Unexplained Chest Retractions Etc?

Welcome to mamapedia!!

Congratulations on your new baby boy!!

i'm sorry you are going through this. My youngest son was born prematurely and with pneumonia. He too would have rapid breathing - we took him to a pulmonologist and had him evaluated. at that age - we had to give him breathing treatments through a face mask.

I would demand a pulmonologist and get to the bottom of it. Our pulmonologist did a blood test and a CT scan of his chest. I'd have to do some digging - but I'm pretty positive I could find the paperwork. There was something wrong - it was attributed to him having pneumonia but I do NOT remember what they said caused it.

I'm sorry - it's been 12 years - I don't remember what caused his erratic breathing. I just remember knowing it wasn't right. He is now 12 years old and strong and healthy!! We just kept pushing!!

Good luck!

He needs a pulmonary function test and a full cardiac workup. CT, functional ultrasound, EKG. Whether it's asthma or CF or a heart defect or whatever, he's clearly in respiratory distress. An x-ray isn't going to show what's going on.

His chest and heart might "sound" great, but something clearly is wrong that isn't being seen. They need to get the right imaging so they can get a look.

What kind of specialist saw him?

I think another opinion is in order. 6 weeks old and in respiratory distress? I think a pediatric pulmonary specialist is in order and maybe someone else (I'd rule out cardiac issues even if his heart "sounds great"). I'm not sure how his chest "sounds great" if he's got all these breathing issues. I think I'd also look at gastro issues if those others don't give you answers. But a more involved workup is definitely indicated.

If you can't find what you want in your town, go to a children's hospital. He's clearly having difficulty, and he's so little. I know it's hard to deal with all this with a newborn but it sounds like your gut is telling you more is involved. Keep pushing for answers.

Perhaps I am not understanding your descriptions but the average breaths per minute for a six week old is 30-60 so if that is average what you are describing may be on the high end but it doesn't indicate respiratory distress.

Also my kids liked to suck in the gut when they were really little, I never saw it as anything abnormal.

Might I suggest you start listening to your doctor and stop googling so much? The terms you use indicate you are googling because no one I know would call it chest retractions, they would say he is sucking in his gut a lot. Google is not your friend. Sounds to me like you have a normal baby and an abnormal attraction to internet diagnosis.

I thought you were going to be asking about this in an adult. Either way it is very scary sounding.

Second opinion time in my opinion.

I'd want to have a monitor on him 24/7 until he stopped this.

That sounds so scary!