Question

How should newborn shortness of breath be handled?

Answer

Newborn shortness of breath may be related to asphyxia, often caused by hypoxia or respiratory and circulatory obstructions during the birthing process. Within the first minute after birth, if the infant does not begin to breathe on its own or cannot establish regular breathing, asphyxia occurs. Asphyxia leads to pathophysiological changes such as hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and acidosis. The measures for handling newborn shortness of breath include:

  1. Quickly clearing respiratory mucus to ensure unobstructed breathing.
  2. Establishing breathing by taking steps to increase ventilation, helping the infant start or maintain regular breathing.
  3. Maintaining a normal circulatory system to ensure adequate cardiac output, providing oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. If the situation is urgent or persistent, immediate medical assistance should be sought, and the infant should be transported to the hospital for further examination and treatment.