Infant Skin Color and Texture as a Birth Disorder Symptom

Your child may display a different skin texture or skin color. It is natural to feel worried about this. In most cases, you don’t have to worry too much because this is a common condition after birth. However, you still should pay attention to ensure that your child doesn’t have a more serious medical condition. In some cases, an infant with yellow skin could indicate jaundice, which occurs when the bilirubin level in the blood reaches a specific concentration (above 5.2mg/dL). You should closely monitor your child to ensure that the bilirubin doesn’t elevate to such a high volume that it becomes a more serious condition known as kernicterus, which can cause brain damage and even cerebral palsy.

Birth Injury Resources and Information

Your Infant Has Blue Skin

One of the most concerning things that can happen to an infant is their skin turns blue. Blue skin indicates that your child isn’t receiving enough oxygen to the brain. You need to contact a doctor immediately when an infant’s skin is blue because it only takes a few minutes before brain damage can occur. Your child can’t withstand this condition for long, which means it can result in death.

You may also notice your child’s skin appears waxy, a condition known as perinatal asphyxia, and it occurs whenever the child doesn’t receive enough oxygen to the brain.

What Should You Do if Your Child Looks Pale?

There are other cases where a child might look pale. An infant whose skin is pale could indicate the possibility of anemia. Before you diagnose this as anemia, however, you should be aware of the other symptoms present in this case. When your child has anemia, it means that they don’t have enough red blood cells or that the red blood cells are dysfunctional in their system. Some of the additional symptoms that would be present if your infant has anemia include:

  • Fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Poor growth
  • Behavioral problems
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual craving for paint, dirt, or starch

Anemia is commonly associated with many different conditions. For example, the medical community associates it with folic acid deficiency. This deficiency happens when your child doesn’t have enough folic acid in their body. As a result, the body will communicate this deficiency in a way that shows deprivation. There is another condition to be aware of, too, which is known as cephalohematoma. This condition can occur if your child has a bleed underneath the skin or a brain hemorrhage. The blood pools, and as a result, it can give them anemia.

In some cases, especially immediately after birth, it is normal for your infant’s skin to look off-colored – unless it is blue. However, if the discoloration continues over some time, you should see a doctor because it could indicate the presence of a birth disorder. The sooner you take action against a birth injury, the lower your chances of your child suffering long-term disability. In some cases, you can’t do anything. But, an early diagnosis can go a long way in addressing the issue before it can cause even more damage to your child. If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, it might be due to medical negligence. Discuss your options for filing a lawsuit and getting the compensation you deserve.

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