As parents, we must be alert to the slightest changes that occur in the baby’s physical appearance. One thing to watch out for in babies is cyanosis or what is also often called blue baby disease .
Cyanosis is a condition in which the baby’s skin, especially in certain areas, turns blue or has a bluish tinge. This bluish color is caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. Not infrequently, cyanosis is also a symptom of a more serious illness, such as lung disease.
If ParentsThinking that your baby may also have cyanosis, should you worry? What causes it and how to treat it? Can blue baby disease be prevented?
What is Cyanosis in Babies?Fei Hong has a 6-month-old baby who is now starting to eat solid foods. The baby boy seems to like beets, spinach, and broccoli, so Fei Hong includes these vegetables in his daily solid food menu.
One day, Fei Hong noticed a blue tinge to her baby’s skin. Worried, she took her baby to the pediatrician. The doctor diagnosed cyanosis in babies, also known as blue baby disease .
Some babies are born with blue baby disease, while others may develop it later. The symptoms of this disease are very clearly indicated by a blue or purplish tinge to the baby’s skin known as cyanosis in babies.
Blue or purple color is more visible on thin skin areas such as the lips and ears.
Causes of Cyanosis in BabiesThis disease is indeed not common. The causes are:
genetic factors Environmental conditionsThe blue color is usually caused by a lack of oxygenated blood. In a healthy body system, the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where oxygen is added to it.
This oxygenated blood is then sent back to the heart, and passes through all parts of the body.
However, if there is a problem with the blood, heart, or lungs, the oxygenation process does not occur properly. This is what causes the skin to turn blue or purple.
Reasons For Lack Of Oxygen In The Blood 1. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)This is a rare congenital heart defect, but it is the leading cause of baby blue disease . TOF is not limited to one type of heart defect.
Rather, it is a combination of several problems that slow or reduce blood flow to the lungs, causing oxygen-poor blood to circulate.
2. MethemoglobinemiaThis occurs due to nitrate poisoning and is a common condition in babies aged around 6 months and under.
Some examples of how methemoglobinemia occurs are babies being given formula with water contaminated with nitrites. Or babies being given too many foods high in nitrates such as beets or spinach.
So what really happened?
The baby’s digestive system is still immature and sensitive. Thus, it is likely to convert nitrate overdose into nitrite.
Nitrite entering the body produces something known as methemoglobin.
Methemoglobin is rich in oxygen. However, this oxygen is not released into the baby’s blood. This is what causes the characteristic bluish hue that indicates cyanosis in babies.
3. Congenital Heart DiseaseNowParentsIt has been known that when the heart is not functioning properly, blue baby disease can occur. So, if a baby is born with any heart condition, he or she may suffer from cyanosis in infants.
For example, a baby withDown syndromeoften also experience heart problems. Or if a pregnant mother has health problems such as type 2 diabetes that are difficult to control, then the baby’s heart can also be affected.
TypeCyanosis can be divided into Central Cyanosis, Peripheral Cyanosis, Differential Cyanosis or Cyanosis, between newborns and infants.
Central CyanosisCentral Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration seen on the tongue and lips. It is caused by lower oxygen levels in the Central arterial blood and is caused by heart or respiratory disorders.
Central Cyanosis can also occur when abnormal pigments in the blood due to drug intake or other reasons, give an abnormal bluish color to the skin.
Those who suffer from Central Cyanosis will usually experience Peripheral Cyanosis, which is a bluish or purple discoloration of the fingers and toes.
Central Cyanosis that occurs in newborns, infants, and young children, requires emergency care and immediate medical assessment.
Peripheral CyanosisIt is a blue or purple discoloration of the skin on the fingers and toes, and is most visible at the base of the nails, especially when the temperature is very cold.
Differential CyanosisDifferential or mixed cyanosis is diagnosed when bluish discoloration is present in certain parts of the body and not in others. For example, only in the lower legs, only in the upper legs, or only in the upper left and both lower legs.
Cyanosis in Newborns (Acrocyanosis)Cyanosis in newborns or infants generally occurs in the area around the baby’s mouth.
Sometimes the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, head, or chest also turn blue. This is a sign that the cyanotic baby is not getting enough oxygen. This cyanosis is also called Transient Cyanosis and will disappear a few minutes after birth.
Symptoms of Cyanosis in BabiesThe most obvious symptom as mentioned earlier is the baby’s skin being blue or purple. In addition, there are several other symptoms to watch out for:
Fussy or irritable Sluggish Problems while eating Inability to gain weight Developmental problems Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath Fingers and toes are round and attached When to Call a Doctor?Parents can usually easily recognize cyanosis, but sometimes it goes unnoticed, especially in children with darker skin.
The best way to look for symptoms of cyanosis is to look at the nail beds, lips, and tongue, and compare them to someone with similar skin. Usually a parent or sibling is a good comparison.
If cyanosis is only found in the hands, feet, and area around the lips of a newborn, then it is a normal thing known as acrocyanosis.
However, cyanosis of the lips, tongue, head, or chest is central cyanosis, and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience similar conditions.
Diagnosis of Cyanosis in InfantsIf your doctor suspects your baby has cyanosis, your baby will have a complete physical exam. Some of the tests that will be done are:
Blood test Chest X-ray to check the heart and lungs Electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor heart function and activity Echocardiogram to see the anatomy of the heart Cardiac catheterization to examine the heart arteries Oxygen saturation test to determine the oxygen level in the blood Cyanosis TreatmentTreatment depends on what is causing your baby’s blue baby disease . Surgery is usually needed if the cause is a congenital heart problem.
Medication will be prescribed by a doctor if the cause is methemoglobinemia. Reporting from the page Healthline, a drug called methylene blue is injected through a needle inserted into a vein. This will help oxygenate the blood.
Preventing Cyanosis in BabiesIf your baby has a genetic predisposition to heart or lung problems, it is difficult to prevent blue baby disease . However, diseases caused by environmental factors can be avoided.
Do not use tap water or well water to prepare food and infant formula. Even after boiling, nitrates in tap water or well water will not be removed. Do not overdo it with foods rich in nitrates (including broccoli, beets, carrots, and spinach). Limit excessive vegetable intake, especially if your baby is under seven months old. Practice a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy . Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs will help prevent congenital heart and lung problems in your baby. If you have diabetes, make sure you can control it.With early intervention, cyanosis in infants can be treated appropriately. Don’t forget to always pay attention to your little one, okay?Parents.
Cyanosis in Infants and Children
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/c/cyanosis
Blue discoloration of the skin
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003215.htm
Cyanosis
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/symptoms-of-lung-disorders/cyanosis
Cyanosis Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment
https://www.narayanahealth.org/cyanosis
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia