Babies with chronic cough

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:01 am

I was placed with a pair of 4 mo preemie twins in my foster home. The doctor said they're fine. But they have chronic coughs and runny noses. I have no idea what's going on with them. I also don't know much about their history.

I understand there is a vaccine given to preemie twins, and the social worker is checking on whether they got that or not, but just wondering if that vaccine would help with this? What do you think?

Meanwhile, we're living off saline nose drops.

asp40

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:06 am

You are referring to the vaccine for RSV, called synagis. It dos not prevent RSV but can lessen the severity of it. There are many criteria to meet in order for insurance to qualify for this vaccine as it is very very expensive.

If you feel they are having any difficulty with breathing or eating, please call that doctor back.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:12 am

asp40 wrote:

In Israel, RSV is given to all preemies. If they are already sick, will it help or cure what's going on now, do you think?

Thank you! -Op

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:13 am

bnm wrote:

can you get the to a specialist? Preemies are more prone to lung issues. also are they ALWAYS coughing or does it increase when they are flat on their backs/after eating?

No specialist available here. I think you're asking if maybe this could be reflux. Seems like it's not, to me, because it's not connected to eating, and it's more in their nose and post nasal drip, I think.

-OP

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:14 am

It will not cure it, but it will help prevent them from getting the same virus again. My preemie twins did not qualify for synagis because they did not meet enough of the categories. Then my 18 month old got RSV and my insurance finally approved them, but it was too late. They both had RSV and were hospitalized. They still received the vaccine for the remainder of that year. The following year, my insurance again denied me, and my twins did not get sick thankfully.

Hoping they have a speedy recovery.

bnm

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:15 am

amother wrote:

not only reflux- my kid aspirates thin liquids so always sounded gunky till we thickened his bottles.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:19 am

bnm wrote:

not only reflux- my kid aspirates thin liquids so always sounded gunky till we thickened his bottles.

Thank you for sharing that. How did you know he was aspirating it? What were the symptoms? I'll start paying better attention to whether or not it gets worse after a bottle.

And thank you to everyone about the RSV!

-OP

bnm

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:30 am

he had a swallow test that showed he wasn't swallowing properly then ended up with aspiration pneumonia looks different on the xray from regular pneumonia...

preemies are more prone to reflux and to lung issues so I would definitely consult with a gastro/pulmo if possible.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:39 am

MaBelleVie wrote:

If they have RSV they would be very very sick right now. The synagis shot can prevent it but it won't help whatever is going on now.

Not true. Rsv starts out as a regular cold. It doesn't become severe in everyone - in fact, most people don't even know they have rsv. But it can become severe.

My preemie twins got the synagis, but got rsv anyway. One nearly died, but made a miraculous recovery (I don't want to think what could've been had he not received the synagis). The following year they were approved for synagis as well, and BH did not get it.

It started out as a nasal drip, congested coughing etc. So if you have any concerns, please take the child to the doctor. And keep a very close eye until he clears up.

Oh, one more thing. If their breathing or cough is congested, as the doctor to give you albuterol. It's a saline that's inhaled through the nebulizer. That makes a huge difference (and possibly could've prevented our son from becoming severe). Instead of just clearing up the outer congestion (nose), this clears up the insides.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:40 am

bnm wrote:

I really don't know how to get to a specialist here (in Israel). I think the pediatrician can order a swallow test, and maybe at the test place, we'll get to speak with a specialist. I don't know how it works here. Anyone know?

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:45 am

amother wrote:

Thanks for explaining. I'll indeed keep a close eye on them and head to a doctor if it gets worse. They've been with me for over a week now, came to me sick, but not gotten worse, B'H. I did learn that they had been hospitalized briefly two weeks prior for these symptoms.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:46 am

amother wrote:

If he's congested, he might have a hard time managing the swallowing/breathing effectively.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:49 am

amother wrote:

Oh, one more thing. If their breathing or cough is congested, as the doctor to give you albuterol. It's a saline that's inhaled through the nebulizer. That makes a huge difference (and possibly could've prevented our son from becoming severe). Instead of just clearing up the outer congestion (nose), this clears up the insides.

I recall using albuterol on other kids. Seriously, I wish they'd prescribe something with less side effects than albuterol. It makes some kids so hyper. But, if needed, it can be a life savor. I wish I could just give Benedryl.

MaBelleVie

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 9:52 am

Sorry if it was unclear- I was not trying to imply that these symptoms couldn't develop into full blown RSV, just that if they indeed had it, the symptoms would be more worrisome. Also wanted to explain to op that synagis is not used to treat an active RSV infection, it is preventative.

All young infants, and especially preemies, should be monitored very carefully when presenting with any symptoms of illness.

MaBelleVie

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 10:03 am

amother wrote:

Benadryl serves a totally different purpose and would not be safe at all for such young babies. Albuterol opens the airways, which is the most crucial for infants that have compromised breathing. The dosage should be monitored carefully because it can increase heart rate, among other side effects.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 10:08 am

MaBelleVie wrote:

I understand how both meds work, but dont understand how they could prescribe something as dangerous as albuterol, when benedryl, which dries up mucous and typically doesn't increase heart rate, would be not be prescribed.

amother

Mon, Nov 17 2014, 10:16 am

amother wrote:

As posted before, they don't serve the same purpose.

Personally, I didn't see any side effects when using albuterol on my kids. And, knowing what the results of leaving them untreated can be, I don't even think twice. It really is a lifesaver.