PUERILE RESPIRATION Meaning and
Definition
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Puerile respiration is a medical term used to describe a type of breathing pattern that is commonly observed in infants and young children. It refers to a shallow and rapid form of respiration characterized by a high respiratory rate and low tidal volume.
In puerile respiration, the child's breathing is generally noisy and accompanied by increased chest movements. The shallow breaths taken are quick and often irregular, resulting in a higher number of breaths per minute than typically seen in adults. The oxygen intake per breath is relatively low due to the shortness of each inhalation.
This type of respiration is considered normal in infants and young children as their respiratory systems are still developing. Puerile respiration helps maintain adequate oxygen levels in their bodies and is often driven by their higher metabolic rate compared to adults.
However, puerile respiration can also occur in certain medical conditions, such as respiratory distress or lung diseases. In these cases, the presence of puerile respiration may indicate a respiratory problem that requires medical attention.
Overall, puerile respiration is a specific breathing pattern observed in infants and young children, characterized by shallow and rapid breaths. While it is often normal in this age group, it can also be a sign of underlying respiratory issues if present in older individuals.
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• The type of respiration as heard in auscultation of children, possessing less of the vesicular character of the adult respiratory sound.
• An exaggeration of the normal respiratory sound, heard in children and in adults after exertion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PUERILE RESPIRATION
Etymology of PUERILE RESPIRATION
The term "puerile respiration" comes from the Latin word "puerilis", which means "of a child". "Respiration" refers to the act of breathing. Together, "puerile respiration" describes a breathing pattern or type of respiration that is characteristic of children.
