Rebornne Baby American Baby

Newborns
Learn how to take care of your newborn baby.

Common Newborn Ailments
Which conditions need medical attention and which don't?

Introduction

Congratulations! You've made it home with your newborn. Most likely your baby is healthy and doing well. However, there are several common conditions that can develop in the first few weeks after birth. Most, like newborn acne, are nothing to worry about and go away by themselves. Some, though, may require medical attention.

Your baby will probably outgrow most of these newborn conditions with little or no medical intervention. Read the following pages to learn the ABCs of these newborn ailments.

Jaundice

What it is: The condition occurs because newborns have a surplus of red blood cells and their "new" liver can't process all of the bilirubin, a by-product of the breakdown of these cells. The extra bilirubin in baby's body gives his skin a yellow cast. In most cases jaundice is temporary and harmless, but a severe case, if left untreated, can lead to nervous-system damage. About a third of all normal, healthy babies develop newborn jaundice, typically between the second and fifth day after birth.

What to watch out for: The telltale sign of jaundice is a yellowish tinge to baby's skin. A simple test is to gently press on your baby's nose, forehead, or thigh. If the skin underneath your finger appears yellow (regardless of your baby's race), your infant may be jaundiced. But if you still aren't sure, check with your pediatrician, who may take a sample of your baby's blood (usually a heel prick) to test his bilirubin level. If it's less than 20 milligrams per deciliter, she may take a "wait and see" approach -- in most cases a newborn's own body systems kick in and excrete the excess bilirubin.

Treatment: Since bilirubin is passed through bowel movements, your doctor may also encourage you to breastfeed more frequently, as breast milk is a natural laxative. If you're not nursing, doctors recommend more frequent feedings of formula. (Don't give baby water -- it won't lead to more frequent stool.)

If baby's bilirubin count is above 20 milligrams per deciliter, your pediatrician may recommend phototherapy, usually done at a hospital over several days. With his eyes covered, baby is placed under special lights that break down the excess bilirubin, which is then excreted in his stool. Jaundice is usually gone by the time baby is seven to 10 days old.

Heart Murmur

What it is: A heart murmur is just a sound that differs from the standard heartbeat. Doctors classify heart murmurs based on location (where it's heard on the baby's chest), the timing of the sound, and what it sounds like. One out of three babies is born with a heart murmur, but less than 1 percent of newborns have actual heart disease. The majority of heart murmurs are benign, and many go away by themselves. If your baby is eating well, gaining weight, has a pulse in all the usual locations, and has good circulation, then it's likely that his heart murmur is harmless.

What to watch out for: A murmur will often appear in the first 24 hours after birth, as a newborn shifts from using his mother's circulatory system to using his own. This "transitional" murmur resolves itself within a day or two. Other innocent heart murmurs can also show up within the first few days after delivery.

Treatment: A test called an echocardiogram -- similar to a sonogram -- allows the doctor to get a closer look at the heart. Your pediatrician may order one if he notices that your baby is not doing well otherwise, because it could mean that he does have a heart problem. Keep in mind, however, that the vast majority of heart murmurs are harmless. Your child can have one his whole life with no ill effects.

Skin Problems

What it is: The two most common conditions are cradle cap and acne.

Cradle cap -- appearing as skin discoloration -- s a condition caused by an accumulation of oil and shedding skin cells. It may look ugly, but cradle cap doesn't hurt baby, and it's easy to treat.

Newborn acne can result from maternal hormones still circulating in the new baby's body during the first weeks after delivery.

What to watch out for: If your baby's scalp has patches of greasy scales or heavy flaking and yellow crustiness, she may have cradle cap. Newborn acne appears similar to adult acne.

Treatment: Neither of these conditions are serious or require extensive treatment.

If your baby appears to have cradle cap, rub baby oil onto your baby's scalp to loosen the scales. Then shampoo thoroughly, and make sure to rinse well. If your baby has a stubborn case of cradle cap, your doctor may recommend a prescription shampoo or ointment. Usually cradle cap is totally gone by baby's first birthday, if not sooner.

Unlike adolescent skin problems, newborn acne requires no special treatment other than washing the area with water a few times a day. The blemishes will go away on their own within a few months, with no permanent scars.

Umbilical Cord Problems

What it is: Normally the umbilical cord dries up and falls off about one to two weeks after birth. But sometimes the tissue at the base of the cord begins to grow new cells, forming a growth called a granuloma. This can develop if you don't clean the crater of the belly button thoroughly, either with alcohol or water three to four times per day until the cord dries up and falls off. Bacteria can collect there and stimulate the cord tissue to grow.

Another cord problem is an umbilical hernia. When your baby is in the womb, his blood vessels extend through an opening in his abdomen into the umbilical cord. At birth this opening should shut. Occasionally, however, it doesn't close completely. When this occurs, a small piece of intestine will repeatedly push against the opening.

What to watch out for: Signs of a granuloma include the area around the cord appearing yellowish -- possibly oozing and bleeding as well.

A baby suffering from an umbilical hernia will have a small bulge which appears in his abdomen when he cries or strains. This bulge can be as small as a pea or as large as a lemon. But don't confuse an umbilical hernia with an "outie" belly button. A hernia expands when baby cries; an outie doesn't.

If the bulge doesn't recede after baby cries or strains, suddenly becomes larger, can't be pushed in, or is tender to the touch -- or if baby is vomiting -- call the doctor immediately. There's a possibility that a loop of intestine is caught in the abdominal opening and could become strangulated. If not treated promptly, the condition could be fatal.

Treatment: Granuloma can be treated with a pediatrician's one or two painless applications of silver nitrate.

Usually an umbilical hernia will disappear over time with no treatment. However, if your child still has an umbilical hernia when he enters school, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon to repair the problem. This procedure is relatively minor and doesn't require a hospital stay.

Blocked Tear Ducts

What it is: One in 100 babies has one or both tear ducts blocked at birth, causing tears to back up and spill over the eyelids instead of draining through baby's nose.

What to watch out for: Besides lots of wetness, another sign of a blocked duct is sticky mucus in the corner of the eye.

Treatment: Generally the blockage clears up on its own, but your doctor may suggest that you massage the inside corner of each eye. If the condition persists, the ducts can be opened surgically by a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Your should know:

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.