8 normal newborn conditions similar to pathology
The born baby must adapt to the new living conditions within a short time. Some organs and systems of his body are not yet ready for full-fledged work, therefore, a newborn is going through a number of so-called transient (transitional) states, the external manifestations of which can cause anxiety. It is important to distinguish such conditions from pathologies in which the child needs immediate medical attention.
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Physiological weight loss
During the birth process, the baby consumes energy. In addition, a stressful situation causes increased excretion of fluid from the body. This happens against the background of a limited supply of water and nutrients, since in the first days of life the child does not eat too actively, and, as a rule, a young mother has little milk during this period. The newborn uses reserves, which leads to a decrease in subcutaneous fat and weight loss. It is considered normal to reduce body weight by 6-7% within 10 days for a full-term infant and 14 days for a premature infant. Subsequently, the losses are quickly replenished.
When a newborn does not experience physiological weight loss, this indicates water retention, usually associated with a dysfunction of the urinary system.
Transient fever
The skin of a newborn is riddled with blood vessels, but the sweat glands are not working intensively enough. The thermoregulatory center located in the brain also does not yet know how to cope with external heat influences. Therefore, the child can easily overcool or overheat. Pediatricians believe that the air temperature in the room where the baby is located should not exceed 22 ° C (24 ° C - for a premature baby), but in fact the microclimate is usually selected individually.
Many newborns experience the so-called transient fever, which is manifested by a slight increase in body temperature (up to 37 ° C). Normally, such symptoms quickly go away on their own, without affecting the child's condition.
Sexual crisis
Processes caused by the mother's sex hormones take place in the newborn's body. Often observed:
- engorgement and enlargement of the mammary glands, in some cases accompanied by the release of colostrum from the nipples. This is the case with girls and boys. These manifestations do not affect the condition of the child - unlike mastitis in newborns, in which the body temperature rises sharply;
- spotting from the vagina. Sometimes they are observed in girls 2-3 days of life, as a rule, they end within 3-5 days;
- transient desquamative vulvovaginitis - profuse mucus discharge from the genital tract in girls. Doesn't bother the baby and stops after 3-4 weeks.
Symptoms of a genital crisis do not require medical intervention and disappear without a trace.
Transient dyspepsia
The baby's digestive system needs to adapt to the new way of eating. In the first hours and days after birth, his intestines are colonized by microflora, which is transmitted from the mother. Pathogenic forms enter the body, along with beneficial bacteria and fungi; different groups of microorganisms begin to compete with each other.
In the first week of life in a healthy baby, the stool usually changes: a pasty dark green (meconium) turns into a normal one, which has a brownish color and a semi-liquid consistency. If the baby is premature or weakened, he may develop dyspepsia caused by pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, treatment is required.
Uric acid infarction
Changes in the metabolism of the newborn lead to a decrease in the amount of urine separated and an increase in the concentration of salts in it. In a transitional state, the baby's urine can change color, become cloudy. At the same time, spots of dark yellow or brick color appear on the baby's diapers.
Normally, the excretory system quickly adjusts, all symptoms disappear. If they persist for more than 12-18 hours, this is a sign of fluid deficiency in the baby's body. Usually, the problem can be solved by giving the child water, but going to the doctor in such a situation will not be superfluous.
Transient immunodeficiency
The child is born sterile. Immediately after birth, the mucous membranes of his respiratory tract, genitals and gastrointestinal tract are colonized by microflora. The immature defense system is subjected to enormous stress. This condition is called transient immunodeficiency.
During this period, the risk of infection of the baby by people in contact with him is high. The umbilical wound requires special attention, since it is the entrance gate of the infection. If the wound does not heal well, it gets wet, the skin around it turns red, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Transient skin conditions
The skin of a newborn is not yet fully prepared for the effects of environmental factors. In the process of adaptation of the integument, the following transitional states can occur:
- simple erythema. Skin addiction to contact with air is manifested by redness, which is observed in the first 6-12 hours of a baby's life and disappears within about a week;
- peeling. As a rule, it is observed in post-term babies (more than 42 weeks of gestation) and goes away on its own after 1-2 weeks. Sometimes it is recommended to lubricate the skin folds with almond oil to avoid cracking;
- toxic erythema - characteristic spots with a diameter of about 1 cm with a yellowish compaction in the center are located on the child's chest, around the joints of the arms and legs. Appear on the first day of life, disappear after 3-4 days;
- milia - whitish nodules that appear on the forehead and wings of the infant's nose as a result of temporary blockage of the sebaceous gland ducts. They pass by themselves during the first 2 weeks of life;
- "Mongolian spots" - patches of skin on the back, buttocks and shoulders of a bluish or pale gray hue, observed in almost all children of the Negroid or Mongoloid race. They are often found in newborns with dark skin and dark hair;
- "Stork spots" - areas of skin on the back of the head, eyelids or forehead are orange-pink in color. They appear in the first days of life, gradually brighten and become invisible within 1-1.5 years.
All described skin conditions are normal and do not require medical intervention.
Physiological jaundice
Some newborns develop what is called physiological jaundice. It occurs due to the increased content of bilirubin in the blood (a breakdown product of hemoglobin). The fact is that the hemoglobin of a baby is not like the hemoglobin of an adult. The replacement of one type of red pigment with another is accompanied by active destruction of erythrocytes and increased work of the liver, which should remove the bilirubin that is formed from the body.
Physiological jaundice is manifested by staining the mucous membranes, skin and whites of the eyes (sclera) of the child in a yellowish color. Normally, this condition is characterized by the following parameters:
- yellowish coloration occurs on the 2nd-3rd day of life and reaches its maximum intensity on the 4th-5th day;
- in a full-term newborn, jaundice disappears after 1.5 weeks, and in a premature newborn it can last up to 3 weeks;
- staining starts from the face and spreads to the body;
- the general condition is not cause for concern.
This happens if the baby's liver is working properly. The following signs may indicate the presence of violations:
- the appearance of jaundice in the first hours after birth;
- spread of staining to the legs, feet and hands;
- persistence of yellowness for more than 2 weeks;
- discolored stools;
- restlessness of the baby during feeding or refusal to eat;
- the appearance of edema;
- lethargy, weakness, too long sleep;
- shrill crying;
- hoarseness of voice;
- trembling, feverish condition.
A high concentration of bilirubin in the blood can negatively affect the nervous system, therefore, if there are warning signs of a child, it is necessary to show a doctor.
A feature of the functioning of the body of a newborn is the rapid development of any disease process. It is important to understand that a vain call from a doctor, caused by the inability of adults to distinguish the norm from the pathology, is still preferable to delay, which can be dangerous.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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