Babies are most vulnerable just after birth. They may be born with certain congenital conditions or may contract infections easily. If you are a new parent, you should be aware of the common health problems that babies encounter and how to tackle them so that you can take care of your baby in the best way possible.
Newborn babies do not get contracted by any sickness if babies are breastfed and people around the baby maintain the cleanliness hygiene regularly. But in India 3 out of 100 babies fall sick.
Let’s understand what the common illnesses suffered by new-born babies
Preterm Birth/ Low Weight Rate
One of the common ailments can be caused by early delivery of the baby, which is also termed premature. Also, the body weight of the newborn baby is quite low, meaning a low birth rate. In India, around 40% of newborn babies weighing less than 2.5, especially babies weighing 2 or 1.5, have an ailment regarding premature or low birth weight. The temperature maintenance mechanism of these babies has some problems. These babies have problems while breastfeeding; they also tend to have jaundice, and these babies need to be taken into the NICU for extra care. Almost 15% of babies in India are premature babies, and they require NICU care.
Infections
Babies have very low immunity power and they are more prone to infections. Our hands and clothes cause infections. Therefore, it’s important that people surrounding the baby should maintain cleanliness, wash and scrub their hands before encountering the baby.
There are different types of infections, such as pneumonia, blood infections, and brain infections. If these infections are contracted by the babies, then they must be admitted to the NICU. And it’s a very common illness.
Jaundice
The most common illness among the babies around the world is jaundice. Jaundice in babies is caused due to liver immaturity, which is called physiological jaundice.
Hardly 5-6% of cases have serious jaundice where the babies undergo phototherapy. Or it gets cured in 3-4 days. But if the mother’s blood group has a -ve or o+ blood group, then even if the baby has a +ve blood group or A and B blood group at that time, the baby’s red blood cells break down faster. And because of this breakdown, the jaundice is more severe.
In short, babies born to mothers having a -ve blood group and an O+ blood group need to be taken care of.
Earlier, blood transfusion was the way to save these babies, but now, Because of the better ICU treatments and phototherapy, these babies are cured within 3-5 days.
Difficulty In Breathing
Surfactant level in the lungs decreases, which leads to breathing problems, and because of that, these babies must be kept on a ventilator. In medical terms, this condition is called RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
Birth Defects
3-5% of babies are born with birth defects, which is called a congenital disorder. Around about 40-50% of these diseases are detected in the earlier stage of pregnancy at the time of sonography. All diseases are not detected on sonography. 3-5% of babies suffer from congenital anomalies, wherein the majority of babies have heart and brain ailments. These kids need to be admitted to NIC.
Most often, health problems and diseases in newborns resolve on their own with time as babies get stronger and learn to cope. But parents should be very careful. Take your baby for regular check-ups to the paediatrician to maintain hygiene. If your baby has any discomfort, please consult your doctor.
FAQs
What are the most common diseases in newborns? Conditions include jaundice, colic, respiratory distress, and infections.
How can neonatal jaundice be treated? Phototherapy is commonly used to reduce bilirubin levels in the baby’s blood.
What are the signs of illness in a newborn? Symptoms include fever, difficulty feeding, excessive crying, and lethargy.
How can infections in newborns be prevented? Good hygiene, breastfeeding, and timely vaccinations are key preventive measures.
When should a newborn see a doctor? If the baby has a high fever, difficulty breathing, or shows signs of dehydration, immediate medical attention is needed.
