About Blue Baby Syndrome:
- Blue baby syndrome, also called cyanosis, is a condition in babies in which their skin appears blue or purple tinged.
- What causes blue baby syndrome?
- The baby takes on a bluish hue because of poorly oxygenated blood.
- Normally, blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs, where it receives oxygen.
- The blood is circulated back through the heart and then throughout the body.
- When there’s a problem with the heart, lungs, or blood, blood may not be oxygenated properly.
- This causes the skin to take on a blue color.
- The lack of oxygenation can occur for several reasons.
- It can occur due to several congenital (meaning present at birth) heart defects or environmental or genetic factors.
- Acquired methemoglobinemia is more common than the congenital form. It can be caused by exposure to a variety of substances and by some health conditions.
- The most common cause of blue baby syndrome is water contaminated with nitrates.
- Symptoms:
-
- The most common symptom of blue baby syndrome is a blue discoloration of the skin around the mouth, hands, and feet.
- Other potential symptoms of blue baby syndrome include:
- difficulty breathing
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- increased salivation
- loss of consciousness
- seizures
- In severe cases, blue baby syndrome can even cause death.
- Treatment:
- Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the baby to turn blue.
- If congenital heart disease is causing the discoloration, surgery may be required to correct the abnormalities.
- Children with a more severe form of the condition may need a medication called methylene blue, which a doctor will give as an injection.
