Five Common Diseases in Newborns: Symptoms and Treatment
All new parents hope that their children’s health will not have health complications, but a number of diseases have been shown to affect many newborns on a regular basis. This article will discuss five common diseases in newborns, providing causes, symptoms, and treatment options for each.
Rotovirus is a viral infection found in infants and young children. Symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever. The virus works by attacking the lining of the small intestine. This results in dehydration from excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes. Often these symptoms will last three to ten days. Children infected with rotavirus can be contagious for 10 to 12 days after the first signs of diarrhea. Home treatment consists of rest and administration of specially made electrolyte replacement products. Examples of these include gastrolyte, pedialyte, and plamalyte.
Oral candidiasis is an infection caused by the yeast fungus known as Candida albicans. It is also called candidiasis or moniliasis, but these terms generally describe the onset of an infection in adults (candida albicans). Oral yeast infection often reaches the human body when the immune system is weakened. Newborn babies are at special risk for infections such as oral yeast infection. Two specific causes of oral yeast infection are a reaction to antibiotics and transmission from a mother with yeast infection. The main symptom of oral yeast infection is evidence of painful white lesions inside the mouth. When oral thrush or yeast infection is diagnosed, both the mother and her baby should be treated simultaneously. The infection is usually treated with nystatin.
Cradle cap is a common scalp and skin condition caused by excessive production of oil from the scalp. Symptoms include scaly, scaly, or greasy crusts on a baby’s scalp, ears, or eyebrows. Cradle cap can be treated by first loosening the scabs. With baby, mineral or olive oil, gently scrub the crusts for ten minutes and then shampoo. Comb the hair in one direction with a baby comb, carefully removing the scab debris as you go. Then you should shampoo your child’s hair three times a week for the first three weeks after treatment. Then use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week until the cradle cap is completely gone. If the condition worsens or begins to look infected, you should contact your pediatrician immediately.
Cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection caused by the microorganism Bartonella henselae. Most of the time it is caused by a scratch or bite from a cat or kitten. Symptoms of a cat scratch infection include small pimples that form around the wound as it heals. These pimples can last up to a month. Your baby’s lymph nodes may swell and become tender. Other symptoms include headache, fever, poor appetite, and fatigue. If you suspect that your child has developed cat scratch fever, you should contact your pediatrician immediately. You can take preventative measures by carefully cleaning cat scratches and bites with soap and water.
Like oral yeast infection, ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually affects the scalp in a condition called tinea capitis. When the fungal infection is present in the body, it is known as tinea coporis. Symptoms of a ringworm infection in babies include scaly patches the size of a coin. These rashes can be dry or wet and generally stop growing once they are one inch in diameter. Ringworm on the scalp can look like bald spots or scaly patches with broken hair in the center. Sometimes ringworm is inappropriately mistaken for cradle cap. Treatment for ringworm should begin in consultation with your pediatrician. They will most likely suggest an over-the-counter antifungal cream. Further prevention of reinfection includes carefully washing your baby’s bedding until the infection is completely gone.
The presence of any of these diseases would be of concern to any parent. Fortunately, with proper attention to symptoms, consultation with a pediatrician, and careful treatment, each of them can be addressed and cured. With patience and care, you can get back to the joy of feeding your healthy newborn.
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