What early sign indicates respiratory distress in a child?

Restlessness is indeed an early sign that may indicate respiratory distress in a child. This behavior can reflect the child’s difficulty in breathing and an overall sense of anxiety or discomfort regarding their respiratory status. When a child struggles to get enough air, they often become agitated or restless, indicating that something is wrong, especially in situations that typically don't cause such behavior.

In contrast, while other signs like cyanosis can indicate severe respiratory distress and bradycardia might occur later in a progression of respiratory issues, they do not manifest as early as restlessness does. Rapid breathing can also occur due to various factors, including anxiety, not solely respiratory distress, making restlessness the more definitive early sign in the context of respiratory issues.