Most parents are familiar with the danger signs in a newborn baby. Still, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are key danger signs that every parent should be aware of.
You should check for the following signs during each postnatal care contacts. And if any of them is present, you may want to refer your newborn back to the evaluation.
Stopped feeding well
If your newborn has stopped feeding, it might be a momentary thing. But it could also be a sign of something more serious.
If your newborn has stopped feeding well, you should immediately take them to the doctor. It could be a sign that they’re not getting enough food or water. It can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and even death if left untreated for too long.
Baby refusing to nurse | Image source: iStock
History of convulsions
Convulsion is a dangerous sign in newborns of something serious, and it’s important to know what to look for.
A convulsion is a seizure that can happen in newborns. A sudden surge of electrical energy in the brain causes muscles in the body to contract and relax rapidly. Convulsions are more common in premature babies. Also to those exposed to drugs or alcohol before birth.
Its possible causes are fever, infection, birth trauma, or lack of oxygen to the brain.
In newborns, convulsions are effects of low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. The symptoms are like those of adults: loss of consciousness and muscle spasms. But, in some cases, there may be no other symptoms besides the convulsion itself.
Babies who have convulsions may:
- Have unusual facial movements, such as lip-smacking or eye blinking
- Have muscle stiffness or shaking
- Have trouble breathing (breathing may stop for up to 10 seconds)
Fast breathing (breathing rate >60 per minute)
While there are many things to worry about when you first bring your newborn home, one of the most common concerns is that they may not breathe well.
Newborns tend to breathe fast, and several different factors can cause this. But, if you notice any of these signs in your newborn, it’s essential to call your doctor right away:
- They’re having trouble feeding or breastfeeding
- They are wheezing or making other unusual sounds when they breathe
- Their skin is pale or bluish
- Their lips are blue or purple
Severe chest in-drawing
One of the most common danger signs in a newborn is chest in-drawing.
Chest in-drawing happens when your baby’s lungs don’t develop well. And so, they cannot inflate on their own. It can happen because of many issues, but it’s important to know what it looks like so you can get help sooner rather than later.
The first thing you should look out for is the color of your child’s skin—it should be pink, not white or blue. If their skin is pale or grey, they may suffer from an infection or other illness.
You should also check for chest in-drawing by watching your baby sleep or breathe. If his chest sinks into his stomach as he inhales, that’s also a sign that something isn’t right with his breathing pattern.
Newborn checked by pedia
No spontaneous movement
There are a lot of things you can expect when you’re expecting. But one thing you should never expect is for your baby to be still. Here are some things to look out for:
- They don’t move when you rub their feet or hands.
- They sleep most of the time and wake up crying for food or milk.
- If their breathing seems slow, noisy, or irregular.
Newborns should be moving all the time. They need it to regulate their body temperature and heart rate, and it helps them learn how to move their limbs. So if your newborn isn’t making any movements on its own, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
There are plenty of reasons why your newborn might not be moving much, including:
- Infection
- Birth trauma
- Prematurity (if they were born early)
- Seizures
Fever (temperature >37.5 °C)
One of the danger signs in a newborn baby is fever. It is a body temperature greater than 37.5°C. The temperature usually rises 24 hours after birth and peaks between 1 and 3 days of life. High temperature may be due to infection, metabolic disorders, or other serious illnesses.
The most common cause of newborn fever is sepsis (blood infection). In this case, the baby will have a high fever (usually >38°C) that lasts more than a day. Other possible causes include congenital heart disease, pneumonia, or meningitis (brain infection).
Here are some signs that could state your baby has an illness:
- The baby has a fever (temperature >37.5 °C)
- There is no reason for the baby’s temperature to be high (for example, the room is not hot)
- Your baby’s skin feels warm and dry or hot and sweaty
- Your baby seems uncomfortable or irritable
If your newborn has been diagnosed with these conditions, they may need antibiotics or extra treatment depending on the severity of their condition.
Low body temperature (temperature <35.5 °C)
Newborns are small, fragile, and beginning to explore the world. A newborn’s body temperature should be at least 35.5 °C (96.9 °F). When a baby’s temperature drops below that, it can mean that there are problems with the baby’s health or something is wrong with their environment.
If your newborn’s body temperature is low, it can signify hypothermia. It’s one of the danger signs in a newborn baby. A possible cause is exposure to cold weather or if left in an unheated room. A lack of heat production can also cause hypothermia. Like in the case of prematurity or if your baby was born before 37 weeks gestation.
There are several reasons why a baby might have a low body temperature:
- Their mother’s body was too cold when they were born
- Their mother had an infection during pregnancy
- The baby was born early
- They have an overheating syndrome
If your baby’s temperature is less than 35 degrees Celsius, call your doctor as soon as possible and follow their instructions until you reach them.
Newborn with jaundice
Jaundice
Jaundice is a common problem but can be one of the danger signs in a newborn baby. Newborn jaundice happens when the newborn’s immature liver isn’t yet able to process bilirubin. It’s a waste product of red blood cells.
Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. It can also include a yellowing of the whites of the eyes (called sclera). The color of the jaundiced newborn’s skin differs. It can range from light yellow to deep orange or brownish-yellow.
Jaundice can be dangerous if left untreated. Here are some warning signs that may show more severe conditions:
- Yellowing on one side of the body but not the other
- Yellowing on one side of the face but not the other
- Sunken eyes or cheeks in an otherwise healthy-looking baby
If your baby has any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately. It’s so they can determine whether your child needs medical attention.
Umbilical redness
Redness around the umbilical stump is a common sign in newborns. And that’s especially if it doesn’t resolve within a few days. The baby’s skin causes redness stretched by the umbilical cord. Which can be uncomfortable and even painful for the baby. This becomes one of the danger signs in newborns.
But, if any redness persists longer than two weeks, let the doctor check it. It could show a problem with the baby’s blood flow or circulation. And many things can cause umbilical redness. One of those is high bilirubin levels or blood incompatibility.
Yet, it can also be caused by something as simple as not drying your baby’s belly. In these cases, get medical attention immediately. So you can find out what’s happening and take any necessary steps to address it.
Your doctor may recommend using an ointment or cream over the area of redness. It’s to help reduce its appearance and soothe the baby’s skin.
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
