How to manage oxygen levels in babies with a heart defect?

Question

Hello doctor,

My twins (two years old) have HMPV, and one has a heart defect. Their oxygen levels are dropping differently. Why is this happening? My baby is turning even more blue when crying, is this an emergency? The nebulizer is causing a heart rate of 195 BPM, is this too high? A fever of 103.1°F, could this be affecting echocardiogram readings, and if so, how? At what point would we need to transfer to the cardiac ICU?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Oxygen levels dropping differently: The baby with the heart defect may have poor oxygenation, leading to more significant drops.
Blue baby worsening with crying: Cyanosis during crying in a baby with a heart defect is an emergency. Keep them calm, administer oxygen, and seek urgent medical help.
Nebulizer causing high heart rate (195 BPM): This is concerning. Stop the nebulizer and seek immediate medical advice if the heart rate remains high.
Fever affecting echocardiogram readings: Fever can increase heart rate, making echocardiogram readings harder to interpret.
When to consider the cardiac ICU: ICU (intensive care unit) care may be needed if oxygen levels remain low, heart rate stays elevated, or there are signs of respiratory distress or shock.

Get immediate medical attention for your babies, especially the one with the heart defect.

I hope this helps address your concerns. Please feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.

Thank you.