9 dangerous symptoms in babies
Your baby may seem so healthy now, and in some few hours, things may begin to change. What are the reasons why you need to visit the doctor as quick as possible? Then the following reasons will change your view.
1. fever
The diseases that have the fever as a symptom are several and only the doctor can say with certainty what it is. Low fever can be viral or pulmonary problems. High fever already makes one suspect of bacterial infection, but there are other causes like fungi, parasites, traumatisms, tumors, cancer and hemorrhages. Low fever should not be combated if the child is not prone to seizures as it is a sign that the body is fighting the disease and getting rid of the infectious agent.
If the temperature is between 37.3 and 37.8, it is called low-grade. Fight the fever when it rises above 39 °. In any case, fever is a sign of a health problem and the baby should be taken to the doctor as soon as possible.
2. Cyanosis
It can be central, peripheral or mixed. The child appears purplish or bluish on the skin and mucous membranes, especially around the lips and extremities due to lack of oxygen in the blood. In newborns it may just be cold. If, after heating, the problem persists, seek medical advice immediately, this is an emergency and life-threatening. It is usually caused by several reasons that only the doctor can detect for sure.
3. Neck stiffness and jet vomit
The first suspicion in this case is Meningitis. It begins similar to the flu evolving into a high fever, malaise, vomiting, severe pain in the head and neck, difficulty in touching the chin in the chest and presence (or not) of red patches on the body (septicemia – According to time without treatment and can be fatal.
4. Excessive salivation
In most cases it is nothing abnormal. Children drool a lot in the first few months of life. What should be closely watched is if your child starts drooling too much at one point and shakes and has difficulty breathing – he may be with his upper airways clogged and feeling suffocated. It can also be pain when swallowing throat infection. If in addition to drooling your baby present stiffness, lost look and purplish mouth, he may be having a seizure. Anyway, if salivation is not common to your baby, take it to the doctor.
6. Moleira fundo
It means primarily that the baby is dehydrated. See if there is a drop in urine volume and color of urine (too yellow, dark), dry crying, dry mouth and noise when moving the tongue. Dehydration is a dangerous symptom as it can lead to death. Generally the cause is diarrhea, frequent vomiting, heat and high fever. Hydrate your child with breast milk, water and homemade whey while seeking medical help. Do not wait.
7. Body or facial swelling
It can be kidney, heart, allergy, leukemia, etc. Your baby may have a swollen foot from being bitten by an insect, but it can be a kidney problem. Or he may have swelling under his eyes because he has cried too much or may be a liver problem. Seek the doctor, it is better to err by excess of zeal than to repent.
8. Skin and yellow eyes
The liver of a newborn does not always work properly and it can happen that they can not metabolize bilirubin, causing jaundice that leaves the skin or eyes yellow. Or because of blood incompatibility between the mother and the baby.
Many times jaundice is not serious and disappears with sunbathing. But, this severity is evaluated by blood tests. Every baby with jaundice should be evaluated. Jaundice is something serious and can have serious sequelae like brain damage.
9. Snoring
It is never normal for a baby to snore. It may be from an influenza or cold that has accumulated secretions in the airways, or something more serious like adenoids, rhinitis or sleep apnea. Whatever the reason, snoring should be investigated. If it is apnea or adenoids, the effort in breathing can tire the baby, make it difficult to breastfeed and in the long run cause facial deformity, obesity and hypertension.
10. Always wet diapers and dry mouth
Although very rare, diabetes can arise in the first few months of life and be difficult to detect. According to endocrinologist and pediatrician Luis Eduardo Calliari, assistant professor of the unit of Endocrinology of the Department of Pediatrics of Santa Casa de São Paulo, detecting diabetes in infants is a detective job.
The doctor warns of symptoms that are the same as adults: Irritability, intense thirst, excess urine, weight loss or gain, hypo-activity and malaise.
