and can also be heard when the child inhales.

Generally, wheezing occurs due to bronchial or breathing tubes. These are a network of tiny or narrow tubes that intervene with the regular flow of blood. The condition may also develop by a blockage in large airways. Children with certain vocal cord issues often complain of wheezing too.

Asthma:

Asthma refers to the inflammation (swelling) of the airways. It occurs due to the tightening of muscles around the airways and swelling of the lining of the air passage, causing less air to pass through. While the condition is common in children, allergies stimulate or further deteriorate Asthma. Both allergies & asthma can strike a child at the same time.
We’ve listed down some of the common triggers for Asthma in Children. If your child is diagnosed with Asthma, watch out for the following triggers as it can help prevent or keep
Asthma symptoms under control:

• Changing weather
• Intense expression of emotions (such as anger, love, joy, fear)
• Viral infections, including common cold & flu
• Hair or fur of animals
• Pollen, dust and ungus
• Food/air containing chemicals
• Inhaling of smoke i.e. tobacco
• Physical exertion

Pneumonia:

It is a respiratory (breathing) disease in which the lungs get infected by fungus, bacteria and viruses. However, viruses are the most common reason for childhood pneumonia. Other reasons causing the condition include, but not limited to:

• Food, vomit, or liquids inhaled into the lungs from the mouth
• Transmission of viruses/ bacteria (such as Streptococcus pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus) to the lungs through the mouth, nose, or sinuses
• Germs that are directly inhaled into the lungs
• Sometimes, pneumonia have multiple episodes within a certain time period, referred to as “recurrent pneumonia”. Children with the following conditions may have increased chances of getting recurrent pneumonia:
• Premature birth
• Cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis (scarring of the lung) caused by chronic lung disease
• Consumption or exposure to smoke i.e. cigarette
• Aspiration due to congenital problems
• Weak immune system (as after organ transplantation, treatment of cancer or other congenital immune diseases)

Pediatric Sleep Medicine:

Sleep deprivation can have negative effects on your child’s performance socially, physically, mentally and academically. Pediatric sleep medicine can assess the underlying causes of sleep disorders and assist in improving your child’s sleeping patterns.

Explore more about Pediatric Sleep Medicine

Sleep Apnea:

Sleep Apnea refers to a condition when a child briefly stops or forgets breathing while sleeping. It is believed that a blockage in the airway, large tonsils and adenoids in the upper airway result in sleep apnea. The disorder can be identified by the following symptoms: loud snoring or noisy breathing while sleeping.

Pediatric Pulmonology Services at American Hospital Dubai:

We offer advanced and family-centered care for children and teens with chronic respiratory diseases. We have a multidisciplinary team comprising Pediatric Pulmonologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Allergists, and General Pediatricians who follow an evidence-based approach in the treatment and management of a broad spectrum of chronic respiratory disorders, offer second evaluations to young patients with complex lung conditions, and provide both inpatient and outpatient consultations for pediatric respiratory problems.

At American Hospital Dubai, we use state-of-the-art equipment to perform comprehensive testing, which includes:

• FFB (Flexible Fiber Bronchoscopy): It involves fiber-optic endoscopes to observe the inside of the lungs
• PFTs (Pulmonary Function Tests): Non-invasive tests are performed in various ways to best suit children of all ages.
• Polysomnography: A diagnostic testing performed to diagnose sleep disorders
• Fractional excretion of nitric oxide: To identify a specific type of inflammation in the lungs. And the list continues.

Schedule a Consultation:

If your child struggles with breathing or sleep disorders or has lung problems, we invite you to book a consultation with our Pediatric Pulmonologists through our secure web form and get the symptoms evaluated and treated. Let us help your child start breathing easier!