Chest, Lungs & Breathing

Find out about a range of conditions which affect the lungs, chest and breathing - read about the symptoms, causes, treatment and when to seek help. 

Image of child showing respiratory system

Illustration by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth. 

Asthma

Asthma is a condition that leads to narrowing of the airways of the lungs. Symptoms include wheeze, cough and difficulty breathing.

Apnoea Of Prematurity

If a premature baby has apnoea of prematurity, it means they stop breathing at times for 15 to 20 seconds. 

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chest disease. The airways in the lungs have become damaged and scarred. Once a person has bronchiectasis, they usually have it for life. Good treatment stops it getting worse and in very young children, can reverse some of the disease.

Bronchiectasis Information For Schools

School is really important for children with bronchiectasis. Teachers can make a significant difference.

Bronchiectasis Action Plan

Children and young people with bronchiectasis can have an action plan. You and your doctor or another member of your child's health team can discuss this so that it's right for your child. It lists your child's daily treatment and steps to take if your child becomes unwell. 

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a chest condition that causes breathing problems in pēpi (babies). It's caused by a virus. Bronchiolitis is very easy to catch so wash your hands before and after handling your baby.

Bronchiolitis Animation (Samoan)

O se faamai taatele ma pepesi gofie. E masani ona aafia ai pepe e le i atoa le tasi tausaga o le matua.

Bronchiolitis Animation (Tongan)

Ko ha mahaki angamaheni ‘a e bronchiolitis ‘oku faingofua ‘aupito ke puke mei ai. ‘Oku fa‘a uesia ‘e he bronchiolitis ‘a e fanga ki‘i pēpē si‘i hifo ‘i he ta‘u tahá.

Bronchiolitis | Mate Pekahau Ririki (Animation)

Ko te mate pekahau ririki he mate e kitea whānuitia ana, he mate tino hopuhopu nei hoki. He rite tonu te pā mai a te mate pekahau ririki ki ngā pēpi kāore anō kia tae atu ki te kotahi tau te pakeke.

Colds In Children

Colds are common in tamariki (children). They are caused by viruses that spread easily through coughing and sneezing. Learn more about common cold symptoms and how to manage them.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Cough In Children

Coughing is common in tamariki (children), especially when they are preschool age. A cough that lasts longer than 4 weeks is not normal and may be a sign of more serious disease.

Cough Free: The Way To Be (Video)

If your child has a bad cough, it’s important to recognise it early. A long lasting wet cough can lead to the development of lung diseases such as bronchiectasis.

Croup

Croup is a viral illness in young tamariki (children) which causes narrowing of the upper airways. Croup is often a mild illness but can quickly become serious, so don't hesitate to get medical help.

Croup Animation (Samoan)

O le Croup o se faama‘i e vaiti ai le pito i luga o alāea. E tele ina aafia ai fanau laiti.

Croup Animation (Tongan)

Ko e Croup ko ha mahaki ia ‘oku ne fakatupu ke fāsi‘i ange ‘a e konga ki ‘olunga ‘o e halanga mānavá. ‘Oku lahitaha ‘ene uesia ‘a e fānau ta’u taha kihe tolu.

Croup | Te Mate Maremare Pēpi (Animation)

Ko te mate maremare pēpi ko tētahi mate e whakawhāitihia ngā arahau o runga. I te nuinga o te wā ko ngā kōhungahunga ka pāngia.

Flexible Bronchoscopy In Children

Flexible bronchoscopy helps doctors diagnose and manage medical conditions that affect the airways. Find out more about what a bronchoscopy involves.

Home Oxygen For Infants

Some pēpi (babies) will need home oxygen to help with their breathing.

Keeping Your Home Warm & Dry

Keeping your whānau (family) healthy over winter means keeping your home warm and dry. Check out all the tips in the videos about how to keep your home warm and dry. Find out what support is available.

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Bronchiolitis Animation

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on bronchiolitis, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth bronchiolitis animation in their preferred language. 

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Croup Animation

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on croup, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth croup animation in their preferred language. 

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Illnesses Affecting Breathing

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on a range of illnesses affecting chest, lungs and breathing, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan one of the QR codes with their phone and go straight to the relevant KidsHealth page.

KidsHealth QR Code Poster - Pneumonia Animation

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's animation on pneumonia, you can share a QR code poster. You can watch the animation in English, Samoan, Tongan or te reo Māori. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth pneumonia animation in their preferred language. 

Overnight Oximetry

An oximetry test measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and can be used to assess your child's breathing during sleep. 

Pleural Effusion & Empyema In Children

A pleural effusion is when extra fluid builds up in the space around the lungs. The most common cause of pleural effusion is pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

Pneumonia In Children

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It causes cough, fever and problems with breathing. Most tamariki (children) make a complete recovery from pneumonia.

Pneumonia | Te Pūkahu Kakā (Animation)

Ko te pūkahu kakā he pokenga nō ngā pūkahukahu. Ka pā pea tērā ki ngā tamariki, ahakoa te pakeke.

Pneumonia Animation (Samoan)

O le pneumonia o se faamai e afaina ai māmā. E mafai na aafia ai soo se tamaitiiti.

Pneumonia Animation (Tongan)

Ko e niumōniá ko ha mahaki‘ia ia ‘o e ma‘ama‘á. Te ne lava ‘o uesia ‘a e fānaú ‘i he to‘u kotoa pē.

Polysomnography Sleep Test

Polysomnography (PSG) is a special type of sleep test which provides the most detailed information about breathing problems during sleep.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is one of many viruses that cause infections of the respiratory tract - the parts of the body related to breathing. 

Signs That Children Are Struggling To Breathe

Watch the videos and know the signs and the different noises pēpi (babies) and tamariki (children) can make when they are having trouble breathing. That way you can act fast and get help. 

Sleep & Breathing Problems In Neuromuscular Conditions

Neuromuscular conditions are disorders of the nerves that control the body and muscles. Neuromuscular weakness can affect different muscle groups necessary for breathing. Even when there is no cure for a neuromuscular condition, there are ways to help manage breathing problems that may improve your child's health.

Snoring Or Noisy Breathing In Children

Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep may be a sign that your child is having difficulty breathing. The medical name for this is obstructive sleep apnoea.

Viral Wheeze

Viral wheeze is an infection of the lungs which starts with a cough or cold. It's more common in children under the age of 3 years as their airways are smaller. Viral wheeze can also be called preschool wheeze, episodic wheeze, or viral-induced wheeze.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough can make pēpi very sick and some pēpi can die. Having whooping cough immunisation in pregnancy protects pēpi in their first weeks of life. Start immunising pēpi the day they turn 6 weeks old to keep protecting them.