Summary
Tachypnoea and cyanosis are frequently encountered in the neonatal period. The prevalence of respiratory distress in newborns ranges from 2.9% to 7.6%. Cyanosis can result from a range of disorders, including cardiac, metabolic, neurological, and parenchymal/non-parenchymal pulmonary disorders. In all, 4.3% of newborns may require supplemental oxygen therapy because of cyanosis. [1] [2] [3] Cyanosis is dependent on the absolute concentration of the reduced haemoglobin and not on the ratio of reduced haemoglobin to oxyhaemoglobin. Cyanosis is classified into central and peripheral cyanosis. When present throughout the body, including the mucous membranes and tongue, the condition is termed central cyanosis. When limited to the extremities, it is termed peripheral cyanosis or acrocyanosis.
Differential diagnosis
- Common
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- Transposition of great arteries (TGA)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Pulmonary atresia
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
- Transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN)
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
- Pneumothorax
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary oedema
- Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM)
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
- Upper airway obstruction
- Polycythaemia
- Asphyxia
- Methaemoglobinaemia (met-Hb)
- Hypoglycaemia
- Neonatal sepsis
- Uncommon
-
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR)
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome or single ventricle physiology states
- Tricuspid atresia
- Truncus arteriosus (TA)
- Pulmonary haemorrhage
- Pulmonary hypoplasia
- Pulmonary lymphangiectasia
- Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF)/oesophageal atresia (OA)
- Congenital lobar emphysema
- Pleural effusion
- Arteriovenous malformation
