Blue nasolabial triangle in infants: causes, treatment, prevention. Why does a baby have a blue nasolabial triangle?

Blueness within the nasolabial triangle in children can also be associated with very thin skin in this area. The more severe the attacks, the brighter the child’s nasolabial triangle turns blue.

Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle or cyanosis is an unpleasant symptom indicating improper functioning of the baby’s cardiovascular system. Normally, a child's nasolabial triangle should have the same color as the rest of the skin on the body. What causes this symptom and should parents sound the alarm when blueness is detected? Immediately after birth, a slight blue discoloration may appear on the baby's nasolabial triangle.

A child has a blue nasolabial triangle - what to do?

This phenomenon occurs when a child screams or cries. These pathological conditions can only be diagnosed by specialists, so the child should be immediately shown to a cardiologist. If the attacks occur in an acute form, then blue discoloration may be noticeable on the nasolabial triangle.

In the first months of life, a child is vulnerable to any external factors, so even a runny nose can cause blueness. When the disease is completely cured, parents will be able to observe a change in the color of the nasolabial triangle from bluish to normal. If a baby accidentally swallows a small part from a toy, the triangle may also turn blue. To diagnose all conditions that cause cyanosis, an ultrasound of the child’s heart, a chest x-ray and a cardiogram are used.

As a treatment, parents are recommended to spend more time with the child in the fresh air, and also send the baby to therapeutic massage sessions. Treatment of cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle largely depends on the reason for which it developed in the child. However, such serious manipulations can only be carried out on healthy and strong babies.

Bluish nasolabial triangle!

If there are no heart defects, the child is prescribed therapeutic massage, swimming and walks in the fresh air. The best prevention of blue nasolabial triangle is to follow a proper diet and regular walks in the fresh air. When carrying a child, you should follow a balanced diet. During pregnancy, limit the consumption of alcohol and fatty foods.

And yesterday, after a walk, where the baby ran around like never before, I noticed the bluish tint of the nasolabial triangle. What could this be and what should I do? Blueness of the nasolabial triangle most often indicates hypoxia or heart problems.

Causes of blue nasolabial triangle

This evening we had a massage, took a swim, started getting dressed, and burst into tears because... We were already hungry, already completely dressed, and then I noticed the blueness of the nasolabial triangle.

The blue nasolabial triangle still occurs more often with heart disease, but if it appeared for the first time, it means that it is no longer a congenital defect, it would have been visible at birth.

Sick children are a serious concern for parents

Publications on “baby.ru” and advice in the weekly child development calendar should not be considered as medical recommendations for pregnancy management, diagnosis and treatment. This occurs both in absolutely healthy children and in children with diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Blood oxygen saturation in newborn babies is normally 95-100%, however, during excitement and crying, this figure can drop to its extreme minimum - 92-93%.

As the child grows up and his respiratory system improves, this manifestation disappears without a trace. A baby's nasolabial triangle may take on a bluish tint due to respiratory or lung disease. A severe cold or prolonged viral infection can also cause blue skin near the nose and around the mouth. A foreign object in the infant's respiratory tract is also accompanied by similar symptoms.

In healthy children - imaginary anxiety

All these and many other deviations can only be determined by specialists in medical institutions. If doctors determine that a child has an underdeveloped respiratory system, this can be corrected by long walks and regular massage sessions.

Even a slight blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle should not be ignored. In children in the first weeks of life, blue discoloration is sometimes observed during crying, when the level of oxygen in the blood drops to 92%. They are of pulmonary origin and are considered normal. Light and thin skin also causes the blue nasolabial triangle effect. Don't panic in this case: the child is completely healthy. Often, when bathing, hardening the baby, mothers pour too cool water into the bath. It also happens that the air temperature in the bathroom is very different from the temperature in the child’s room.

She said that sometimes a baby’s nasolabial triangle turns blue due to hypothermia. Before the appearance of blueness in the nasolabial triangle, an infant may suddenly, for no apparent reason, become nervous. In these cases, the more noticeable the blueness, the stronger the symptoms.

Pathological blue discoloration

The famous children's doctor Komarovsky, reassuring mothers, explains the blueness of the nasolabial triangle either as a distinctive feature of the newborn's blood vessels, or as a signal of heart problems. But heart problems are accompanied by a number of other signs, not just the cyanosis of the triangle. If blueness persists after the diagnosis of heart disease has been ruled out, the child should be examined by a neurologist. Prevention of heart problems in children begins in the womb.

