Health Topics for Prepare for Emergencies

Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center

Breathing emergencies in children

A child may stop breathing for a number of reasons such as obstructed airway, head injury, drowning, allergic reaction, or asthma. Obstructed airway is the most common reason in smaller children.

There are 4 important signs in a child who you suspect has stopped breathing:

• the child's chest does not rise and fall
• no air can be felt moving in and out of the child's nose and mouth
• no air can be heard moving in and out when you put your ear to the child's mouth and nose and
• the child's skin is pale or has a bluish color

If a baby or a child stops breathing, immediate emergency action is needed. Call 911 or the emergency medical system in your area.

It is important to learn basic life support techniques for choking and other medical emergencies.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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