Respitory Infections in Infants

Im a little frustrated right now , my 5mnth old daughter has had 4 upper respitory infections in such a short time and her ped wants to continue to give her steroids and use the nebulizer. I have questioned her ped regarding asthma or allgeries since I myself have asthma and allergies and she says she is to young for to do any test. Im against giving her so many meds 1. because of them being habit forming 2. Im concerned of the weight problems steroids can cause 3. because it seems that they are only masking the problem witout finding the cause . If anyone can shed some light on infant respitory infection I would appreciate it greatly . My older sons 4 1/2 and 3 have had no problems so Im stump . Thank you in advance for all your suggestions and all the misspelled words up late with the baby .

Respond to Question

What can I do next?

Add your own comment
Ask your own question
Join the Mamapedia community
Report this as inappropriate
Share this with your friends

Write K.B. a private message
Read more that K.B. has written
Browse local questions
Is this helpful? Yes | No

So What Happened?™

I wanted to update everyone and thank them for all thier help . Im currently looking for another ped for all 3 of my little ones , I cant except that all docs want to medicate kids without looking for a problem .

More Answers

C.S. answers from Chicago on May 12, 2008

I totally understand where you're at. I went through a similar situation with my now 4 year old. It started at 18 months though. She's been diagnosed with RAD (asthma caused by respiratory infections).

The nebulizer steroids are not the same as prednisone. They won't be habit forming. The only side effects that I have found through research is a possibility of not growing as quickly.

My guess is the ped is concerned that there is an underlying inflamation causing these reoccurances. The nebulizer steroids will take down this inflamation that causes the breathing difficulties.

I'm also guessing that they think that your child has a chronic condition such as asthma or RAD.

I have had really good results with Dr. Chung at Children's Memorial Hospital.

We too really really don't like using a lot of medications for fear of all that awful stuff in such a little body. We found that we have actually been able to cut down on the really scary meds if we up some of these steroids (pulmicort) a little. She's done really well on this and stayed out of the hospital for almost a year now.

She's also very supportive and encouraging of complimntary medicine. We do chinese herbs with an accupuncturist and she does homeopathics with us too.

Good luck. I know how scary and awful this is.

2 moms found this helpful

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

S.W. answers from Chicago on May 13, 2008

working in the peds office- this is not that uncommon. I understand your frustration. Hopefully, with sick season soon behind us she will get better. I really recommend getting a ped you feel comfortable with and who can answer your questions and help you feel at easy. But I agree that the med for the neb is not habit forming, and they do not need to be weaned from them. Have you read about the medications? what it helps with and side effects etc? many children develop RAD with a cold who do not have asthma and need a neb or inhaler. good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

J.S. answers from Chicago on May 12, 2008

Get a second opinion. Either take your daughter to a lung specialist or allergist. See what they say. I understand your frustration and seeing your baby sick puts us all over the edge as moms.

I wouldn't worry too much about weight gain in a 5 month old though. They're supposed to put on weight.