The color of normal blood is the typical red with which we all associate it. This color is due to the presence of hemoglobin. This pigment is responsible for capturing the oxygen that enters through the lungs to transport it to the different parts of the body, and that acquires this color when it is loaded with oxygen. On the other hand, when there is oxygen deficiency in the blood, it begins to change color, becoming somewhat bluish or purple, and this color is transferred to the skin due to the lack of blood in the tissues. When it occurs in babies, it is known as a blue baby syndrome, and in them, it is a situation that can be considered normal or pathological, depending on what causes it. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will talk about Blue Baby Syndrome: symptoms, causes, and treatment, so that you know in which situations your baby’s pediatrician is necessary and when it is an ordinary and transitory situation.
Table of Contents
What is blue baby syndrome?
The blue baby syndrome is the more commonly known name for a condition called cyanosis, which occurs in an infant. As you might suppose from the title, the main sign of this syndrome is the change in the baby’s skin tone to a bluish color in various areas of the body, such as the hands, feet, and lips.
The blue baby syndrome is because the whole of a baby’s blood does not have enough oxygen, so it begins to turn blue since the presence of oxygen makes the blood look red. The color of bluish blood passes through the skin and causes it to change its tone.
Causes of the blue baby syndrome
Several situations can cause blue baby syndrome. However, not all of them should be considered illnesses or harmful. The most common ways are:
- Transient central cyanosis can occur in the first 20 minutes of life because the baby is born with much more hemoglobin than his body needs. After all, the fetus shares blood circulation with its mother. Therefore not all the blood will be oxygenated; this means that there is oxygen deficiency.
- Transient peripheral cyanosis: it is widespread in newborns and can last for several days after birth. It is not due to disease but to the vasoconstriction of the blood vessels due to the cold. The extremities are bluish.
There are other, much more delicate conditions that can cause the appearance of the blue baby syndrome, among which are:
- Lung problems: bronchiolitis, asthma, suffocation, pneumonia, fluid build-up in the lungs, drowning, and other breathing limitations.
- Heart problems: heart failure, congenital heart disorders, cardiac arrest.
- Other issues: blockage of blood vessels, hemoglobin disorders, exposure to cold, and seizures.
Symptoms of cyanosis
Cyanosis or blue baby syndrome is not considered a disease but a sign due to some other alteration. The most common symptoms of this manifestation will be mentioned below :
- Sweating
- Low birth weight.
- Irritability.
- Fatigue.
- Low blood pressure
- Redness of the nostrils as a result of difficult breathing.
- Noise during breathing.
- Dyspnoea.
- Fading.
- She repeated respiratory infections.
- Chest pain.
- Fever.
- General tiredness
- Fast breathing.
Treatment of blue baby syndrome
Treatment for this syndrome will depend on the severity of the condition. If you suspect that your baby suffers from the blue baby syndrome or has already been detected, it is best to go to the doctor, determine the cause and eradicate it so that the cyanosis disappears.
The first thing to do is go to the emergency room since this condition can be the result of many factors, so it is necessary to determine the cause to choose the treatment; for this, we will mention the most common methods:
- If the condition is associated with cold, it can be remedied by warm clothes and adequate heating.
- In case of suspected cyanosis at the time of delivery, the baby should be transferred to an intensive care unit to monitor the situation or, in severe cases, neonatal resuscitation.
- Suppose it is due to a cardiac alteration. It will depend on what is recommended by the doctor in charge, which is the pediatrician, who may refer you to the cardiologist, a specialist in the area. If the syndrome has advanced due to a heart abnormality, surgical intervention on the baby may be considered.
- In situations of “shock” or emergency, the first thing to do is call the emergency room so that they are in charge of stabilizing the baby, after which the evolution of cyanosis will be observed.
- In case of lung problems, it is best to see a doctor who will indicate the procedure to follow because there may be a treatment for each alteration. Remember that this syndrome can disappear once the disease that causes it has been treated.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Blue baby syndrome: symptoms, causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.