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Wheezing, Pediatric

Samuel B. Goldfarb, MD and Lee J. Brooks, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Wheezing is a continuous sound that is caused by turbulent airflow through an obstructed airway. 
  • Often described as musical in nature and with a variable pitch

  • Wheezing is an expirato...

DIAGNOSIS

Approach to the patient 
  • Phase 1: Determine the severity of the patient’s general status and degree of respiratory distress and triage accordingly.

  • Phase 2: Construct a differential diagnosis.

  • ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • A trial of bronchodilator therapy (e.g., albuterol) may be both therapeutic and diagnostic of the reversible airway obstruction characteristic of asthma.

  • For acute asthma exac...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Castro-Rodriguez JA, Rodrigo GJ. Efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in infants and preschoolers with recurrent wheezing and asthma: a systemic review with meta-analysis. Pediatrics...

CODES

ICD9

786.07 Wheezing 

ICD10

R06.2 Wheezing 

SNOMED

  • 56018004 Wheezing (finding)

  • 9763007 expiratory wheezing (finding)

FAQ

  • Q: What percentage of recurrent wheezing resolves by school age?

  • A: Roughly 40% of children with ≥1 episode of wheezing before 3 years clear by 6 years of age.

  • Q: Should chest radiographs be routine...

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