Chest Infections in Your Premature Baby

Chest infections are very common. Most are coughs and colds. They frequently cause a variety of annoying but not dangerous symptoms such as runny noses, blocked noses, sore throats, sneezing and chest discomfort.

Occasionally more severe chest infections occur and these can be particularly hard on a premature baby. The following may occur if your baby is struggling with a chest infection

• Very fast rate of breathing
• Grunting or harsh breath sounds
• Difficulty breathing
• Abnormal colour: pale, grey or mottled
• Not drinking enough fluids and few wet nappies
• Drowsy
• Very irritable
• Seizure or fit
• Floppy infant

Contact your Doctor if you are concerned that your baby is developing a lung infection that s/he is struggling with.

Important measures to prevent or control chest infections in your premature baby:

• Make sure your baby is getting plenty of milk/fluids and having plenty of wet nappies. Do not worry if your baby is not interested in solids for a short time while sick.
• If your baby has a temperature (>37.5oC) take regular paracetamol according to the recommendations for your baby’s age/weight.
• If your baby is breast fed, continue to breast feed even if mother or baby are sick. You can consider expressing and giving the breast milk in a bottle if that is easier while sick.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol gels. You do not need an antibacterial soap.
• Cover your cough with a tissue or if none to hand, cough into your sleeve or elbow. Wash hands after.
• Most chest infections are spread by very close contact (within 3 feet or 1 metre) or by contact with the environment that has been contaminated. Therefore, when you are not directly caring for your baby such as feeding, bathing or changing a nappy, try to keep a distance of at least 3 feet or 1 metre away. Also, if anyone in the household has a chest infection, regularly clean frequently touched areas such as door knobs, light switches, phones, remote controls etc.
• If your baby is more than 6 months old, ask your G.P. or Paediatrician if the influenza vaccine is recommended for your baby.
• If you have not already had the swine flu vaccine, contact your G.P. to arrange for all household members over 6 months of age to be vaccinated. Even if the flu vaccine is not specifically indicated for you or other household members, it is recommended that they receive the vaccine to protect your premature baby.
• If your Paediatrician recommends Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prophylaxis injections during the RSV season (autumn/winter months), make sure your baby receives all the necessary injections.
• Finally, make sure you and your baby get plenty of rest. Cancel all non-urgent appointments.

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