When to coordinate a medical teleconsultation for a child's respiratory condition?

Respiratory diseases in children are one of the main concerns of parents, especially during the fall and winter months in Chile. Conditions such as the common cold, bronchitis or Obstructive Bronchial Syndrome (OBS) They usually generate many doubts about where and when to go to consult.

In this article we will explain how the telemedicine It can be a quick and highly decisive tool to orient and guide you in caring for your children from home, and how to accurately identify those physical signs that require going to a traditional emergency service.

What can be solved by Telemedicine in Pediatrics?

Many parents fear that the lack of a physical exam with a stethoscope will prevent good care. However, in pediatrics, visual observation and detailed clinical questioning of caregivers provide more than 80% of the key diagnostic information.

Through a video call, the Dr. Dino González can:

• Evaluate Respiratory Pattern: Observe the child's chest to measure his or her respiratory rate and muscle effort.
• Prescribe and Adjust Dosage: Prescribe traditional medications (antihistamines, oral corticosteroids or bronchodilators such as Salbutamol) and explain the exact doses according to the child's weight.
• Inhaler Education: Teach the correct use of the air chamber, a critical factor where more than 50% of treatment errors are made at home.
• Care Support: Guide in nasal cleansing with physiological saline, fever management and environmental measures at home.

"Telemedicine is ideal for the initial management of colds, suspected mild obstructive symptoms and post-emergency follow-up, avoiding exposing the child to in-person waiting rooms saturated with viruses."

🚨 Warning Signs: When to go to a Physical Emergency

Although telemedicine is excellent for guiding and prescribing treatments, there are physical signs of severe obstruction or severe respiratory distress requiring an in-person examination and immediate oxygen therapy.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, do not coordinate telemedicine; Go immediately to the nearest SAPU, SAR or Clinic:

• Costal Retraction: The child's ribs sink strongly when breathing (the bones of the chest or neck become marked).
• Nasal Flaring: The nostrils (nose) open and close rapidly with each breath.
• Cyanosis: Bluish or purple discoloration around the lips, tongue or on the nails.
• Stridor or Groaning: You hear a loud wheezing or constant hoarse noise (like moaning) when you breathe.
• Lethargy or Food Refusal: The infant is extremely weak, does not respond to the call or refuses to breastfeed or bottle due to lack of air.