Causes/Concerns for frequent pneumonia in a child?!
Question: My 16 month old daughter has pneumonia for the second time in two months. First, she also had bronchiolotis several times. She had bronchiolotis 3 times last spring and then again right before the first pneumonia. The first pnuemonia was at the end of December/New Year. She had to be hospitalized for 4 night. With oxygen her oxygen was in the low 90's and dropped while sleeping. After the 4 nights and a few more days at home, she recovered well and was back to her active toddler self. So then this week - she had a cold. I took her to her ped on Tuesday, everything checked out ok. Friday we were back at the ped with another dx of pneumonia. Her oxygen ranged from 88-93. So they gave her Omnicef, increased her pulmacort to twice a day, and albuterol every 4 hours.
So of course, since she has had bronchiolotis several times and now pneumonia.. I'm worried. A simple cold turns pretty serious for her quickly. What other causes could be causing these problems?Preventative ideas
Answers: My 16 month old daughter has pneumonia for the second time in two months. First, she also had bronchiolotis several times. She had bronchiolotis 3 times last spring and then again right before the first pneumonia. The first pnuemonia was at the end of December/New Year. She had to be hospitalized for 4 night. With oxygen her oxygen was in the low 90's and dropped while sleeping. After the 4 nights and a few more days at home, she recovered well and was back to her active toddler self. So then this week - she had a cold. I took her to her ped on Tuesday, everything checked out ok. Friday we were back at the ped with another dx of pneumonia. Her oxygen ranged from 88-93. So they gave her Omnicef, increased her pulmacort to twice a day, and albuterol every 4 hours.
So of course, since she has had bronchiolotis several times and now pneumonia.. I'm worried. A simple cold turns pretty serious for her quickly. What other causes could be causing these problems?Preventative ideas
It sounds as if both the recent episodes may be one extended problem. Bronchiolitis may take 6 or 8 weeks to get over, and until it has cleared up entirely a child could be susceptible to repeated infections. As they get a little older their airways are a little wider and they have less trouble with things "plugging up."
Since it could indicate an underlying problem like asthma, start keeping a diary of what the child was exposed to preceding any problems. You could find it is related to allergies.
Repeated problems come along as a child's immune system is developing and exposed to new things. Within reason, though, exposures are what develop a strong immune system. So just try to use common sense in avoiding unnecessary exposures while not overly isolating her. Avoid smoke.
From now, plenty of fluids. Kids having trouble breathing tend to drink less, and poor hydration can lead to thicker mucus, which is harder to cough up, which can lead to more problems like infections. If you use a humidifier be absolutely sure to clean it with fresh bleach water daily. Wipe down surfaces she touches a lot with a disinfectant like bleach water, lysol, etc. Everyone in the house needs to wash their hands often, especially before handling her, preparing food, and after coughing. Wash her hands often, too.
It sound like she isn't getting a chance to get built back up, before she catches something floating by again.
Her immune system is not helping her. Have they checked out her immune system?
Once you've had pneumonia, you are very susceptible to get it again.
Maybe she needs a better vitamin and mineral. Could it be that she is not getting enough help from the meds to kick this stuff out of her system.
follow up with her pediatrician and ask for a referral to a pulmonologist.