Blue baby syndrome or blue baby syndrome is a condition that causes a baby's skin to turn bluish or purplish. This condition can occur from the time the baby is born to the first months of life.
Basically, blue baby syndrome is caused by a lack of oxygen levels in the blood. Ideally, blood will be pumped by the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. After that, oxygen-rich blood is returned to the heart, then to the rest of the body.
However, some babies can have problems with their heart, lungs, or blood. Problems in these three parts can cause the blood that flows not to get oxygen properly, causing the baby's skin to turn bluish. This bluish color will be more visible on thin skin areas, such as lips, earlobes, and nails.
Causes of Blue Baby Syndrome
Lack of oxygen levels in the blood can be caused by several things. Following are some of them:
1. Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare condition, but is also the most common cause of blue baby syndrome. In this condition, the heart is deformed in 4 parts. As a result, blood flow to the lungs and back to the heart is reduced, and the blood that flows throughout the body does not get oxygen at the levels it should.
2. Methemoglobinemia
Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder caused by excess methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that can carry oxygen, but cannot deliver it effectively to the body's cells.
Methemoglobinemia This can occur when the baby is poisoned with nitrates. This condition usually occurs when babies are given formula milk mixed with well water, or when babies under 6 months of age are given nitrate-rich foods, such as spinach or beets.
At this age, the baby's digestive tract is not yet ready to accept solid food. The baby's digestive tract is also still sensitive and tends to produce nitrite. When nitrite circulates in the body, nitrite will produce methemoglobin. This causes oxygen can not be used properly and blue baby syndrome ensues.
3. Other causes
In addition to the 2 causes above, blue baby syndrome can also occur when there are health abnormalities in both the baby and the mother. The following are examples:
Genetic disorders
Genetic disorders can cause congenital heart defects. For example, babies born with the condition down syndrome often also have heart problems.
Mother's health condition
Several diseases experienced by mothers during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital heart defects in children. For example, pregnant women with type 2 diabetes.
Blue Baby Syndrome Symptoms
In addition to the bluish color of the skin, blue baby syndrome can also be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Fussy
- Sluggish
- Diarrhea
- Difficult to breathe
- Hard to eat
- Difficult to gain weight
- Fast heart rate
- Fingers tend to be round
- Slow development
Blue Baby Syndrome Diagnosis
In addition to reviewing your medical history and performing an in-person physical exam, your doctor may order a number of tests. The tests below will help determine the cause of blue baby syndrome:
- blood test
- Oxygen saturation test to determine the level of oxygen in the blood
- Chest X-ray to check the lungs and heart
- Electrocardiogram to see the electrical activity of the heart
- Echocardiography to see the pumping function of the heart
Prevention and Treatment of Blue Baby Syndrome
Although blue baby syndrome is difficult to prevent, there are several things you can do to reduce your baby's chances of developing this syndrome, namely:
- Avoid giving the baby well water even if it has been boiled until it boils, as this will not remove any nitrates that may be present in the well water.
- Limit nitrate-rich foods, such as broccoli, spinach, beets, and carrots before your baby is 7 months old.
- Avoid taking illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, and smoking during pregnancy to prevent the baby from developing congenital heart defects.
- Make sure your pregnancy is always well controlled under the supervision of a doctor, especially if you are pregnant with certain health conditions, such as diabetes.
If your baby has blue baby syndrome, make sure you always consult a doctor so that the exact cause of blue baby syndrome can be found immediately. After that, treatment can be done based on the cause. The sooner this condition is treated, the better the outcome.
