WARNING: The information in this section is meant as a general guide for parents and caregivers with certain problems related to aspiration of secretions. It is not intended to replace the recommendations of your child’s healthcare team.

Discuss your child’s unique needs with the healthcare team, including WHO and WHEN to contact when problems arise.

Fever with or without general malaise: ≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C buccal or ≥ 37.5⁰C armpit

General irritability, poor appetite, fatigue or wanting to sleep more than usual (lethargy)

One or more of these symptoms of breathing difficulties: shortness of breath, trouble breathing or noisy breathing - breathing more quickly - chest pain - coughing more than usual or has a weaker cough - faster heart rate than usual - chest retractions and/or nasal flaring - decreased oxygen saturation compared to their normal values - purple or gray lips, tongue or fingertips (cyanosis) - clammy skin\cold extremities - changes to behavior either fatigue or irritability - more comfortable breathing when sitting up - extends their neck and head backwards to take in a breath

One or more of these symptoms: decreased urination - increased thirst - dry lips and mouth - faster heart rate than usual - weight loss

Blood-tinged secretions

Difficulty or impossibility to aspirate secretions

Resistance or impossibility to insert the aspiration catheter into the tracheal cannula

Resistance or impossibility to insert the aspiration catheter via the nose

Vomiting during the aspiration of secretions

Nosebleeds after nasopharyngeal aspiration

Prolonged cough or spasms of cough during aspiration of nasopharygeal or tracheobronchial secretions

Pallor (paleness), blue lips or blue nails; oxygen desaturation, as indicated by a monitor

Weakness, fainting or loss of consciousness

Suction device noisy

Suction device not working

Do not hesitate to contact your child’s healthcare team for any questions or for specific advice related to your child’s condition.

When to consult your healthcare team

General state of health

When your child has any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever (≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 5⁰C oral or ≥ 37.5⁰C armpit)
  • General irritability, poor appetite, fatigue or wanting to sleep more than usual (lethargy)
  • Signs and/or symptoms of breathing difficulties:
    • Short of breath, trouble breathing or noisy breathing,
    • Breathes more quickly,
    • Chest pain,
    • Coughs more than usual or weaker cough,
    • Heart rate faster than usual,
    • Chest retraction and/or nasal flaring,
    • Oxygen saturation monitor indicates that your child has a decreased oxygen saturation compared to their normal values,
    • Purple or gray lips, tongue or fingertips (cyanosis),
    • Clammy skin\cold extremities,
    • Changes to behavior either fatigue or irritability,
    • More comfortable breathing when sitting up,
    • Extends their neck and head backwards to take in a breath.
  • Signs and/or symptoms of dehydration:
    • Decreased urination,
    • Increased thirst,
    • Dry lips and mouth,
    • Faster heart rate than usual,
    • Weight loss.

Secretions

  • Secretions are blood-tinged, bloody or red coloured.

During suctioning

  • Aspiration of secretions is difficult or impossible.
  • Insertion of the aspiration catheter is difficult or impossible.
  • Your child vomits during aspiration of secretions.
  • Your child’s nose starts to bleed after nasopharyngeal aspiration of secretions.
  • Your child coughs without stopping after nasopharyngeal or tracheobronchial aspiration of secretions.

Equipment

  • The suction machine is excessively noisy.
  • The suction machine does not work.

Your child’s healthcare team will take the opportunity during your child’s follow-up appointments to review your child’s care and equipment. Adjustments will be made as required.

Do not hesitate to refer to your child’s healthcare team for any questions or for specific advice related to your child’s condition.