Question
How severe is neonatal pneumonia?
Answer
Most children are full-term infants. The majority of them exhibit an increased breathing rate (greater than 60 times per minute) within a few hours after birth. Most symptoms are mild, lasting about 10 hours. Severe symptoms are rare and may delay until about 10 days later. Symptoms include low crying, pale blue skin, slight groaning, nasal flaring, rapid breathing (over 60 times per minute), and very rarely, positive lung signs on auscultation can lead to decreased breath sounds, roughness, and moist rales. PaO2 levels may slightly decrease. In some cases, vomiting, elevated PaCO2, and acidosis are not common. Children will also cry and drink milk.
