Paediatrics and flying

• infants - there is a risk of barotitis media during descent. The risk of barotitis media can be reduced by the infant sucking a dummy or breastfeeding. Also the use of nasal decongestants 30 minutes before descent may also be of benefit.
• infectious diseases - an airline cannot carry a passenger with an infectious disease. A patient who is recovering from an infectious disease must be beyond the infectious stage.
• neonates - in general, it is safe to travel from 2 to 3 days old if there are no neonatal medical problems.

Note that these are only guidelines and each airline has its own regulations and medical standards.

Reference:

1. 'Medical guidelines for air travel', Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, October 1996, 67, 10, 11.
2. Doctor (April 2005). Ready Reckoner - fitness to fly.