Air bubbles in the lungs are typically found in babies and infants and can be caused by a medical condition called Pneumothora. This is when air or gas collects in the space between the chest and around the lungs leading to the collapse of the lungs, causing a medical emergency.
It normally occurs in infants when tiny air called alveoli burst, leaking air into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, known as the pleural space. This condition is caused by respiratory distress syndrome, which regularly occurs in babies who are born premature.
Another cause for having air bubbles in lung is called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, which is again found in newborn babies. This occurs where the baby may have breathing problems after breathing in their first bowel movement, called Meconium.
An air leak in the lungs can be developed when a baby takes few breaths after being born because of the pressure used to expand the lungs for the first time. Symptoms of the condition include a bluish skin color, quick breathing, nostrils flaring up, irritability and restlessness - but not all infants with the conditions experience symptoms.
If a baby has any of these symptoms the doctor is likely to place a needle or thin tube called a catheter into the baby's chest to remove the air that has leaked into the chest space. Some air leaks will disappear without treatment and generally this is the case. However, babies put on breathing machines need to be watched carefully as air leaks in the lungs can transpire.
This condition known as tension Pneumothorax, takes places when pressure is put on the lungs and the heart by a build up of air in the chest and can turn out to be a medical emergency if not treated immediately.
It normally occurs in infants when tiny air called alveoli burst, leaking air into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, known as the pleural space. This condition is caused by respiratory distress syndrome, which regularly occurs in babies who are born premature.
Another cause for having air bubbles in lung is called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, which is again found in newborn babies. This occurs where the baby may have breathing problems after breathing in their first bowel movement, called Meconium.
An air leak in the lungs can be developed when a baby takes few breaths after being born because of the pressure used to expand the lungs for the first time. Symptoms of the condition include a bluish skin color, quick breathing, nostrils flaring up, irritability and restlessness - but not all infants with the conditions experience symptoms.
If a baby has any of these symptoms the doctor is likely to place a needle or thin tube called a catheter into the baby's chest to remove the air that has leaked into the chest space. Some air leaks will disappear without treatment and generally this is the case. However, babies put on breathing machines need to be watched carefully as air leaks in the lungs can transpire.
This condition known as tension Pneumothorax, takes places when pressure is put on the lungs and the heart by a build up of air in the chest and can turn out to be a medical emergency if not treated immediately.
