What it means
A sound heard most in newborns and infants. The baby partly closes the vocal cords while breathing out, which keeps some air and pressure in the lungs so the tiny air sacs do not collapse. Along with nasal flaringNAY-zul FLAIR-ingWidening of the nostrils each time a person breathes in.Full entry and chest retractionrih-TRAK-shunA drawing back or pulling in of tissue; in breathing, the skin sinking in between, below or above the ribs with each breath.Full entry , it is one of the classic signs of respiratory distressRES-pruh-tor-ee dih-STRESDifficulty breathing severe enough that a person has to work hard to move air in and out.Full entry in a baby.
For the nurse
Report grunting in a newborn at once, and check oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and color.
At a glance
| Also written | expiratory grunting |
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Related terms
retraction
A drawing back or pulling in of tissue; in breathing, the skin sinking in between, below or above the ribs with each breath.
respiratory distress
Difficulty breathing severe enough that a person has to work hard to move air in and out.
nasal flaring
Widening of the nostrils each time a person breathes in.
intercostal retraction
A sinking in of the skin between the ribs each time the person breathes in.