Question
A premature baby, seven and a half months old, was diagnosed with hemangioma and pneumonia within the first day of birth. After treatment, the infant experienced multiple episodes of apnea within a day, with the longest duration possibly reaching five minutes, accompanied by white froth at the corners of the mouth. How should one handle neonatal apnea issues?
Answer
Apnea refers to a situation where an infant does not exhibit breathing movements for a period of time, i.e., breathing cessation for 20 seconds or longer, often accompanied by purple skin color and a decrease in heart rate. Apnea is a severe symptom, and if not treated promptly, prolonged hypoxia may lead to brain damage. When an infant shows signs of apnea, immediate stimulation should be provided before the skin color changes, such as gently patting the back, tapping the sole of the foot, lifting the head and gently patting the back, etc., to assist the baby in regaining breathing as soon as possible.