Physiological blueness

If there is no heart defect, then the baby is only recommended for therapeutic massage, swimming and long walks. In children 3-5 years old, the triangle also appears blue, which indicates pathology and late diagnosis.

Representative offices of baby.ru:

The cardiologist explained this by hypoxia in the child during childbirth, and blueness as a consequence. Now it’s Indian summer and in the room, even with the window open, it’s about +21…+22. So she listened and said that POSSIBLY some oval valve in the child is not closed (I didn’t understand for sure), and that a cardiogram needs to be done. Ja_Lisa, it is necessary to harden, but of course, not during sleep... and at 21 degrees it can be cold when you sleep, for example, open......

Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle in children should not be treated negligently. Blueness of the nasolabial triangle in recently born children is called cyanosis of pulmonary origin. Blueness of the nasolabial triangle at moments when the child is absolutely calm and does not cry should arouse suspicion among parents. With a serious decrease in blood oxygen concentration, the nasolabial triangle in a newborn baby turns blue.

Blood Oxygen Level Determination

As soon as you bring a child who has turned blue to the hospital, you should immediately measure the level of oxygen in his blood. This can be done using an oximeter. This device examines the composition of blood using infrared rays. In addition, using the OxygenMaster, you can simultaneously measure your baby's pulse. An increased heart rate is also a symptom of low oxygen levels in the blood.

Blood oxygen levels can be determined using a blood test. Currently, a blood test is recognized as the most accurate way to measure the level of oxygen in a child's blood, but it takes some time to carry out, so the oxyhemestr is used first.

What should you do if your baby has low oxygen levels and their skin turns blue?

If the child has insufficient oxygen levels in the blood, an oxygen mask or nasal tube is needed. In very rare cases, a breathing tube is inserted down the throat and supplies oxygen directly to the lungs (endotracheal tube). This tube is connected to a ventilator, which supplies the lungs with oxygen. When a child is connected to a breathing machine, the level of oxygen in his blood must be measured continuously, which will help to effectively determine the reasons that led to a lack of oxygen in the child's body.

Tests to identify the causes of blue skin in a child

Since there are many reasons for a baby's blue skin, it is sometimes necessary to carry out a whole range of tests to identify them.

If a child has impaired functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to conduct studies of the size, shape and functioning of various parts of the heart.
If the cause is in the lungs, an x-ray will be needed to check for foreign bodies or infections in the lung tract.

Why did the child turn blue?

Blue skin must be treated by fighting, first of all, the causes of which it is a consequence.

Causes of low blood oxygen levels (blue skin) in a child

If your child has a lung infection (pneumonia), he or she will need to be treated with antibiotics. If the baby is already six weeks old, he can be given tablets, but if the baby is less than four weeks old, antibiotics must be administered intravenously. If you need to accurately determine the type of infection, you may need to do general and bacteriological blood tests. If the preliminary diagnosis of doctors confirms that the child has pneumonia, it is necessary to begin treatment with potent general antibiotics. When the type of infectious agent is determined, treatment with special antibiotics begins. Pulmonary infections caused by bacteria must be treated with antibiotics; If a child whose skin has turned blue has a viral pulmonary infection, he must be placed under the supervision of doctors and connected to an artificial respiration apparatus; antibiotics are not used in this case, since viruses are not sensitive to them.
There are other causes of lung dysfunction in children and bluish skin. Diatomical abnormalities in the pulmonary region can be corrected surgically. A special course of treatment may also be used to eliminate problems in the lower respiratory tract.
If particles of foreign bodies (toys, pieces of food) get into the lower respiratory tract, you must urgently call a doctor who can remove them.
Inflammation of the airways may result from an infection or an allergic reaction. In these cases, it is necessary to use special medications.
If blue skin in a newborn baby is the result of a heart disorder, you need to call a cardiologist who will examine the child. It may be necessary to use an oxygen mask or connect the child to a ventilator. In very rare cases, a child will need surgery to correct heart problems.

Complications from low blood oxygen levels

What complications may arise? The main and most serious complication is insufficient oxygen supply to the child’s vital organs. The brain controls the normal functioning of all other organs of the body, and insufficient oxygen supply to it can lead to disruption of the functioning of other organs. That is why the human body is designed in such a way that the brain is the last to experience oxygen starvation. As a result, even when the level of oxygen in the blood is low, the level of oxygen in the brain is significantly higher. In very rare cases, low oxygen levels in the blood can cause death.

