What causes coughing in premature infants?

Cough in premature infants may be caused by cold air irritation, allergies, bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux, acute laryngitis, and other factors.

1. Cold Air Irritation

The bodily functions of premature infants are not yet fully developed and are easily affected by external factors. In cold weather or during periods of low temperature in the morning and evening, the respiratory tract of a premature infant may be irritated, leading to temporary airway spasms and coughing. Generally, maintaining warmth and offering appropriate amounts of warm water can help alleviate symptoms.

2. Allergies

If a premature infant has a sensitive constitution and lives in poor environmental conditions, exposure to or inhalation of substances such as pollen, dust, or animal dander when going outdoors may trigger an allergic reaction, resulting in irritative coughing along with sneezing and runny nose. It is recommended to take medications such as compound diphenhydramine ephedrine syrup, desloratadine dry suspension, or loratadine syrup under medical guidance to control the allergic reaction and improve symptoms.

3. Bronchitis

When the bronchi of a premature infant are infected by viruses or bacteria, inflammatory reactions may occur in the airway mucosa. When this inflammation stimulates nerves in the airways, it can lead to symptoms such as coughing and phlegm production. It is recommended to take medications such as cefixime granules, amoxicillin granules, or hydrobromide dextromethorphan syrup according to medical advice to control inflammation and promote sputum clearance.

4. Gastroesophageal Reflux

Stomach acid and irritants may stimulate excessive mucus production in the airway mucosa as a protective response. When this mucus irritates the esophageal lining, it can cause coughing and acid reflux. It is recommended to take medications such as pepsin granules, bacillus subtilis live bacterial granules, or compound pancreatin powder under medical supervision to relieve symptoms.

5. Acute Laryngitis

After acute infection of the laryngeal mucosa by pathogens, inflammatory stimulation can cause redness, congestion, and swelling of the mucosa, leading to coughing. Symptoms may also include hoarseness and fever. It is advised to take medications such as cefixime granules, azithromycin dry suspension, or penicillin V potassium granules under a doctor's guidance to control inflammation and improve symptoms.

In daily life, proper care for premature infants is essential. If coughing persists for an extended period without improvement, timely medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate targeted treatment.