Patient's question:
The baby's appetite has been quite good. However, a few days ago, while feeding, the baby choked on milk. Milk filled the baby's nose and mouth, followed by intense coughing and quick, shallow breathing. The baby's lips turned blue. What are the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia in newborns?Doctor's answer:
Aspiration pneumonia is a chemical pneumonia caused by inhaling acidic substances, animal fats such as food, gastric contents, and other irritating liquids and volatile hydrocarbons. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure or acute respiratory distress syndrome. If the aspiration pneumonia is caused by a tracheoesophageal fistula, spasmodic coughing and shortness of breath may occur after every bowel movement. When inhalation occurs under a state of unconsciousness, there may be no obvious symptoms at first, but difficulty breathing can suddenly recur 1 to 2 hours later, with rapid recurrence of cyanosis and hypotension. The patient may cough out serous foamy sputum, sometimes blood-stained. Wet rales can be heard in both lungs, accompanied by stridor. In severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome may recur. During treatment, the patient needs to maintain a balanced diet, adhere to a regular schedule, actively participate in physical exercise, regulate physical and mental health, and keep personal hygiene to avoid bacterial invasion due to weakened immunity.