Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Newborn with a Fast Heart Rate and Breathing | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My newborn has a fast heart rate (between 160 and 200 beats per minute), a fever on and off, and fast breathing (60+ breaths per minute). It has been five days with nothing on the culture.
— Dady All Thumb in Midwest | | | ANSWER |
February 7, 2002 | | | Dear Dady All Thumb,
As you probably already know, newborns normally have pretty fast breathing (about an average of 40 breaths per minute) and heart rates (an average of about 140 beats per minute) while they are resting, and these rates can rise a fair amount when they are excited or crying. Although it certainly is possible for a completely healthy baby to have a breathing rate and heart rate as fast as you are describing when she is excited, if these rates are persistent, they may reflect potentially serious medical conditions like infections. You did not include what your baby's temperature was, but if there is any question that a newborn has a fever, she needs to be evaluated by her healthcare professional right away.
Since you mention cultures, it sounds as if you have already had your baby seen, but that the tests have not given you an answer yet. In many cases, a child will develop a routine viral infection and never have anything show up on cultures. However, until your baby's healthcare provider tells you that your baby is all well, it is very important for you continue to have her followed very closely in order to be sure that she doesn't need special treatment. This means that you should take her for follow-up visits as recommended, and in between visits, if you are worried that she doesn't look or behave right, don't hesitate to call her provider and discuss your concerns. Newborn babies can get sicker faster than older infants and children and so I am very pleased that you are so alert to your child's needs. Get to know her provider well and let him help guide you through this illness and help you learn to recognize when you need to call him for help.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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