Overview of wheeze

Wheeze is produced by turbulent airflow in the lower airways. It is most commonly heard as a high-pitched whistle on expiration.

Parents and carers often incorrectly identify wheeze. The ‘What is asthma?’ video on The Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne) website can be used to educate parents or carers to correctly identify wheeze. Hearing the wheeze in person or via a recording can help confirm the symptom.

Wheeze can be acute or chronic.

Acute wheeze is common in infants and children. Causes of acute wheeze vary, but asthma should not be the assumed diagnosis, particularly in infants. See Acute wheeze in infants 12 months and younger and Acute wheeze and assessment for asthma in children 1 to 5 years for more information.

Urgently refer infants or children with sudden-onset acute wheeze if foreign body aspiration or anaphylaxis is suspected.

Chronic wheeze in infants and children can be caused by a number of conditions. In a thriving infant, ongoing daily expiratory wheeze occurring from the first few weeks of life, without respiratory distress, sleep disturbance or cough may be due to tracheobronchomalacia rather than asthma. Referral is indicated for most infants and children with chronic wheeze.