Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Precision Induction and Distinction of Coughing and Sneezing Reflexes in Mice
09:30

Precision Induction and Distinction of Coughing and Sneezing Reflexes in Mice

Published on: October 3, 2025

801

Cough and you'll miss it

Seana Molloy1, Gemma Batchelor2, Luke McCadden3

  • 1Paediatrics, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, UK seana.molloy@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Education and Practice Edition
|October 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

A 9-month-old boy experienced acute wheezing, initially resolving but returning with respiratory distress. This case highlights the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in young children with sudden onset wheeze.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • A 9-month-old boy with a history of cleft lip repair and awaiting palatoplasty presented with acute wheezing.
  • The child had mild eczema and a small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), with no prior wheezing episodes.

Observation:

  • Initial presentation resolved spontaneously, with normal oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, leading to discharge with safety net advice.
  • The child re-presented two days later with cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath, exhibiting subcostal recession and reduced air entry on the right.

Findings:

  • Despite initial presentation, the second assessment revealed signs of respiratory distress without audible wheeze or crackles.
  • Vital signs remained stable with 98% oxygen saturation, but the respiratory rate increased.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of foreign body aspiration presenting as acute wheeze in infants.
  • Prompt re-evaluation is crucial for infants with persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms after initial discharge.
  • Further investigation may be warranted to rule out underlying conditions or complications.

Keywords:
coughforeign body aspirationpaediatricwheeze

More Related Videos

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice04:33

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Published on: August 2, 2024

1.1K
Machine Learning-Based Cough Tone Classification: Diagnostic Exploration of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Tract Infections06:22

Machine Learning-Based Cough Tone Classification: Diagnostic Exploration of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Tract Infections

Published on: September 19, 2025

386

Related Concept Videos

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
889
Chronic Pharyngitis01:23

Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis refers to persistent inflammation of the pharyngial mucosa.
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
10.4K
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation01:31

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation

In assessing respiratory abnormalities, palpation and auscultation are critical tools for detecting and interpreting various pathophysiological changes. These techniques provide insight into underlying disorders by evaluating tactile sensations and sounds produced by the respiratory system.
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
1.3K
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
2.9K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease01:22

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
2.2K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants01:27

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Decongestants are a class of medications used primarily to alleviate nasal congestion, a common symptom resulting from allergies, colds, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. These drugs work by activating α-adrenergic receptors, constricting small blood vessels in the nasal membranes. This action results in the opening of clogged nasal passages, thereby facilitating sinus drainage and relieving congestion.
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in...
747