Common Physiological Problems in the Newborn

What Are Common Physiological Problems in the Newborn?

Owing to the immature immunity of newborns, the chances of them getting health-related complications are very common. There are many physiological conditions with self-curing symptoms, but some of them can cause life-threatening situations if left untreated in infants. The causes behind this condition can be infection, systemic conditions, prenatal conditions, or postnatal conditions. The very common conditions are cold, cough, or skin-related complications. Moreover, the other physiological complications seen in newborns include the common cold, diaper rash, ear infection, and jaundice. This article explains in detail about these conditions.

1. Common Cold

The common cold is usually the result of viral infection in babies. As their immunity is still developing, the chances of catching an infection are very common in infants.

Symptoms: There are many signs of this condition seen in the newborns, such as:

• Fever.

• Sneezing.

• Runny nose.

• Redness of cheeks and nose.

• Congestion of the nose.

• Difficulty sleeping.

• Constant crying due to discomfort.

• Coughing.

Causes - Common cold in children is an infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. There are more than 200 viruses causing this type of condition in children. Usually, the virus can enter newborns through the nose and mouth. Sometimes, once a child is infected by a certain virus, it can give either short-term or long-term immunity to the children. Moreover, the children can get the infection from either air, direct contact, or contaminated surfaces.

Complications - There is some complication caused by the common cold in children, such as:

• Acute Ear Infection - Also known as otitis media. It is an ear infection caused by bacteria affecting the back of the eardrum in children.

• Wheezing - If a child is already suffering from asthma, the cold can worsen the situation. On the other hand, if a child does not have asthma, the condition can cause short-term asthma in them.

• Acute Sinusitis - A long-term condition that can cause sinus infections.

Prevention - Common cold can be prevented by:

• Since the baby has a very delicate immune system at the time of birth, it should be kept away from sick people. Also, the use of public transport or public gatherings should be avoided.

• A mother or a person who is holding a baby should wash their hands properly for at least 20 seconds.

• The toy or the surface baby is in contact with should be cleaned with disinfectant.

• In a household, good hygiene should be maintained.

2. Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a condition caused by constant and longer wear of wet diapers. Due to this condition, the baby can have skin irritation or rashes.

Causes - The causes behind this condition are

• If the baby is wearing the same diaper for a longer time and if the diaper is wet, the chances of skin irritation are higher.

• An unchanged diaper that contains urine can change the pH level of the skin. The chances of the growth of bacteria or fungi are higher in the area, and this can cause rashes.

• The skin of babies is very sensitive to irritants. Sometimes even the dye from the diapers can cause skin irritation in infants.

Prevention - Following these tips can prevent rashes or skin irritation in children.

• Regularly changing diapers after certain hours.

• Occasionally wipe the baby's bottom with lukewarm water.

• Completely dry the skin before putting on the diaper.

• Apply cream or powder before putting it on the diaper.

3. Ear Infection

It is another most common physiological condition caused by a bacterial or viral infection in children. Chronic ear infection in children lasts for at least six weeks in children. However, most of them usually go away in three days on their own without any medication.

Symptoms:

• Intense to mild ear pain.

• Constant crying

• Repeatedly pulling the affected ear.

• The pain usually increases during feeding or sleeping.

• Runny nose.

• Cough.

• Fever.

• Vomiting.

• Hearing loss.

Causes - Usually, an ear infection is seen affecting the middle ear. It is caused by either bacterial infection or viral infection.

Prevention - The infection can be prevented by

• Proper vaccination for pneumococcal bacteria, as they are the most common cause of ear infections.

• Maintain proper hygiene by regularly washing hands before feeding the newborns.

• Mothers should at least breastfeed their children for six months to one year. Place the baby at an angle while breastfeeding.

4. Jaundice in Newborns

Babies with jaundice have yellow-colored skin and eyes. The condition is caused by higher bilirubin levels in the blood. Usually, the yellow-colored substance, bilirubin, is removed from the blood by the liver. And the jaundice is caused by the non-excreted bilirubin levels in the body.

Symptoms:

• Sleepiness.

• Yellow discoloration of skin and eyeballs.

• Trouble in feeding.

Causes - At the time of birth, every child might have a small amount of jaundice. It is due to many blood cells. As time passes, the blood cells break down into a substance called bilirubin. This type of jaundice usually disappears in four days on its own. The other causes of jaundice in newborns are:

• If the baby is prematurely born, the body is not ready enough to remove bilirubin from the blood.

• If the baby is not breastfed much or if the mother is not able to get the breastmilk to feed, the chances of getting breastfeeding jaundice are higher.

• Also, too much breastfeeding can cause jaundice. However, the condition resolves on its own within 12 weeks.

• A genetic problem such as spherocytosis causes the red blood cells to break down more easily.

• If a baby is born with a different blood type than the mother, the mother’s body can make antibodies and attack the baby’s red blood cells.

Prevention:

• Lots of fluid can increase the level of bilirubin.

• Babies are put under photo therapies such as early morning sunlight or light-therapy blankets with lightly layered cloths. The treatments can convert the form of bilirubin that can pass out easily from the body.

• If the condition is very severe, the doctors may recommend a blood transfusion in newborns.

• Intravenous immunoglobulin can block the antibodies attacks and the need for blood transfusion in infants.

Conclusion

There are many conditions in newly born children that can either resolve on their own or can cause many life-threatening complications. As a result, if a child is born with any physiological condition, they should be kept under observation as per the doctor’s recommendation. Also, the parents should regularly go for follow-up checkups.