How many days does a newborn need to be hospitalized for pneumonia?

Written by Gao Shan Na
Neonatology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Neonatal pneumonia is a common disease in newborns and the most common form of infection and a significant cause of death. It can occur during childbirth or after birth and is caused by various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. In fact, pneumonia can be mild or severe. The usual treatment duration for mild pneumonia is 7-10 days. In severe cases, if there are complications like respiratory failure, heart failure, or damage to other vital organs, then the treatment duration will definitely be longer.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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How to treat neonatal pneumonia?

Neonatal Pneumonia Treatment: 1. Manage the respiratory tract by nebulization inhalation, postural drainage, regular turning and back patting to keep the airway clear and clean the oral and nasal secretions. 2. For those with hypoxemia, provide oxygen therapy, which may include nasal cannula oxygen delivery, masks, or head masks. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary if required. 3. Choose appropriate antibiotics; for bacterial infections, select sensitive antibiotics based on the type of bacteria, while antiviral drugs can be used to support treatment of viral infections. 4. Correct circulatory disturbances and electrolyte balance, control infusion rate to prevent heart failure and pulmonary edema, and ensure the supply of energy and nutrients. Immunoglobulin can be used as appropriate to boost immunity.

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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 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 Zeng Hai Jiang
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Do newborns with pneumonia have a red complexion?

Neonatal pneumonia generally does not cause a flushed face; instead, it may lead to cyanosis or blueness. Neonatal pneumonia can present with fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but these symptoms might not be typical and could merely show as rapid breathing and severe vomiting. The physical signs of neonatal pneumonia are also not obvious, and it is difficult to hear wet rales in the lungs. When a newborn has pneumonia, due to the obstruction of gas exchange in the lungs, the infant will breathe faster to improve the hypoxic condition, thus presenting shortness of breath and a tendency to vomit easily. When a baby has pneumonia, they are prone to hypoxia, and the face and lips may turn blue or cyanotic, rather than red.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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Newborn pneumonia symptoms

If a newborn gets pneumonia, it can manifest as coughing, although some newborns may not cough at all, showing only symptoms like spitting white foam. Some may have a mild fever, while others may experience slightly rapid breathing. More severe cases can present with cyanosis of the lips, unhealthy-looking facial complexion, or a bluish purple facial color. These are signs of severe pneumonia. Additionally, there might be a decrease in urine output, poor responsiveness, etc. The symptoms of pneumonia in newborns are relatively less typical than those in older infants and toddlers.