Common Medical Problems in Infants
There are a few medical problems that are very common especially during the first couple of weeks after birth. If you notice any of the following in your baby, contact your physician. Being alert and aware of common medical problems can help to prevent further damage from being done.
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1. Abdominal distention. It is normal for babies to be full, and have their bellies stick out after a large feeding. However, if between feedings, your babies belly is still hard and swollen, and if he has not had a bowel movement (stool) for more than one or two days, or has been vomiting, contact your physician. The problem is most likely gas or constipation, but this can be indicative of a more serious problem.
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2. Birth injuries. It is quite common for a birth injury to occur especially if labor has been especially if labor has been especially long or difficult. The most common is an injury to the collarbone, which will heal quickly if the arm is kept relatively motionless. A few weeks after birth, a small bump should appear over the injured collarbone. This indicates that it is healing.
A second injury is muscle weakness, caused by labor pressure or stretching of the nerves attached to the muscles. Weakness may occur in the face or one shoulder or arm, generally returning to normal within a few weeks. In the meantime, ask your pediatrician to show you how to nurse the baby.
A second injury is muscle weakness, caused by labor pressure or stretching of the nerves attached to the muscles. Weakness may occur in the face or one shoulder or arm, generally returning to normal within a few weeks. In the meantime, ask your pediatrician to show you how to nurse the baby.
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3. Blue Baby. Babies sometimes have mildly blue hands and feet, but this may not be a cause for concern. If the baby was outside recently, and his feet turn blue, they should return to pink soon after being warmed up. Occasionally, after crying hard, the baby’s face might turn a little blue. Once he becomes calm, his color should return to normal. However, persistently blue coloring, especially with breathing or feeding difficulties could mean that the heart or lungs are not working properly. In this case, the blue discoloration would indicate that the baby is not getting enough oxygen in the blood. Immediate medical attention is essential.
4. Coughing. If the baby drinks too quickly or tries to drink water for the first time, he may cough or sputter a bit, but this should stop as soon as he adjusts to the feeding routine. If he coughs persistently or routinely gags during feedings, contact your pediatrician. These problems could indicate a problem with the lungs or digestive tract.
5. Excessive Crying. All newborns cry, often for no apparent reason. If your baby is fed, burped, warm, and dressed in a clean diaper, the best tactic is to simply hold him and talk or sing to him until he stops crying. You cannot “spoil” a baby this age by giving him too much attention. If this doesn’t work, wrap him snugly in a blanket. However, if the crying ever sounds peculiar, outside its normal tone- for example, shrieks of pain- or if it persists for an unusual length of time, it could mean a medical problem.
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6. Jaundice. Every healthy newborn has a slight yellowish tinge to their skin known as jaundice. It is caused by a buildup of a chemical called bilirubin in the blood. This occurs when the immature liver has not yet begun to efficiently do its job of removing bilirubin from the bloodstream. Although this is normal for even healthy babies to have a little bit of jaundice, it can become a serious condition when the bilirubin reaches a high level. It can lead to nervous system and brain damage. Jaundice first appears in the face and then the chest and abdomen, and then the arms and legs in some instances. At three to five days old, a pediatrician should see the baby since this is the time that the bilirubin is highest. Some newborns should be seen sooner, including:
· Those with a high bilirubin level before leaving the hospital
· Those born early (more than 2 weeks before the due date)
· Those whose jaundice is present in the 24 hours after birth
· Those who are not breastfeeding well
· Those with considerable bruising and bleeding under the scalp, associated with labor and delivery
· Those who have a parent or sibling who had high bilirubin levels and was treated for it.
· Those with a high bilirubin level before leaving the hospital
· Those born early (more than 2 weeks before the due date)
· Those whose jaundice is present in the 24 hours after birth
· Those who are not breastfeeding well
· Those with considerable bruising and bleeding under the scalp, associated with labor and delivery
· Those who have a parent or sibling who had high bilirubin levels and was treated for it.
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Treatment for Jaundice includes placing the infant under a special light either in the hospital or at home. His eyes will need to be covered to protect them from the therapy. This treatment can prevent harmful effects of jaundice. Infants who are breastfed may have jaundice that lasts for more than two or three weeks. In those who are formula-fed, jaundice should go away by two weeks of age.
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7. Lethargy and sleepiness. Sleepiness in newborns is very normal. As long as he wakes up, eats well, seems content, and is alert part of the day, it’s perfectly normal to sleep for the rest of the time. But if he’s rarely alert, does not wake up on his own for feedings, or seems too tired or uninterested to eat, you should consult a pediatrician. This lethargy—especially if it’s outside of his usual pattern—may be a symptom of a serious illness.
8. Respiratory distress. It may take your baby a few hours after birth to form a regular pattern of breathing, but then he should have no further difficulties. If he seems to be breathing unusually, it is most often from a blockage of the nasal passages. The use of saline drops followed by a bulb syringe is what may help to fix the problem. Both of these are available over the counter at pharmacies. However, if your baby shows any of the following warning signs, notify your physician immediately:
· Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute). However, keep in mind that babies normally breathe more rapidly than adults.
· Flaring her nose
· Persistent blue coloring
· Grunting while breathing
· Retractions—sucking in the muscles between the ribs with each breath, so that her ribs stick out.
· Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute). However, keep in mind that babies normally breathe more rapidly than adults.
· Flaring her nose
· Persistent blue coloring
· Grunting while breathing
· Retractions—sucking in the muscles between the ribs with each breath, so that her ribs stick out.
Here is a video depicting a newborn grunting:
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Here is a video depicting a newborn with retractions:
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References
http://www.uofmmedicalcenter.org/fv/groups/public/documents/images/197076.jpg
http://www.forhealths.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cyanotic-heart-disease.jpg
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9E4DO35H-nk/hqdefault.jpg
http://www.abclawcenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/original_photo_therapy_B.jpg
http://babiesmagz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/How-to-Increase-a-Babys-Sleep-Time.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYso_Oz-35k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI2Tjld8-4c