What are the symptoms when a newborn catches a cold?
May 14, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
After getting chilled, the body attempts to generate heat through muscle shivering to raise body temperature. This can cause infants to experience chills and shivering as a means of increasing body temperature. It may also lead to shallow and rapid breathing in newborns, which is an adaptive response to low body temperature aimed at supplying more oxygen to produce heat and maintain thermal balance. Additionally, the infant may appear lethargic and less responsive.
Generally, common symptoms of a newborn catching a cold include chills, weakness, and lack of energy. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Chills
After getting chilled, the body attempts to generate heat through muscle shivering to raise body temperature. This may cause the infant to experience cold sensations and shivering in an effort to increase body temperature.
2. Weak breathing
Exposure to cold can cause shallow and rapid breathing in newborns. This is an adaptive response by the infant's body to low body temperature, aimed at supplying more oxygen to generate heat and maintain body temperature.
3. Lack of energy
When a newborn’s body temperature is too low, metabolic processes slow down, leading to insufficient energy supply. This may cause the baby to appear lethargic, sluggish in response, or even exhibit excessive sleepiness.
In addition, other possible symptoms include fever, bluish skin discoloration (cyanosis), and irregular heart rate or breathing. Severe chilling may lead to hypothermia and other complications such as hypoglycemia, breathing difficulties, or increased risk of infection. Prompt medical attention is recommended.
