What Causes Chest Congestion And Poor Weight Gain In An Infant?

Posted on Sat, 6 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 6 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My baby is 13 months his weight is 8.7 kilos he hasn't put on weight from last one month n half is tht ok and he is coughing from
Last few days I have given him panadol but it's not going it's like chest congestion

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Chest congestion is suggestive of infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
At 13 months, a small illness can prevent the normal weight gain of the baby.
Once the baby recovers from the chest infection, he will again gain weight and be normal in health.
The chest congestion that is present can be worrisome. If there is a wheezing then an infection in airways is likely. Steam inhalation can help him to some extent. If the cough and chest congestion persists for more than a week then he needs a proper evaluation by a pediatrician. Proper antibiotics and a chest X-ray may be needed to rule out pneumonia.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 minutes later)

I am taking diabex will tgt affect my baby m breastfeeding him n his body weight 8.7 kgs normal according to his age he is 1 year

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Diabex can affect the weight gain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Diabex can affect the weight gain of the baby as it is secreted in breast milk. It is best to stop taking Diabex while you are breast feeding. At one year his body weight should be near thrice the birth weight. Minor variation is not worrisome as children do gain weight rapidly once they are free of illness.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 days later)

My has got throat infection doctor has given him abocillin pencillin syrup fr 10 days his chest is clear but coughing hard how long it takes abocilljn yo work he had 2 wice a day

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It takes 2-3 days at least.

Detailed Answer:
It takes at least 2-3 days for the antibiotic to show an effect. Giving him warm fluids and a steam inhalation will also help.
Regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak