Respiratory Care

The Respiratory Care Department at El Paso Children’s Hospital offers advance pediatric respiratory therapy services, special pediatric diagnostic services and training education to patients, families, physicians, therapists and clinicians. All staff members have the highest pediatric certifications.

Pulmonology and Respiratory Care Department

respiratory care, El Paso Children's Hospital

It can be hard watching your child struggle with issues like asthma, recurring respiratory infections or lung problems due to a premature birth. Few things can keep a parent awake with worry like the sound of a child coughing and wheezing in the night.

But West Texas families facing these challenges have strong and capable friends nearby, at the Pulmonology and Respiratory Care Department at El Paso Children’s Hospital.

Our patient-focused team of pediatric pulmonologists, respiratory therapists and specially-trained clinicians and nurses is committed to one life-changing goal: providing the highest standard of care for kids with lung and airway problems in El Paso and beyond. We blend the latest technologies and techniques with decades of experience and training. The result: world-class pediatric respiratory care that’s close to home, and a program-wide dedication to treating every family with the respect they deserve.

What is Pediatric Pulmonology and Respiratory Care?

Pediatric pulmonology is a medical subspecialty dedicated to diagnosing and treating issues and medical conditions that can impact the function of the lungs and airways in children from birth to age 18.

A Pediatric Pulmonologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) with years of specialized training that helps them recognize, diagnose and treat children’s lung and airway conditions. In addition to graduating from medical school, these specialists also attend a long residency in pulmonology, usually followed by a fellowship or additional training in pediatric pulmonary medicine.

Pediatric respiratory care is also provided by specialists known as pediatric respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists work with a child’s medical team to evaluate, diagnose and treat disorders and conditions that can cause respiratory distress and breathing issues in children. Respiratory therapists usually have a bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy. Their education provides them with training in both diagnosis of children’s lung conditions and the latest techniques to help children with lung and airway problems. That includes both older children with issues like asthma and babies born prematurely, who often have functional issues with their lungs.

Common Conditions

The Pulmonology and Respiratory Care Department at El Paso Children's Hospital is highly experienced in providing diagnosis and care for a variety of lung and airway issues in children from birth to age 18. Common respiratory conditions we treat at El Paso Children's include:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes narrowing and inflammation of a child's airways. It can be triggered by dust, exercise, pet dander, pollen, viral lung infections, breathing very cold air and more. During an asthma attack, the airways constrict, which can cause wheezing, chest tightness and make it hard to breathe. While most cases of asthma can be controlled through inhaled medication (an asthma inhaler), severe or difficult-to-control asthma attacks can become life-threatening.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a potentially dangerous infection that causes the tiny air sacs in the lungs (the alveoli) to fill with pus or mucus. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungal or viral infections of the lungs, with symptoms ranging from severe to mild. Common symptoms of pneumonia in children include constant cough, trouble breathing, severe lung congestion, fever and chills.

Upper Airway Obstruction

This is a condition involving something narrowing, blocking or obstructing the flow of air through the upper airways, which include the trachea (the windpipe), the larynx (the voice box) and the pharynx (the throat). In severe cases, a narrowing or obstruction can make it very hard to breathe. A range of issues can cause an upper airway obstruction in children, including severe asthma attacks, choking after inhaling an object or toxic smoke, severe allergic reactions, epiglottitis, and more.

Pediatric Asthma Specialist - El Paso Children's Hospital

The Pulmonology and Respiratory Care Department at El Paso Children’s Hospital is ready to provide the highest quality pediatric and neonatal respiratory care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer advanced pediatric respiratory therapies and diagnostic services for kids facing these often complex issues. Our staff holds certifications in a variety of pediatric specialties, fields and life-saving techniques. In addition, we provide families, patients, physicians, therapists and clinicians with accurate, evidence-based education and training about lung and airway issues often diagnosed in children.

El Paso Children’s Hospital / Emergency Department

4845 Alameda Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79905

Phone 915-298-5444