It is indeed true that life is vastly uncertain, but man is at his most vulnerable during the first few months of life. In other words, post-natal risk is high especially when the baby is prematurely born.
As per the National Child Mortality Database, neonatal death rates were highest (41%) among babies who were 28 days old or younger. This rate follows a diminishing law once the baby is at least 24 weeks old.
Even when a baby is full-term, their immune systems soon after birth are not fully developed. The case becomes more alarming if a preemie is involved. This is why parents must be extra careful with their post-natal care.
In this article, we will discuss the three most common health issues newborns are vulnerable to developing.
Respiratory Distress
In general, newborns take a couple of hours to form a stable breathing pattern. This is a natural process because their lungs are filled with fluid inside the womb. It is the placenta that supplies all the oxygen and nutrients the baby needs.
If you notice your baby experiencing short breaths or labored breathing for the first few hours of their life, it’s perfectly normal. However, the situation should not persist any longer. If the breathing continues to be unusual, it is more likely that the newborn’s nasal passages are blocked.
This may still not be very serious as the situation can be reversed using a bulb syringe or suctioning out the mucus. However, the following symptoms signify that the case is serious and must be notified to the doctor immediately.
- Fast breathing that continues for days after birth
- Flaring of the baby’s nose
- Retractions that make the ribs stick out
- Skin turning blue in color
- Grunting while breathing
There are many causes for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in a newborn, including infection, hypothermia, a diabetic mother, or stress. Do not ignore the symptoms mentioned above as respiratory distress often proves to be fatal if not treated on time.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
This condition is an issue with a newborn’s gastrointestinal tract. When the tissue in a baby’s small or large intestines becomes inflamed, it gradually dies causing a perforation. Harmful bacteria gain easy access to the bloodstream through this hole.
As of 2023, the rate of fatality among babies with NEC was as high as 50%. It is often a health threat among premature babies or those born with a low birth weight. Recently, allegations have been placed on commercial baby formula manufacturers for causing NEC.
Newborns fed with formulas like Similac and Enfamil developed NEC due to a combination of formula makeup and the infant’s immature digestive system. According to TorHoerman Law, parents of injured newborns have filed a legal suit against baby formula manufacturers.
The NEC lawsuit update as of May 2024 is that around 496 cases have been filed. The first trial date has not been set yet but is expected to begin sometime in 2024 itself. Parents of newborns are advised to feed them milk from reliable human milk banks in case breastfeeding is not possible for valid reasons.
Jaundice
According to MedlinePlus, a lot of newborn babies have some yellowing of skin or jaundice-like symptoms. This is nothing to worry about. The matter only becomes concerning when the situation remains the same even after hours or days of birth.
Jaundice among newborns is caused due to a high level of bilirubin in the blood. It is a compound that the body manufactures to replace old red blood cells. Bilirubin is broken down by the liver so that it may be removed in the form of stool.
In the womb, the baby’s placenta removes bilirubin from the body. Once the baby is born, this role must shift to the liver, which takes time. This is why many newborns experience what is known as physiological jaundice.
In certain cases, the jaundice may be severe and demand additional medical attention. This happens due to –
- Certain medication
- Infections present at the time of birth
- Abnormally high levels of red blood cells
- Bleeding underneath the scalp
- Sickle cell anemia or unusually shaped blood cells
- Genetic or inherited disorders
Did you know that 114,000 newborn babies on average die every year due to severe jaundice? Over 400,000 of them are full-term babies. Parents and healthcare teams must keep a close watch on newborns to catch the earliest signs of disease severity.
Whether a newborn is in the NICU, baby ward, or back home, parents and caretakers need to be vigilant at all times. Life’s thread is the most fragile during the early weeks, days, and months.
Healthcare teams must educate new parents on the proper ways to hold, nurse, bathe, and care for the child. Parents must follow all safety tips to ensure their baby lives long and grows strong.
