CHAPTER XV. ILLS OF BABY. Ailments that Often Affect Baby During the First Three Months of Life.
Asphyxia Neonatorum — This condition may occur before or immediately after delivery. It is caused by the too early separation of the placenta and pressure on the umbilicus cord during delivery. The child when born is either blue and stiff, or very pale and limp. The heart beats, if heard at all, are very faint. Unless respiration can be induced the child will die.
Treatment — The treatment consists in using all the means we have to encourage and stimulate the respiratory organs, and the use of several methods to produce artificial respiration. The treatment should be persevering but gentle. <Callout type="tip" title="Tip">Perhaps the simplest treatment and one that is very effectual is to hold the infant up by the feet, head downward, and spank it.</Callout>
Shock — In mild cases of asphyxia, where simple treatment does not have the desired results, the most common method used is that which will produce a shock. Sometimes the simple sprinkling of cold water on the chest or back is sufficient to cause the infant to catch its breath and cry.
Artificial Respiration — Of this treatment there are two methods. One known as 'Byrd's,' which consists of alternately folding and infolding the child upon itself like a book, and the 'Sylvester's' method as used in resuscitating a drowned person, which is produced by alternately raising the arms high above the head and pressing them down again close to the sides. To be repeated twenty times a minute.
Blue Babies — Of these there are two classes; the first one is caused by failure of the wall between the two sides of the heart not closing properly. The blood is not properly oxygenated in the lungs; the arterial and venous blood mixes, the skin of the baby is blue, and we have that condition known as 'a blue baby.' The baby may live, but usually the child is not strong and dies young.
An Improvised Incubator — When it is necessary that baby should be placed in an incubator for a short time, if it is impossible to obtain one, a clothes basket may be used for this purpose; a soft pillow is placed in the basket for baby's bed, and the infant is kept warm by hot water bottles. The following incubator I improvised in an emergency and found it very satisfactory.
My Incubator — Take a large cracker box, or any clean box the right size will do. The box should be large and deep enough, according to baby's size and length, and size also to allow room enough for its little bed, and the hot water bottles that are to heat the incubator to the proper temperature.
Hemorrhages — Many children are rendered quite weak and not a few die of hemorrhage. In the newborn infant it is more often hemorrhage of the umbilicus that is of special interest to the nurse. She should watch the child for an hour or two after birth to be sure that no hemorrhage occurs.
Delayed Urination — The baby's kidneys should act shortly after birth. If they do not, inspect the parts to be sure they are normal. If so, do not be alarmed if urination is delayed. Give the baby all the warm water it will take, or two drops of sweet spirits of nitre every hour until the kidneys act freely.
Circumcision — This is the oldest surgical operation known. It has been performed for centuries. While still a religious ceremony of the Jewish church, it is not exclusively a religious rite now, but is performed by physicians on all male children whenever physical conditions make it necessary.
The Bowels — The bowels should move in twenty-four hours after birth. It is well on the morning of the second day to give the baby a teaspoonful of olive oil. Olive oil is preferable to castor oil, because it does not gripe the baby and clears the intestinal tract of the meconium.
Jaundice — This is a yellowish discloration of the skin in new-born infants. It usually makes its appearance from the third to the ninth day. The bowels are usually affected. The bowels should be hushed daily with a saline enema, and the writer has found a one-twentieth of a grain of calomel triturate dissolved in a teaspoonful of water and given to the infant (be sure the baby gets the medicine, as it is very heavy and settles on the bowl of the spoon), followed in an hour by a teaspoonful of olive oil is very effectual.
Infection of the Eyes — Ophthalmia neonatorum or infection of the eyes is an acute purulent infection of the mucus membrane of the eyes of the new-born infant. It is usually caused by the gonorrhea germ. The best method for removing the pus from the eye is a gentle stream of boric acid solution.
<Callout type="warning" title="Warning">Always ensure that any compresses or solutions used are clean and sterile to prevent further infection.</Callout>
<Callout type="important" title="Important">The prevention of this terrible affection, which is the cause of one-third of all the blindness in the world, is the precaution we use at birth. The infant's eyes should be carefully washed, as has already been described, and the Crede's method ensures additional safety where conditions are doubtful.</Callout>
<Callout type="tip" title="Tip">For treating eye infections, place the child on your lap with a piece of rubber sheeting or oil cloth under its head to catch any water or discharge.</Callout>
Key Takeaways
- Asphyxia neonatorum requires persistent but gentle resuscitation efforts.
- Blue babies can be treated with proper circulation and oxygenation.
- An improvised incubator can help regulate a newborn's temperature.
- Circumcision is an important surgical procedure for male infants.
- Eye infections in newborns should be carefully managed to prevent blindness.
Practical Tips
- Always keep the environment clean when treating newborns to avoid further infection.
- Use olive oil instead of castor oil for bowel movements as it's gentler on the baby.
- Regularly check for signs of hemorrhage in newborns, especially around the umbilicus.
Warnings & Risks
- Be cautious with resuscitation methods; overzealous attempts can harm the infant.
- Ensure all equipment and solutions used are sterile to prevent further infection.
- Do not delay treatment if you suspect eye infections as they can lead to blindness.
Modern Application
While many of these techniques have evolved, understanding the principles behind resuscitation and care for newborns remains crucial. Modern survival preparedness emphasizes hygiene, safety, and quick response in emergencies, aligning with historical practices but incorporating contemporary medical knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is asphyxia neonatorum and how can it be treated?
Asphyxia neonatorum occurs when a newborn's breathing stops due to the placenta separating too early or umbilical cord compression. Treatment involves gentle resuscitation methods, such as spanking the baby or using artificial respiration techniques.
Q: How can I prevent eye infections in newborns?
To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, carefully wash the infant's eyes after birth and use the Crede's method to ensure additional safety. Always keep the environment clean to avoid further infection.
Q: What is an improvised incubator and how can it be used?
An improvised incubator can be made from a large box with holes for ventilation, heated by hot water bottles or Japanese stoves. It helps regulate a newborn's temperature in emergencies when a proper incubator is unavailable.