Pertussis (whooping cough) closely resembles many other upper and lower respiratory tract infections and a proper diagnosis is essential in order to commence with the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Many cases of pertussis are initially misdiagnosed for more common respiratory tract infections.

It is only upon the onset of the typical ‘whooping’ cough (stage 2) or continuation of symptoms beyond the expected timeline of other respiratory tract infections that pertussis may be considered as a differential diagnosis.

continue reading Pertussis Tests and Treatment (Medication, Hospitalization)

What is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a contagious infection of the respiratory tract. While most respiratory tract infections are due to viruses (example : common cold, influenza), pertussis is caused by bacteria, namely the Bordetella pertussis bacterium.

Pertussis typically affects the upper respiratory tract but can spread throughout entire respiratory system and result in conditions like pneumonia. Unlike many other infections, you will not be immune to pertussis even if you had it earlier in life or had the vaccine more than 3 to 5 years ago.

Outbreaks of pertussis are not uncommon and children are more at risk of contracting the infection. However, a triple vaccination against pertussis, which is given to children older than 6 months, has drastically reduced outbreaks. Adults may also be prone to acquiring pertussis, especially if they have a child with the infection, or work closely with children – teachers, baby sitters, day care providers as well as medical workers. In the event of an outbreak, adults with children who may be at risk of contracting pertussis should consider booster vaccinations.

continue reading Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Symptoms, Stages, Spread, Vaccine

Neonatal jaundice is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera (“whites” of the eyes), mouth and deeper lying tissues of the body in a newborn baby due to a high level of bilirubin in blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Jaundice can lead to a complication known as kernicterus which is the damage to the brain as a result of bilirubin deposition.

Bilirubin Levels in Babies

In newborns, it is mainly the unconjugated bilirubin that is elevated. Your pediatrician may monitor the total serum bilirubin which is the combination of the unconjugated (“indirect”) and conjugated (“direct”) bilirubin levels in the blood.

continue reading Treatment of Breastfeeding and Breast Milk Jaundice in Infants

Jaundice in newborn babies are a common occurrence and is evident as a yellowish discoloration of the skin, mouth and whites of the eye (sclera). In babies, the discoloration of the sclera is often more prominent than it is in jaundiced adults. Jaundice is due to an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia).

Neonatal jaundice that is not pathological may be due to physiologic jaundice, breastfeeding jaundice or breast milk jaundice. Jaundice in newborn babies that may be due to pathological causes includes non-hemolytic jaundice in a condition like Gilbert’s syndrome or hemolytic jaundice as a result of erythroblastosis fetalis.

continue reading Neonatal Jaundice | Yellowish Skin, Eye, Mouth Color in Newborns

Newborn babies can develop various types of skin rashes, caused by many different factors. Most are harmless and resolve spontaneously but others can be dangerous and may even be life-threatening for the baby.

Causes of Skin Rash in Newborn Babies

A rash is a reaction of the skin due to any cause, such as :

• Infection – bacterial, fungal or viral.
  Most rashes caused by viruses are not serious and do not harm the baby. They usually do not require any treatment and disappear on their own. Viral infections such as chicken pox, rubella, or measles may become serious in newborns because of their weak immune system.
• Allergic reaction.
• Skin irritation.
• Drug reaction.
• Normal physiologic skin changes.

continue reading Causes of Skin Rashes in Newborn Babies, Infants