What term describes inward chest movement in children during breathing?

• A. Retractions
• B. Cyanosis
• C. Flail chest
• D. Paradoxical movement

Answer: (A)

Inward chest movement during inspiration in children signals increased work of breathing. This is called retractions. Because a child’s chest wall is more compliant, when airways are narrowed or lung tissue is inflamed, the muscles pull the chest wall inward to try to draw air in. Retractions can be seen under the rib cage, between the ribs, or above the collarbone and often accompany rapid breathing and other signs of distress. Cyanosis is a color change from hypoxemia, not a movement of the chest wall; paradoxical movement refers to a chest segment moving in the opposite direction during breathing and is typically linked to severe trauma with a flail chest, not the common sign of pediatric respiratory distress. So the inward chest movement described is retractions.