Patient's question:
My baby is just one month old. Yesterday, I noticed that my baby's face is red and that their breathing is a bit rapid. Could it be pneumonia? What are the specific symptoms of neonatal pneumonia?Doctor's answer:
Since the cough reflex of newborns has not yet fully developed, coughing is rare. Additionally, due to characteristics such as relatively underdeveloped chest, weak respiratory muscles, small range of respiratory motion, shallow respiratory surface, and the absence of deep breathing, the clinical manifestations are non-specific, and the clinical symptoms are often atypical. Difficulty breathing may only manifest as irregular breathing, pauses, or rapid breathing. Lung signs are usually not apparent in the early stages. Mild, faint wet rales may be heard on both sides of the spine, or a twisting sound may be heard at the end of inspiration.