Breathing Difficulties in Children
Noisy breathing, wheeze, shortness of breath or a general sense that a child isn't breathing quite right can be worrying for any family. Dr Harvey Kok provides specialist evaluation of breathing difficulties in children, working to identify the underlying cause and how it's affecting your child's day-to-day life, activity and comfort.
What we assess
Breathing difficulties can arise from many different causes, ranging from common conditions such as asthma or viral infections, to less common structural or functional issues affecting the airway or lungs. A thorough assessment helps distinguish between these possibilities and guides the right treatment path.
Symptoms that may prompt an assessment
Wheeze or a whistling sound when breathing
Noisy or laboured breathing, including stridor (a harsh sound, often on breathing in)
Shortness of breath at rest or with exertion
Rapid or effortful breathing
Reduced exercise tolerance or reluctance to keep up with peers
Breathing difficulty that disrupts sleep
Recurrent episodes without a clear explanation
Assessment approach - A whole-child approach
Dr Kok takes a thorough history of when and how symptoms occur, alongside a physical examination. Depending on the presentation, this may be supported by lung function testing, imaging, or other investigations to clarify the underlying cause. Where symptoms suggest a structural airway issue, appropriate referral for further specialist review may be arranged.
Because breathing difficulties can affect sleep, feeding, growth, activity and confidence, assessment looks beyond the symptom itself to understand its impact on your child and your family, and to build a management plan that addresses the underlying cause.
Next steps - Schedule an Assessment
If your child has ongoing or unexplained breathing difficulties, contact Little Lungs to arrange an assessment with Dr Kok, or ask your GP or paediatrician about a referral.
Paediatric Respiratory & Sleep Services across Sydney & Newcastle
Whether your child has been recently diagnosed with a respiratory condition, you have concerns about their sleep, or you are simply looking for a specialist who will take the time to listen, Little Lungs is here for you. We are committed to helping children across Sydney breathe well, sleep well, and thrive.