Question
My baby was born a month ago. I noticed yesterday that the baby’s face is red and breathing is somewhat rapid. Could it be pneumonia? What specific symptoms can neonatal pneumonia have?
Answer
Since neonates have not fully developed their cough reflex, coughing is rare. Additionally, due to the relative underdevelopment of the chest in neonates, weak respiratory muscles, and a small range of respiratory movements with shallow breathing and no deep breathing, their clinical presentation lacks specificity. Clinical symptoms are often atypical, with respiratory difficulty manifested as irregular breathing, pauses, or rapid breathing. Pulmonary signs are usually not obvious in the early stages, and may include a small amount of slight moist rales on the sides of the spine or a twisting sound at the end of inspiration.