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Definition
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Respiratory Distress Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of respiratory distress include:
  • Signs of severe difficulty breathing:
    • Rib retractions: ribs are visible during each breath Images
    • Nasal flaring: nostrils open wide during each breath Images
    • Use of accessory muscles: neck muscles are prominent during each breath Images
  • Cyanosis Images
  • Abnormal lung sounds:
    • During examination with a stethoscope
  • Rapid heart rate VideosImages
  • Rapid breathing rate
AgeUpper NormalAbnormal
6mo - 1 year40 breaths per min60 breaths per min
1 - 3 years30 breaths per min50 breaths per min
4 - 5 years28 breaths per min45 breaths per min
5 - 6 years26 breaths per min40 breaths per min
6 - 12 years24 breaths per min30 breaths per min
Over 12 years20 breaths per min25+ breaths per min
Continue to Respiratory Distress Evaluation
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Last Updated: Jul 8, 2009
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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