Respiratory Distress in Children - Emergency Guatemala
Urgent management of acute respiratory problems
Respiratory distress in children can progress rapidly and requires urgent evaluation. With specialized Emergency Medicine training and CPR/PALS certifications, I identify and treat bronchospasm, pneumonia, and other causes of respiratory distress before they become critical.
⚠️ Signs of urgent respiratory distress
Chest retractions when breathing (ribs pulling in)
Breathing very fast (tachypnea)
Making noises when breathing (wheezing, stridor)
Blue lips or fingers (cyanosis)
Nasal flaring (nostrils opening wide)
Grunting or difficulty talking/eating due to shortness of breath
⚡ Urgent evaluation at hospitals - DON’T wait
Respiratory distress requires quick action
Respiratory emergencies are one of the most common causes of pediatric hospitalization. As a pediatric emergency physician with CPR and PALS certifications, I’m trained to quickly assess severity using clinical scales, identify the cause (bronchospasm, pneumonia, foreign body, etc.), and provide appropriate treatment. I work in hospitals equipped to handle critical cases requiring oxygen, frequent nebulization treatments, or even mechanical ventilation.
Why evaluate respiratory distress with Dr. Sandy?
Respiratory Emergency Training
Specialization from Hospital Infantil de México in managing respiratory emergencies: severe bronchospasm, pneumonia, respiratory failure. I’ve managed hundreds of critical cases.
Emergency Certifications
AHA CPR and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). Trained to handle severe respiratory failure, advanced airway management, and resuscitation if necessary. Prepared for the worst.
Rapid Assessment with Clinical Scales
I use validated scales to objectively determine severity (mild, moderate, severe). This allows me to quickly decide if hospitalization, oxygen, or only outpatient treatment is needed.
Complete Hospital Management
Access to nebulization treatments, oxygen, chest X-rays, labs, and other resources needed to treat serious respiratory problems. Coordination with respiratory therapy if ventilatory support is needed.
Respiratory Emergency Training
Specialization from Hospital Infantil de México in managing respiratory emergencies: severe bronchospasm, pneumonia, respiratory failure. I’ve managed hundreds of critical cases.
Emergency Certifications
AHA CPR and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). Trained to handle severe respiratory failure, advanced airway management, and resuscitation if necessary. Prepared for the worst.
Rapid Assessment with Clinical Scales
I use validated scales to objectively determine severity (mild, moderate, severe). This allows me to quickly decide if hospitalization, oxygen, or only outpatient treatment is needed.
Complete Hospital Management
Access to nebulization treatments, oxygen, chest X-rays, labs, and other resources needed to treat serious respiratory problems. Coordination with respiratory therapy if ventilatory support is needed.
Ready for your child to receive specialized care?
Experience the difference of comprehensive, personalized treatment
🚨 EMERGENCY respiratory signs - hospital NOW
Go IMMEDIATELY to nearest hospital if your child has:
Cyanosis (blue color)
Blue or purple lips, tongue, fingers, or skin
Hospital IMMEDIATE - indicates insufficient oxygenation, risk of respiratory arrestSevere retractions
Marked sinking of ribs, collarbones, or area below neck when breathing
Hospital IMMEDIATE - indicates extreme respiratory effort, can tire outUnable to speak/eat
Cannot speak sentences or words, cannot eat/drink due to shortness of breath
Hospital IMMEDIATE - indicates significant obstructionAltered consciousness
Confusion, extreme lethargy, drowsiness, difficulty waking
Hospital IMMEDIATE - indicates brain hypoxia (low oxygen to brain)Respiratory pauses (apnea)
Stops breathing for seconds, pauses between breaths
Hospital IMMEDIATE - sign of extreme respiratory fatigueRapid worsening
Respiratory distress noticeably worsening in minutes despite treatment
Hospital IMMEDIATE - don’t wait to see if it improvesStridor at rest
High-pitched noise when breathing (like whistling) heard even when calm
Hospital URGENT - indicates upper airway obstructionSilent chest
Respiratory distress but almost no air entry heard on exam
Hospital IMMEDIATE - indicates severe obstruction, very seriousSpecialized Pediatric Care in Zone 9
Dra. Sandyita Pedia - Zona 9
4A Avenida 12-46, Centro Médico Aurora, Zona 9Modern clinic in the heart of Zone 9 Guatemala
Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (afternoon appointment only)
Emergency Care
24/7 Pediatric Emergencies
Coverage Areas
Guatemala City
- • Zone 9, 10, 14, 15
- • Zone 1, 4, 13
- • Aurora Airport Area
Metropolitan Area
- • Mixco
- • Villa Nueva
- • Santa Catarina Pinula
- • San José Pinula
Hospital Coverage
- • Hospital Roosevelt
- • Hospital General San Juan de Dios
- • Private hospitals in Guatemala City
- • Nearby hospital facilities
Frequently asked questions, clear answers
Have more questions? Let’s talk on WhatsApp for personalized answers about your child’s care.
Other services you may be interested
General Pediatric Emergencies
For other emergencies besides respiratory problems. Emergency physician with experience in critical cases.
Sick Visit
For respiratory problems that aren’t emergencies: persistent cough, colds, asthma follow-up.
High Fever in Babies
Respiratory distress with fever may be pneumonia. Urgent evaluation for diagnosis.