P24.8: Other neonatal aspiration syndromes

Certain substances have got into the child’s airways or lungs.

You need lungs to breath. When you breathe in, the air with the oxygen passes through the airways to the lungs. The respiratory tract ends in the air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen passes into the blood in the pulmonary alveoli (air sacs). The pulmonary alveoli and the airways are surrounded by supportive tissue. This supportive tissue consists of connective tissue.

Certain substances can get into the airways and lungs. The airways can become blocked as a result. Substances like these may include vernix caseosa or small objects, for example. Vernix caseosa is the name given to the yellowish-white film covering the skin of most babies after their birth. The health problems depend on how much of the substances gets into the airways.

If the child’s airways are blocked, the pulmonary alveoli may absorb less oxygen. This can cause breathlessness and accelerated breathing. The skin may also be blueish. As a result, a lung inflammation can develop. With a case of lung inflammation, various other health problems can occur. These include a sucking weakness. The child may also keep stopping breathing for a short time. The body temperature may be higher or lower than usual.