Why does a baby's lips turn blue when drinking water, and what should be done?

Generally, if a baby chokes while drinking water and the lips turn purple, it may be caused by drinking too quickly, improper posture, gastroesophageal reflux, tracheoesophageal fistula, congenital esophageal web, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive general treatment, medication, or other treatments under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Drinking too quickly

When a baby is thirsty, he or she may drink water too quickly, causing water to enter the trachea due to insufficient swallowing, which leads to choking and cyanosis of the lips. It is recommended not to feed water when the baby is overly hungry or thirsty. Feed water patiently and allow the baby to drink slowly to avoid rushing.

2. Improper posture

If the baby lies flat or tilts the head too low while drinking water, water may flow into the trachea due to gravity, causing choking and cyanosis of the lips. When feeding water, the baby's head should be appropriately elevated, maintaining a semi-reclining or inclined position. After feeding, do not let the baby lie flat immediately.

3. Gastroesophageal reflux

Due to immature development or dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter in infants, stomach contents may reflux into the esophagus and even up to the throat, causing choking, cyanosis of the lips when drinking water, and possibly symptoms such as spitting up or regurgitation. Under a doctor's guidance, medications like simethicone emulsion, compound pepsin powder, or domperidone suspension may be used for treatment.

4. Tracheoesophageal fistula

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital malformation where an abnormal passage exists between the trachea and esophagus. During drinking, water can enter the trachea through the fistula, leading to choking, cyanosis of the lips, severe coughing after eating, and recurrent pneumonia. Under medical guidance, surgical repair of the tracheoesophageal fistula can be performed to separate and repair the abnormal fistula between the trachea and esophagus, restoring their normal anatomical structure and physiological function.

5. Congenital esophageal web

Congenital esophageal web is caused by abnormal development of the esophagus during embryonic development, forming a membrane-like septum composed of mucosa and submucosa within the esophageal lumen. This condition may be related to genetic factors or abnormal vascular development during the embryonic stage. It may affect airway patency, causing choking and lip cyanosis when drinking water, and may also be accompanied by hoarseness and inspiratory breathing difficulties. Treatment mainly involves surgical removal of the laryngeal web. After surgery, dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection may be used to reduce swelling, and cefuroxime sodium injection may be administered to prevent infection, depending on the patient's condition.

In daily life, parents should observe the baby's swallowing ability and physical condition, and schedule regular medical check-ups to detect and manage potential health issues early. When feeding water or other food to the baby, maintain a quiet environment to avoid distractions that may lead to choking.