Is neonatal pneumonia vomiting severe?

Written by Gao Shan Na
Neonatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Some common symptoms of neonatal pneumonia include: frothy sputum, shortness of breath, cough, fever, and the three-concave sign. If the bacterial pathogen of this lung infection also affects the gastrointestinal tract, there may also be symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. When severe pneumonia causes cyanosis and lack of oxygen in the child, accompanied by frequent vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration, this type of pneumonia is quite severe and it is essential to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Gao Shan Na
Neonatology
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Is neonatal pneumonia vomiting severe?

Some common symptoms of neonatal pneumonia include: frothy sputum, shortness of breath, cough, fever, and the three-concave sign. If the bacterial pathogen of this lung infection also affects the gastrointestinal tract, there may also be symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. When severe pneumonia causes cyanosis and lack of oxygen in the child, accompanied by frequent vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration, this type of pneumonia is quite severe and it is essential to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Gao Shan Na
Neonatology
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How long is the treatment for neonatal pneumonia?

Neonatal pneumonia, commonly referred to here, is an infectious pneumonia and a prevalent disease among newborns, also a significant cause of neonatal mortality. Its causes include intrauterine infectious pneumonia, infections during the delivery process, and postnatal infections. Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of the lung infection, the toxicity of the pathogen, and individual differences in the host response. For mild infections, the general treatment duration is seven to ten days, but for severe infections, it may extend to two to three weeks or even longer, particularly with specific pathogens.

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Written by Gao Shan Na
Neonatology
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Is neonatal pneumonia serious?

Neonatal pneumonia can be mild or severe. Severe pneumonia is mainly characterized by cough, shortness of breath, significant tracheal tug signs, and some babies may have cyanosis around the lips, which indicates hypoxia. This type of pneumonia is serious and requires timely medical attention at a hospital. Common manifestations of mild pneumonia include slight shortness of breath, occasional white foam from the mouth, or some babies having phlegm sound in the throat. Chest X-rays show imaging changes in mild cases. Even with mild pneumonia, it is important to seek timely medical care and intervention to shorten the recovery time. Severe pneumonia, however, requires a longer recovery time.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What tests are done at the hospital for neonatal pneumonia?

Newborns have immature tracheal functions and low immune function; once neonatal pneumonia occurs, hospitalization is definitely required. The usual tests needed include the following aspects: First, imaging tests, typically including chest X-rays or a CT scan of the lungs, are necessary to understand the extent, severity, and specific details of the lung lesions. Second, tests related to infection are needed. This generally includes complete blood counts, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, etc. In cases with significant throat phlegm, sputum culture and blood culture are also needed to identify the pathogen. Third, an assessment of the child’s tracheal function and internal environmental status is required. This typically involves blood tests for liver function, kidney function, cardiac enzymes, electrolytes, etc., to enable a comprehensive assessment and accurate treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
51sec home-news-image

How to Prevent and Care for Neonatal Pneumonia

Prevention and care of neonatal pneumonia mainly involve paying attention to the following points: First, pay close attention to the feeding methods to prevent the child from aspirating and causing aspiration pneumonia; Second, ensure that the baby is kept warm to prevent catching colds which could lead to secondary viral or bacterial infections, worsening the condition; Third, be vigilant about preventing cross-infection in terms of hygiene. This includes maintaining hand hygiene and ventilating rooms frequently; Fourth, follow the doctor's orders for treatment and medication, especially if the child has pneumonia and is usually hospitalized. If it is a mother-baby room, follow the doctor’s instructions to properly administer medication to the child to prevent aspiration during medication, which could worsen the condition.