PLEASE NOTE: The information in this section is meant as a general guide to help parents and caregivers with common issues and is not intended to replace the care provided by 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 oral/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

Dizziness or fatigue

Bloating of the abdomen with burping after lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

Stomach upset during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

Chest/abdominal discomfort or pain during lung volume recruitment (breath stacking) or insufflation/exsufflation technique

Inability to expectorate (clear) the secretions

Abdomen does not move outwardly during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

Abdomen does not move outwardly during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

Leak from the nose during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

 

Do not hesitate to refer to 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
  • Your child experiences severe dizziness that lasts after 2 consecutive sessions of cough assist.
  • Your child’s abdomen remains bloated and/or your child burps after lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique.

Respiration/respiratory muscles

  • Your child experiences chest/abdominal pain during lung volume recruitment technique or manual thrusts.
  • You are unable to clear your child’s secretions.
  • Your child’s abdomen does not move outwards during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique.

Equipment

  • A leak around the mouthpiece or through the nose that persists during lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique.

Health

  • Your child experiences severe dizziness that lasts after 2 consecutive sessions of cough assist.
  • Your child’s abdomen remains bloated and/or your child burps after lung volume recruitment technique or insufflation/exsufflation technique

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.