Question
What to do about newborn sleepiness? The baby started to be sleepy three days after birth, doesn’t cry or fuss, doesn’t wake up even when touched on the sole of the foot, and has expressions while sleeping, also stretches arms and legs, but eats and drinks less and can’t be woken up from sleep.
Answer
This may be related to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns. It refers to brain damage caused by various reasons leading to hypoxia and reduced blood flow in newborns. The main pathological changes in brain tissue are edema, softening, necrosis, and hemorrhage. It is one of the important complications of neonatal asphyxia and a common cause of childhood neurological disability. A comprehensive judgment is needed based on the child’s delivery conditions, body temperature, clinical accompanying symptoms, and relevant examinations.