Danger signs in newborns requiring immediate medical attention

Parents should seek immediate healthcare if their newborn exhibits any of the following conditions: 

• Convulsions: If your child is having a convulsion, their eyes might roll backwards. They might be unresponsive, shake violently in all limbs for a short time, and have shallow or unusual breathing.
• Severe drowsiness or unresponsiveness: It’s normal for your child to be sleepy sometimes, such as after a feed. However, if your child seems unusually sleepy and you can’t wake them even after repeated attempts, seek help immediately. 
• Difficulty breathing or unusual breathing: Look for signs such as chest in-drawing, where the muscles between the ribs pull in. In severe cases, your child might appear very tired, have blue-tinged skin, be quite or make a grunting noise with each breath. 
• Persistent cough and wheezing:  If your child has a cough lasting more than 5 days and is wheezing, seek medical attention.
• Fever: If our child has a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, especially if the temperature rises suddenly. For babies aged 0-1 month with a temperature higher than 38°C, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. For children aged 1-12 months with a temperature higher than 38°C, visit their doctor as soon as possible.
• Low body temperature: A body temperature below 35.5 degrees Celsius, blue lips, or blue, pale, mottled, or patchy skin colour are signs of concern.
• Rash: Seek help for any rash, except for a diaper rash that can be treated at home.
• Feeding problems: If your child stops breastfeeding or feeding, or shows no interest in feeding, this could be an early sign of illness.
• Persistent vomiting: While vomiting can be a normal response of the body to the things it does not want or need, if it does not stop and your child can’t keep anything down, it can lead to dehydration and requires immediate attention. 
• Liquid stool (diarrhea) and reduced peeing: Frequent, very liquid stools and a significant decrease in wet nappies or dark-coloured urine are signs of dehydration.  
• Irritability or unusual or continuous crying: While crying is normal, persistent irritability, high-pitched or unusual crying that is hard to settle can indicate serious illness or pain.
• Jaundice: If your baby's skin becomes more yellow, especially on the abdomen, arms, legs, or eyes, seek healthcare immediately.

Small newborns, particularly those born with very low birth weight (less than 1.5 kg), have a significantly higher risk of being taken to hospital during their first year after discharge compared to term and healthy babies.  Respiratory infections are the most common cause of needing to return to the hospital, but other reasons may include feeding difficulties, acid reflux (where stomach contents come back up into the food pipe (esophagus), and medical conditions such as hearing or vision issues, heart conditions, cerebral palsy, or neurodevelopmental problems.