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Dysfunctional Breathing in Children: A Literature Review
Georgia Karkouli1, Konstantinos Douros1, Dafni Moriki1
1Allergology and Pulmonology Unit, 3rd Pediatric Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.
Insights
Dysfunctional breathing (DB) involves abnormal breathing patterns impacting children and adults. Early diagnosis and a multidimensional approach are key for effective management and improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is characterized by abnormal respiratory patterns, affecting children and adults with diverse physiological, psychological, and social impacts.
- Symptoms include breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations, and anxiety, often linked to breathing pattern disorders and upper airway issues.
- DB frequently co-occurs with conditions like asthma and anxiety, leading to misdiagnosis and complicating treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on dysfunctional breathing in children.
- To review classifications, epidemiology, comorbidities, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies for pediatric DB.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pediatric dysfunctional breathing.
- Analysis of diagnostic tools including history, physical examination, structured light plethysmography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and laryngoscopy.
- Examination of multidimensional management strategies.
Main Results:
- Prevalence data in pediatrics shows female overrepresentation.
- Common comorbidities include asthma, GERD, nasal diseases, and anxiety/depression.
- Effective management requires a combination of breathing retraining, speech therapy, psychotherapy, and potentially surgery.
Conclusions:
- Dysfunctional breathing in children requires a comprehensive understanding due to its complex nature and comorbidities.
- Accurate diagnosis through appropriate tools is crucial for effective, individualized treatment plans.
- A multidimensional therapeutic approach is essential for managing pediatric DB and improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Dysfunctional breathing (DB) describes a respiratory condition that is mainly characterized by abnormal breathing patterns, affecting both children and adults, often leading to intermittent or chronic complaints and influencing physiological, psychological, and social aspects. Some symptoms include breathlessness; dizziness; palpitations; and anxiety, while its classification lies in breathing pattern disorders and upper airway involvement. Its prevalence among the pediatric population varies with a female overrepresentation, while the existence of comorbidities in DB, such as asthma, gastro-esophageal reflux, nasal diseases, and anxiety/depression, frequently leads to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis and complicates therapeutic approaches. The basic diagnostic tools involve a detailed history, physical examination, and procedures such as structured light plethysmography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and laryngoscopy when a laryngeal obstruction is present. The management of DB presumes a multidimensional approach encompassing breathing retraining, disease-specific advice through speech and language therapy in the presence of laryngeal obstruction, psychotherapy for fostering self-efficacy, and surgical therapy in a structural abnormality. The current review was developed to provide a summary of classifications of DB and epidemiological data concerning the pediatric population, comorbidities, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches to enhance the comprehension and management of DB in children.
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