What Are the Danger Signs in Newborns? 14 Warning Symptoms

1. Persistent vomiting: Vomiting can have causes, such as gastrointestinal system abnormalities. Make you note the color of your newborn’s vomit, which can indicate the presence of blood or bile.
2. Difficulty breathing and nasal flaring: Breathing problems are common in the first few hours of a baby's life and require appropriate treatment to prevent potential death due to suffocation. Conditions that can cause breathing problems in newborns include:
   1. Asphyxia
   2. Transient tachypnea
   3. Respiratory distress syndrome
   4. Meconium aspiration
   5. Pneumothorax
   6. Pneumonia
   7. Congenital lung deformities
3. Rapid breathing: Rapid breathing (tachypnea) in a newborn occurs when breaths occur at more than 60 breaths per minute. Causes may include pneumonia, sepsis, and metabolic acidosis.
4. Chest retraction: Chest retraction or indrawing of the lower chest and upper abdomen during respiration is a symptom of a respiratory issue, such as pneumonia or metabolic acidosis.
5. Grunting: Grunting is normal for most newborns. However, in some cases, it can indicate underlying health issues, such as breathing problems or acid reflux. Consult your doctor if the grunting is accompanied by other concerning symptoms or if your baby looks ill.
6. High or low temperature: Fever in infants is less common, even when they have an infection. They are more prone to hypothermia (lower body temperature), which could be a symptom of hypoglycemia, sepsis, or shock.
7. Poor feeding: If your newborn feeds poorly or refuses to be fed, this requires prompt medical attention.
8. Convulsions (seizures): Convulsions can be caused by hypoglycemia, meningitis, sepsis, or intracranial hemorrhage. However, symptoms may be subtle and include:
   1. Eyes rolling
   2. Blank gazing
   3. Repeated blinking
   4. Paddling movement of limbs (involuntary)
   5. Sudden bluish discoloration with cessation of respiration
   6. Head dipping
9. Yellow skin discoloration and sclera: Yellowish skin is a sign of excess bilirubin in the body (jaundice). Physiological jaundice, which shows up 2-3 days after birth, is common among newborns. Treatment may include phototherapy, exchange transfusion, fluid resuscitation, and intravenous immunoglobulins. Pathological jaundice shows up within the first 24 hours of birth and requires active management.
10. Lethargy or unconsciousness: If your newborn shows the following signs, seek medical treatment as soon as possible:
    1. Excessive drowsiness
    2. Less activity than normal
    3. Staring blankly
    4. Uninterested in surroundings
    5. Not awake and alert as they should be
    6. Cannot be roused even when touched or shaken
11. Irritability: If your baby is extremely irritable or crying inconsolably, they may need medical attention.
12. Bulging in the anterior fontanel: Fontanels (soft spots on the head) are open portions of the cranium that are only covered by skin and soft tissue. They can be found in both the front and posterior parts of the scalp. If these areas are bulging, it could be a warning sign of meningitis or an intracranial hemorrhage.
13. Skin rashes: Rashes on the skin may be due to allergic reactions, insect bites, or infection.
14. Umbilical discharge: Umbilical discharge may occur due to infection or an umbilical granuloma. It is critical to determine the cause because remedial surgical intervention may be required.

Every year around the globe, 10 million children die before reaching age 5. About 66% of these deaths occur during the neonatal period (first 4 weeks after birth). Nearly 33% of neonatal deaths occur on the first day of birth, 50% within the first 3 days, and 75% within the first week. Causes include:

• Sepsis: 52%
• Asphyxia: 20%
• Preterm: 15%
• Others: 13%

Danger signs in newborns are often overlooked due to ignorance or lack of knowledge. In order to prevent complications or serious consequences, seek medical treatment immediately if your newborn exhibits worrying symptoms.