Bronchiectasis In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Bronchiectasis is a lung condition where your child's bronchi become too wide and build up mucus in them. Your child's bronchi are medium-sized airways (tubes) that carry air in and out of his lungs. Your child's lungs make mucus to trap and remove germs and irritants that he breathes in. The mucus made in his lungs is also called phlegm. Your child's airways are lined with ciliated cells that help move the mucus out of his lungs. With bronchiectasis, your child's airways are damaged and he will have trouble clearing the mucus out. The mucus stays in his airways and germs may grow in it, causing new and repeated lung infections. Over time, this can cause your child's airways to swell, stretch out, and scar.
  
  
• Bronchiectasis is caused by having repeated infections and inflammation (swelling) in the lungs. Inflammation can be caused by diseases that damage your child's lungs, infections, and immune system problems. Other causes include things that irritate or block your child's airways. Your child may have an ongoing cough, trouble breathing, or cough up large amounts of phlegm (mucus). Your child may feel tired and weak, wheeze when breathing, have sinus or nasal drainage, and chest pain. A chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, and sputum samples may help learn more about your child's condition. Treatment includes medicines, chest physiotherapy, and possibly oxygen and surgery if other treatments fail. Early treatment may improve your child's symptoms and prevent further damage to his airways.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help prevent or treat an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory medicines: These are also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. They may help decrease your child's pain and inflammation. Some NSAIDs may be given to decrease your child's high body temperature (fever). This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions before giving this medicine to your child.
  
  
• Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators may be given to help open the air passages in your child's lungs to help him breathe easier.
  
  
• Expectorants: These medicines will help thin your child's sputum (mucus from the lungs). When sputum is thin, it may be easier for him to cough it up and spit it out. This may help your child breathe easier, and may help him get better faster.
  
  
• Immune globulins: This may be given to help your child's immune system fight infection. Ask your caregiver for more information about how immune globulin medicine may help your child.
  
  
• Steroid medicine: This medicine may be given to decrease inflammation which is redness, pain, and swelling. Steroid medicine may help to open your child's air passages so he can breathe easier. This medicine can be helpful but may also have side effects. Be sure you understand why your child needs steroids. Do not stop giving your child this medicine without his caregivers OK. Stopping on your own can cause your child to have a bad response.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Airway clearance techniques:

The mucus in your child's airway can lead to infections and lung damage. You and your child may be taught special exercises to help loosen his mucus. This will help him to breathe easier. These exercises may be used along with special devices to help decrease his symptoms. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about these airway clearance techniques (ACTs).

Diet:

Give your child a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Let him eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your child's caregiver if he needs to be on a special diet.

Oxygen:

Your child may need oxygen to help him breathe easier. Oxygen may be given through a nasal cannula (small tubes placed in the nose) or mask. Do not take off your child's oxygen without asking your child's caregiver first. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your child's oxygen is on. Doing so is very dangerous and may cause a fire.

Physical exercise program:

Exercising and other physical activities can increase your child's energy. Exercising may also make his heart stronger and may help keep him healthier. Physical activities can also help to loosen secretions in his airways and lungs, and help him breathe easier.

Preventing your child's bronchiectasis from getting worse:

• Do not let anyone smoke around your child. Breathing in cigarette smoke can harm your child's body in many ways. Your child is more likely to get certain types of infections if he breathes in cigarette smoke. Being around cigarette smoke can also affect your child’s lungs and cause breathing problems. Do not let anyone smoke inside your home. If you smoke, you should quit. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Keep your child away from people who have colds and the flu. Also try to keep your child away from large groups of people if he is recovering from surgery. This decreases your child's chance of getting sick or getting an infection.
  
  
• Vaccinate your child against the flu and pneumonia. Ask your child's caregiver if he should get a vaccine shot against the flu or pneumonia. The best time to get a flu shot is in October or November. Flu shots are good for one year. Pneumonia shots are good for 5 to 6 years. Ask your caregiver which vaccinations are right for your child.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child is coughing more than usual, or has wheezes (high-pitched sound) while breathing.
  
  
• Your child's medicines do not relieve his symptoms.
  
  
• You or your child have questions or concerns about his medicine, condition, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child is coughing up blood.
  
  
• Your child suddenly has trouble breathing.
  
  
• Your child has trouble thinking, or has fainted.
  
  
• Your child has very bad chest pain.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Bronchiectasis In Children (Aftercare Instructions)