Newborn baby's face turns purple

Newborns are a very vulnerable group and need constant attention from their parents. Because the newborn has just been brought up, he is unfamiliar with everything and lacks a sense of security, so it is easy for some abnormal situations to occur. Many newborns have a purple face, which can make parents very worried. So, what is going on if a newborn baby’s face turns purple?

I believe everyone knows that children’s skin sometimes has a blue color. Neonatal cyanosis, also known as neonatal cyanosis, is the manifestation of increased concentration of reduced hemoglobin in the blood on the skin and mucous membranes. So what is the disease of neonatal cyanosis? Next, let us take a look at what the disease of neonatal cyanosis is.

What is cyanosis of the newborn's skin?

1. Congenital heart disease

In addition to cyanosis, there are signs of heart disease, and cyanosis usually appears shortly after birth. The cyanosis is persistent and cannot be relieved by oxygen.

2. Choanal atresia

Newborns experience breathing difficulties and cyanosis at birth or soon after birth. Its characteristic is that the cyanosis disappears when the baby opens the mouth to cry, but reappears when the baby closes the mouth or sucks. If you press down the root of the tongue with a tongue depressor, the cyanosis and breathing difficulties will be relieved immediately. This disease is a neonatal emergency. If both posterior nasal sacs are closed and the newborn cannot open his mouth to breathe, it may cause suffocation and death.

3. Cleft palate deformity

At birth, the child had a small mandible, cleft palate, posteriorly displaced tongue, difficulty breathing, and paroxysmal cyanosis. The cyanosis is more obvious when lying on your back. If you move your tongue forward, the cyanosis will immediately decrease.

4. Congenital esophageal atresia (with tracheal fistula)

Cyanosis occurs during breastfeeding, accompanied by choking and coughing (caused by milk entering the respiratory tract). No cyanosis occurs when not breastfeeding, but drooling often occurs at the corners of the mouth.

5. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Newborns have persistent or paroxysmal cyanosis and difficulty breathing right after birth, which worsens during feeding. Mostly occurs on the left side. Percussion on the hernia side produces a tympanic sound, and bowel sounds may be heard on auscultation. It is mainly caused by the entry of abdominal organs into the chest cavity, resulting in compression or displacement of the heart, large blood vessels and lungs. X-rays can aid in diagnosis.

6. Placental vascular malformations

Seen in twin fetuses, they have cyanosis and irritability right after birth. It is caused by abnormal placental blood vessels, which receive blood from another fetus, resulting in excessive red blood cells and hemoglobin. The other fetus had obvious anemia, which can help with the diagnosis.

7. Inborn errors of metabolism

The most common case is hereditary methemoglobinemia, which causes cyanosis after birth. Treatment with methylene blue or vitamin C is effective and can be used for identification.

8. Neonatal asphyxia

At birth, the baby was cyanotic, suffocated, and in a severe state of shock. His face and body were pale, and his lips were cyanotic. There are many causes of hypoxia, such as prolonged labor, placental abruption, and use of anesthetics by the mother.