Common Health Problems in Infants
Infancy is generally the period from birth until age two years. It is a time of a lot of growth and change for children and families. There are many health problems in infants that most often do not require any treatment and can go away on their own, while others will need the attention of a doctor. Some of the health problems that do not require treatment are:
Blocked Tear Ducts
Tears drain from the inner corner of the eye to the nose through the nasolacrimal ducts. In some infants, this duct is blocked , so tears can't drain. You can massage the side of the nose where the duct is block to try to help it. It should usually clear up, but if persistent infections occur you may need to see a doctor.
Cradle crap - is a yellowish, patchy, greasy, scaly and crusty skin rash that occurs on the scalp of recently born babies. It is usually not itchy, and does not bother the baby.
Hair Loss - This can occur on a part of your baby's heard where he lies a lot. It should go away as your infant gets older and begins to sit up and roll over more.
Acrocyanosis - Most people expect their baby's skin to be a pink color as a sign of a healthy baby. Many babies can have blue hands and feet at times, though. This is a sign of an immature circulatory system.
Some of the health problems in infants that will need the attention of a doctor are:
Eczema - A noncontagious inflammation of the skin, characterized chiefly by redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may discharge serous matter and become encrusted and scaly.
Urinary Tract Infection - Infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Asthma - is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Jaundice - is an illness that can cause a baby's skin, eyes, and mouth to turn a yellowish color. The yellow color is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a substance that is produced in body during the normal process of breaking down old red blood cells and forming new ones.
Make sure to get your infant all the proper vaccines and immunizations. If symptoms continue with any health problem the best thing to do is take them to the doctor. This will clear up any infection the baby might have or any confusion and worry that you might have.
Also a very good resource to use is your family and friends. Most of the time your Mother and older siblings that have had babies and can help you figure out what to do.
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