Dorothy FarrarHoarseness in the baby
Hoarseness in babies is a typical cold symptom that even the smallest can get. However, since supposedly harmless symptoms in the baby can be very serious, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
What is hoarseness in babies?
Hoarseness in babies is the same symptom that adults know. A baby just can’t express this symptom as accurately as an adult. If he’s already babbled or speaking his first words, the voice will sound raspy and hoarse. Especially smaller babies refuse food partially or completely when they are hoarse . When they are hoarse, they also suffer from visible swallowing difficulties and the appetite also suffers in older babies.
Since hoarseness in babies usually occurs in the course of a cold, the other cold symptoms are not long in coming. Sneezing, coughing , runny nose and fever in babies are typical . The young immune system reacts very quickly to germs and pathogens with fever in order to kill them as quickly as possible. In addition to a cold, allergies can also be a reason, or the baby has recently been crying a lot and for a long time. Hoarseness in the baby is a challenge because the baby has to eat continuously, but does not do so when hoarse.
causes
Certainly the most common cause of hoarseness in babies is a cold. Especially in the first year of life, the little ones are not yet armed against all the germs that are in circulation, but they can and should come into contact with them. Hoarseness in babies from a cold is uncomfortable, but it also has a positive side. The young immune system has met a new germ and has become stronger. In addition to the common cold, the flu-like infection or, in the worst case, a real flu are also possible. This is why a visit to the doctor is so important when the baby shows cold symptoms.
Furthermore, it may be that the baby’s hoarseness is only due to the fact that the baby recently cried and cried a lot and for a long time. Babies sometimes go into screaming fits for no apparent reason, this is part of their development and can be completely harmless. However, a baby also cries out of pain when it is struggling with three- month colic , for example. At the moment, she doesn’t even notice that she’s getting hoarse. If the symptoms last longer or keep coming back, it is also possible that the baby’s hoarseness is a sign of an initial allergy. Allergies can also develop at such a young age.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
Hoarseness in babies can have various causes that make a visit to the doctor necessary. Hoarseness occurs most frequently in connection with colds, which can lead to complications such as an additional bacterial infection. In the case of fever, poor drinking, a poor general condition and if the symptoms persist for several days, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
The so-called pseudocroup can also express itself through hoarseness. This inflammation in the larynx area can cause shortness of breath as a complication , which in severe cases can be associated with the risk of suffocation. These so-called “croup attacks” are triggered by the narrowing of the airways as the inflamed mucous membrane swells. A croup attack is always a medical emergency, here you should call the emergency doctor if you have shortness of breath. If the symptoms are less pronounced, it is still advisable to see a doctor, since the attacks occur very suddenly and usually at night.
Increased crying or screaming, such as when teething, can also lead to hoarseness in the baby. This is harmless in itself, but should be clarified by a doctor if in doubt, especially if the children do not drink. Babies are not yet able to express themselves, so if you are unsure, you should always consult a doctor. This is especially true if you have a high fever or if you refuse to eat.
diagnosis and course
As with adults, most cases of hoarseness in babies would eventually get better on their own. It probably takes longer, however, because the baby’s immune system first has to adjust to the pathogen that caused the hoarseness. During this time, however, there may be difficulties with drinking and eating. The younger the baby, the more difficult it usually is to eat when suffering from hoarseness. As a result, the healing process can be prolonged and underweight can develop during the period of hoarseness.
That’s why it’s important to get a diagnosis from the doctor, who will look at the baby’s throat and ask about other symptoms. They may do a swab or draw blood to identify a pathogen and treat the baby if the hoarseness is causing complications. In rare cases, the frequent fever associated with hoarseness in the baby can also rise too high, making monitoring in the hospital necessary.
complications
Hoarseness in babies is usually not uncommon in the context of a cold and certainly not a cause for concern. In most cases, the hoarseness can be treated well and heals without consequences. Nevertheless, even with a simple hoarseness in the baby, medical complications can occur. Since hoarseness is often associated with difficulty swallowing and loss of appetite, refusal by the child to eat can result in a serious lack of nutrients in the body and underweight. The same applies to the drinking behavior of the child. If drinks are refused, the body can become dehydrated after a very short time. If this condition lasts longer, vital organs are damaged.
If the baby’s hoarseness is related to a cold, an additional bacterial infection can occur. This often occurs in conjunction with a severe fever. If this bacterial infection is the so-called pseudocroup (an inflammation of the larynx), it can even lead to shortness of breath in the child. With these “croup attacks” there is an acute danger of suffocation, since the airways are narrowed. Medical treatment is necessary in any case.
treatment and therapy
Hoarseness in babies is not only uncomfortable and exhausting for parents and child, but can also become downright dangerous due to the frequent refusal to eat. If the hoarseness is only mild or transient, the baby can be offered herbal tea. Fennel tea is best for small babies , as it is well tolerated by every baby and is good for sore throats and hoarseness. Later, the baby can also be offered other well-tolerated herbal teas such as chamomile tea , and rooibos tea would also be conceivable . However, some babies do not like tea and should at least drink enough water.
If the hoarseness is severe during a cold, the pediatrician may also decide to prescribe an antibiotic for the baby. However, this is only done if the infection has to go away quickly, for example because the baby completely refuses to eat. Antibiotics are a great burden for the organism, just like in adults. In addition, a lot of sleep , sufficient warmth and protection against hypothermia and drafts are important. While the baby’s hoarseness is still acute, it also helps to hold the baby in your arms a lot, as it will certainly cry and can now use the closeness of a trusted person all the more.
outlook and prognosis
Hoarseness in babies usually occurs as part of harmless colds and accordingly has a favorable prognosis. When the infection subsides, the hoarseness also subsides without consequences. If the baby does not feel bad during the course of the infection or has an unusually high fever, no special medical treatment is required. Hoarseness in the baby can also occur when infants have more crying phases. Some children then quickly develop hoarseness, which also has a favorable prognosis insofar as there is no disease behind the symptom.
The prognosis is unclear in the case of sudden onset of hoarseness and abnormal behavior of the baby. To ensure a good prognosis, medical help should be sought quickly, since in rare cases viral and bacterial infections can also occur, which can cause the baby to become hoarse because the larynx has become inflamed. Suddenly occurring hoarseness, which cannot be classified by the parents and which, in the worst case, is accompanied by signs of shortness of breath, should therefore be examined by a doctor immediately.
prevention
Hoarseness is not uncommon in babies. A lot of screaming can cause it, but fortunately it doesn’t take long to recede. Colds are uncomfortable and can be dangerous if you have symptoms such as fever, but you shouldn’t avoid them altogether. Of course it’s not advisable to kiss the baby when you’re struggling with a cold yourself, because then it’s bound to catch it.
Complete freedom from germs to protect against small infections would also be wrong, because the baby’s immune system learns through contact with germs and can deal with them better and better in the future. Especially in the first year of life, when the baby is still considered as such, it will often have to do with hoarseness. Herbal teas, plenty of fluids, and enough healthy food and rest are the best ways to deal with it. Furthermore, you should not go without a visit to the doctor even if it is clear that the baby is hoarse again, because he can give tips to get through this difficult time.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.