Breathing problems are one of the common issues experienced by newborns, and they can immediately arise once after birth and last for hours. Also, in certain cases, newborn respiratory distress can be complex and last for long periods. Numerous breathing issues may affect newborns, and this blog will walk through the causes of newborn respiratory distress.
Understanding breathing issues in infants:
The lungs are the last organ that babies will develop in the womb. Notably, a few important organs of the body will not be developed until the end of pregnancy.
Newborn babies’ breathing will be completely different from adults, this is because infants’ respiratory systems and lungs are still developing. It’s quite normal for newborns to face periodic breathing problems when they breathe after a long pause. Only when they are prolonged or severe problems need medical intervention, then you can consider visiting the best NICU hospitals in Coimbatore.
What are the symptoms of newborn respiratory distress?
After the birth, the symptoms will be visible, further, let’s see some of the symptoms.
– Coughing sound or hoarse cry:
While breathing, a hoarse coughing sound indicates an infection in the bronchial tubes or windpipe, which is a significant sign of newborn respiratory distress. Due to the mucus formation in the nose and windpipe, this blockage of the larynx will be caused.
– Asthmatic wheezing:
If an infant experiences irregular breathing with wheezing during labor, it will also cause asthma in babies, and they will make squeaking sounds while breathing out, which will worsen the newborn respiratory distress.
– Shallow breathing with retractions:
Shallow breathing with retractions is nothing but caving in of the chest while breathing, which might be a sign of newborn respiratory distress. In such cases, you are advised to get proper antibiotics and medical treatment.
– Whistling sound while breathing:
Even rapid breathing in babies can be a symptom of pneumonia and can lead to newborn respiratory distress. Typically, pneumonia is caused by bacterial infection. It leads to rapid or timed breathing, slight coughs, and crackling sounds.
– Skin turns blue:
When you notice discoloration or blue-colored skin around the nose and mouth in babies, then it might indicate that they are not getting enough oxygen in those areas and might experience newborn respiratory distress.
– Flared nostrils:
If the baby’s nostrils get flared when inhaling oxygen, it indicates that the infant is struggling to breathe in. It may be a sign of newborn respiratory distress or even more severe conditions, so it is important to consult a doctor.
What are the causes of newborn respiratory distress?
Without further delay, we can get to know the actual causes of trouble breathing in newborn babies. Simply, if even after birth infants’ lungs are not completely developed, often they will experience breathing problems. Further, prematurity is the primary cause of newborn respiratory distress, also there are numerous other causes, let’s see them all.
– Respiratory problems:
Usually, premature babies are more prone to newborn respiratory distress at birth. Respiratory issues include difficulty in breathing, persistent lung disease, or infections in the respiratory organs.
– Transient tachypnea:
Transient tachypnea is a condition in which infants’ breathing will be so fast for a certain time immediately after birth. Further, it creates retractions in the chest while breathing and leads to newborn respiratory distress.
– Asphyxia:
In asphyxia, the body’s oxygen will be deprived. This takes place only when infants have poor breathing during the delivery time, or suddenly after birth, which leads to insufficient oxygen supply in the blood and newborn respiratory distress. Simply, if infants are deprived of oxygen, breathing will be rapid and if the same condition persists, babies heart rate may fall too.
– Pneumonia:
Pneumonia is a condition that can be caused by the influence of viruses, bacteria, or fungi in the lungs. It will reach the lungs, and begin to inflame the airways. Even the type of delivery can also be the cause of pneumonia, further the health condition of the mother during labor, and even more events at the time of delivery will cause newborn respiratory distress.
– Congenital lung infection:
Congenital lung infection is not widely observed in babies. Also, few babies have an infection in the lungs during birth, which can result in breathing difficulties.
How to treat breathing problems?
If there are retractions serious noises, or breathlessness during sleep, your baby needs immediate medical treatment. Further, the signs and tests help doctors diagnose the issues and prescribe antibiotics and medical treatment. Even, in severe cases, X-rays are recommended to precisely diagnose serious lung ailments. But with proper medical treatment, and medications, newborn respiratory distress can be treated well.
Tips for parents:
Always, parents should observe the breathing patterns of their babies so that whenever there is abnormal breathing, they can easily find the difference and easily overcome newborn respiratory distress. Also, parents are recommended to feel the breath of the baby often to notice how many breaths they take per minute.
Simply, breathing issues in infants are common, but they are mostly treatable. It may or may not be a sign of serious illness but proper supervision of parents and medical treatment with a pulmonary hypertension doctor in Coimbatore is crucial.
Bottom line:
In conclusion, we can say that parents need to understand the causes of newborn respiratory distress for timely intervention and effective management. By recognizing the symptoms and getting timely medical care, parents can assist their newborns in receiving the necessary support to thrive. Just understand that your prompt action can make a huge difference in your child’s health.