What are the Signs of Distress in Newborn Babies?

Every women at least once in their lifetime wishes to give birth to a child, after all it is a huge blessing and start of an amazing and beautiful new life journey. Pregnancy is indeed a delightful yet wild journey. For expecting women, it is a ride with whirlwind of mixed emotions. From the very first day of conception to giving birth and then raising your baby, it is the most wonderful journey of ‘motherhood’.

Fetal Distress

Fetal here refers to fetus which means the newborn. It is mostly recognized in babies born before their due date.

Symptoms of distress in Newborns

In newborn these are the most noticeable symptoms of distress.

Cyanosis (Bluish skin tone)

Cyanosis or central cyanosis is normally common in infants’ period. Persistent central cyanosis is totally abnormal and must be treated well and properly.  Central cyanosis clearly tells us about cyanosis located in the middle or central body parts of the newborn baby which included mouth, head and torso. The skin and mucus membranes become bluish in cyanosis.

Causes:

• It is actually caused by problems of heart.
• Central cyanosis mainly happens because of the changes of blood color on the basis of presence or absence oxygen.
• Lungs abnormalities can cause cyanosis.
• Lack of oxygen received by lungs can cause cyanosis

Treatment:

It is treated with an injection called prostaglandin which is given to the newly born baby right after being born.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Respiratory distress syndrome or neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is noticeable in premature babies. It is a lung disease which causes difficulties for babies in breathing. Chances of RDS increases if the baby is born before the due date or completing the whole duration of pregnancy which is exactly 9 months. Other than premature babies these are the infants who are at risk of getting RDS.

• Twins or other multiple births
• Babies with XY chromosomes
• Other siblings having RDS infection
• Newborns delivered through C-section
• Infectious infants
• Expecting woman suffering from diabetes

Causes:

• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is mainly found in those newborns whose lungs are underdeveloped.
• It occurs due to lack of a sticky and slippery material known as surfactant. This substance protects the alveoli from shrinking.
• Mostly RDS is found in babies who are premature. The babies who are fully developed inside their mother’s body does not suffer from RDS.
• RDS may occur due to genetic problem.

Surfactant is only formed by a pair of healthy lungs.

Signs and symptoms of RDS:

These symptoms are noticeable in the infants having RDS

• Rapid inhale and exhale of oxygen.
• Difficult and slow breathing
• Babies producing grunting noise while breathing
• Broadening of the nostrils during inhaling and exhaling of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Need of more oxygen in case to keep baby pink, normal and warm.

Prognosis

X-rays of chest are blood tests are done to identify the issue. Endocardiogram is also done to learn about different heart diseases and problems.

Cure or Treatment

These are some ways for cure or treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.

Requirement of oxygen:

Babies suffering from respiratory distress syndrome requires extra oxygen than normal babies to stay warm and pink. Here are some way through which you can fulfil the requirement of the infant.

• A cannula can be attached to the nose of baby which is a small tube attached to the nostrils of baby. This way baby can receive the require quantity of oxygen.
• CPAP stand for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a machine which easily and smoothly impulses oxygen to the lungs to keep the air sacs wide open.
• If the condition of the newborn is serious, then putting the baby on ventilator can help. This will aid the infant in breathing when the babies find it difficult to breath on their own. A tube through which inhaling and exhaling takes place is put into the trachea.  This whole process is called intubation.

Replacing Surfactant:

• The slippery material surfactant, is prearranged into the lungs of the baby straight into the trachea through a tube which helps in breathing.

Intravenous Catheter Treatment:

• Catheter is a small tube which can be positioned in the one or more than one blood vessels in placenta or umbilical cord. In this way a fetus can get sufficient fluids, food and medicines.

Medicinal Treatment:

• Antibiotics are given to the baby if the infection is diagnosed. Soothing and relaxing medicines can help in relieving pain during the whole surfactant treatment.

Treatment may help in recovering baby but sometimes RDS can get worse. If the baby is breathing properly and is not facing any difficulty in breathing, then the baby is getting better.

Apnea:

It can be a normal way of baby’s development. Healthy babies may also have little central apnea. 

Causes:

These are some of the causes of apnea.

• It can be caused by infections of Central Nervous System (CNS).
• Birth asphyxia or knowns as head trauma.
• Hereditary issues of metabolism

Oliguria:

It is basically caused because of the less urine output of infants. Normally even a healthy newborn does not urinate for the first 24 hours but not urinating for more than 24 hours can be dangerous and you may need to call your health provider immediately.

Causes:

• Dehydration is the common cause of oliguria.
• Urinary tract blockage or obstruction can also cause oliguria. It occurs when urine cannot leave kidneys.
• It can be caused due to infections and trauma.
• Medications can also affect urination which may lead to oliguria.

Hiccupping, yawning, frowning and sneezing can also be the signs of distress or stress in infants. These are the most common and usual signs of distress in infants. if you still find confusion in these, call on your doctor or care provider immediately for more information regarding any of your issues.