Ask the Expert Series: What Are The Danger Signs in Newborns?
Hello everyone! 👋 As a healthcare professional, I understand that the health and well-being of your newborn is of utmost importance. Hence, I am thrilled to be hosting this session to address your concerns about the danger signs in newborns that you should be aware of. I am Dr Smily Lock, MBBS, MMed (FM), Head of Healthcare Solutions (Chronic and Long-Term Care) at Speedoc.👩💼 During this session, I will be sharing insights on how you can identify potential health risks and danger signs in your newborn. 🚨 From common warning signs to more severe symptoms, I will be delighted to share my opinion on how you can ensure your baby stays healthy. Kindly leave your questions in the comments section below. We will do our best to respond to every question! 💡🗣️ Topic: What Are The Danger Signs in Newborns? Date: Wednesday, 10th May 2023 Time: 8.00 - 9.00 pm
Do environmental factors (like pollution or climate change) also impact the health and development of a newborn? What are the related danger signs to watch out for?
What are some ways that fathers can actively participate in monitoring and promoting the health and development of a newborn baby?
Dear user, thank you for your question. Fathers can definitely contribute to the health and development of the newborn baby in many ways, not limited to: 1) assisting with doctor appointments such as vaccinations and follow ups; 2) observe baby's developmental milestones by ticking off the list in the baby's health booklet; 3) Ensure safety features in newborns are in place, including avoiding objects which may suffocate baby, preventing water scalds during bath time, infant car seat installation, avoiding sarong cradle and ensure baby is never left alone at all times. More information can be found in websites from established government agencies or internationally recognised organisations, including HealthHub (HPB), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites. Hope they are helpful!
Can a mother’s postpartum depression impact the health and development of newborns? What are the related danger signs?
Dear user, thank you for your question. A mother's postpartum depression may affect an infant's weight gain, increase infant physical health concerns, and increased infant nighttime awakenings at 9 months. One of the danger signs to look for include tapering growth centiles, which can be seen by observing the trends in the child's weight, height and head circumference. These markers are found in the child's health booklet. If postpartum depression is picked up, medical advice should be sought at the earliest opportunity.
My newborn has jaundice. How can we treat this illness ? What are the warning signs to look out for ?
Dear user, thank you for your question. Jaundice is a condition where bile pigments are accumulated in the bloodstream and appear as a yellow discoloration on the skin and whites of the eyes. There are many causes of jaundice, ranging from physiological jaundice (relatively harmless) to biliary atresia (serious). In the event of high levels of jaundice, a complication called "kernicterus" can occur in the first 2 weeks of life, whereby the toxic bile pigments affect the brain. Some warning signs of kernicterus to look out for include lethargy, drowsiness and poor feeding, in which cases should be seen by a medical professional early.
How does breastfeeding promote the health and development of newborns and prevent danger signs?
Dear user, thank you for your question. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding for the infant, including reducing the risk of medical conditions like asthma, obesity, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome and otitis media (ear infection). Because of these widely researched benefits of breastmilk for infants, World Health Organisation (WHO) actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children.
What preventative measures can parents take to reduce the risk of danger signs in newborns?
Dear user, thank you for your question. There are many preventative measures that can help your newborn, and here are some important ones: 1) Always ensure baby sleeps on his/her back, as this is established in research to significantly reduce risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 2) Ensure that warm water in the bathtub is tested before placing baby, to prevent serious scalds on newborn's skin. 3) Always ensure that baby is safely belted in a rear-facing car seat placed in the back seat when travelling in a car, as it significantly reduces risk of severe injury in the event of a car accident. Hope these are helpful!
What are the most concerning danger signs and when to seek medical attention for newborns?
Dear user, thank you for your question. Newborn danger signs include abnormal breathing, reduced feeding, less than 4 urinations in 24 hours, unexplained weight loss or inconsolable crying (e.g. crying continuously for 4 hours). In any of these scenarios, do seek medical attention immediately.
How can fathers best prepare for potential emergency situations with their newborn?
Dear user, thank you for your question. Emergency situations can be both prevented and also prepared for. One of the best advice to prevent any emergencies is to ensure that your knowledge on caring for your young one is from highly accurate sources, such as established government agencies or internationally recognised organisations. Examples of these include HealthHub (HPB), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which contains a robust database of evidence-based information, from nutrition to vaccinations. In the event of emergency, be prepared by knowing where your child's health records are and the nearest clinic / emergency department.
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