What does an infant or child with respiratory distress commonly do to maintain alveoli expansion?

An infant or child experiencing respiratory distress often resorts to grunting as a means of maintaining alveolar expansion. This sound is produced when the child exhales against a closed glottis, which helps to increase end-expiratory lung volume and improve oxygenation by keeping the alveoli open longer. By doing this, the child attempts to maximize the effectiveness of each breath taken in an effort to compensate for the reduced oxygenation and increased work of breathing in respiratory distress.

Other sounds such as coughing, sneezing, or wheezing may indicate other respiratory issues. Coughing is typically a reflex to clear the airway, sneezing is related to nasal irritations, and wheezing is usually a sign of constricted airways. However, none of these serve the specific purpose of enhancing alveolar expansion as effectively as grunting during respiratory distress. Therefore, grunting stands out as the protective mechanism employed by infants and children in these critical situations.