The breathing pattern See-Saw Breathing is associated with which condition?

• A. Severe respiratory distress in pediatrics
• B. Head trauma
• C. Abdominal pain
• D. Chronic bronchitis

Answer: (A)

See-saw breathing is a sign of severe respiratory distress in pediatric patients, reflecting fatigue of the respiratory muscles as the child struggles to inhale against an obstruction. The chest and abdomen move in opposite directions during inspiration—paradoxical movement that shows the work of breathing is becoming ineffective. This pattern signals that the child is at risk of respiratory failure and needs rapid airway support, oxygen, and transport.

This pattern isn’t typical of head trauma, abdominal pain, or chronic bronchitis. Head trauma can cause irregular breathing patterns, abdominal pain affects breathing more indirectly, and chronic bronchitis is an adult condition with a different presentation.