Shade of the nasolabial triangle

Some diseases of infants are very difficult to identify by external signs. That is why, during the examination, the pediatrician asks young mothers many questions about sleep, behavior and external changes of the baby. Short-term or long-term blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle may be the first signs of abnormalities in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Additional blue discoloration of the child’s extremities should cause real concern for parents.

A false alarm can be called blueness of the nasolabial triangle in children with light and thin skin. Similar effects can appear in the first days of life, even around the eyes.

Heart disease is most often determined by these symptoms. The blue tint of the skin appears due to the mixing of two types of blood - arterial and venous. This process is caused by a simultaneous decrease in oxygen in the blood. Before the nasolabial triangle turns blue, the child may suddenly become worried. Sometimes his movements look like a strong tremor.

If this situation occurs to your baby, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is better to call a specialist at home. During the inspection, you must accurately describe all the details you saw. In addition to disruption of the heart, similar symptoms may indicate the presence of diseases of the nervous system or abnormal structure of the heart partitions. In some cases, surgery is prescribed.

Child examination

When a blue tint to the skin of the nasolabial triangle appears in a child, he is prescribed a special examination. First, the baby must be shown to a pediatrician, surgeon and neurologist. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to undergo an additional ultrasound examination. Only after all these steps have been completed will the baby be diagnosed.

You should never remain silent about any suspicious observations. Be sure to tell your pediatrician all your concerns.

Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle in a healthy child

Quite often, blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle appears in completely healthy children. The main reason for this effect may be hypothermia. In this situation, pay attention to the air temperature in the room and the clothes the child is wearing. The baby's lips may turn blue, for example, if you bathed him and did not pay attention to the fact that the bathroom and bedroom are sharply different.

Most often, blueness of the nasolabial triangle is observed in capricious and restless children. Due to constant emotional stress and crying, blood changes occur. The amount of oxygen in it decreases significantly. The result of this process is a blue tint to the skin around the nose and above the top.

Such a phenomenon as a blue nasolabial triangle in a baby occurs quite often, and in many cases does not pose a danger to the child’s health. However, there are situations when such a symptom manifests itself as a dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, as well as the respiratory system. What is cyanosis and why does it appear?

Cyanosis is a symptom of oxygen deficiency in the body, which increases the formation of methemoglobin. It is this reduced type of hemoglobin that makes the skin and mucous membranes darker. Blue discoloration of the epidermis in the area of the nasolabial triangle in infants can be of a pathological and physiological type.

Norm

Basically, this phenomenon is a consequence of increased physical activity. This area also turns blue due to:

long crying, during which the baby exhales a large amount of air and inhales little, which is why there is a deficiency of oxygen in the blood;
during feeding. Breastfeeding is a heavy burden for the baby, due to which the superficial vessels dilate and become more noticeable;
prolonged exposure to altitude leads to a non-pathological decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood;
hypothermia during swimming or changing clothes causes cyanosis of the area above the upper lip. If, after warming up the infant, the blue discoloration disappears, then this condition is not dangerous.

If the baby’s nasolabial triangle turns blue and does not return to its original appearance in the near future, a blue tint appears on the tongue and fingers, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Pathology

Pathological cyanosis is divided into 3 groups depending on its development algorithm.

pneumonia;
airway aspiration;
runny nose;
bronchitis;
bronchial type asthma;
inhalation of tobacco smoke or carbon monoxide;
diaphragmatic hernia.

Pathology of the cardiovascular type. Appears due to congenital heart defects from the first days of a child’s life. Since this diagnosis cannot always be made immediately after birth, it is necessary to regularly attend routine examinations to prevent the development of dangerous complications.

How to distinguish the norm

To analyze the baby’s health status, parents just need to carefully monitor him. If the nasolabial triangle has acquired a blue tint, pathology can be excluded:

with normal growth and development of the child;
in the absence of heart murmurs;
with normal skin color in the area around the mouth and other parts of the body;
in the absence of cough or difficulty breathing, when cyanosis appears;
with a normal pinkish skin tone;
in the absence of a drowsy and lethargic state.

If at least one of the listed points does not coincide with the actual condition of the baby and the area above the upper lip rapidly turns blue, an urgent consultation with a doctor is required.

What do we have to do

If your baby's area above his upper lip turns blue, you need to look at why it appears. If a symptom occurs during bathing and quickly disappears, it does not pose any danger to the baby’s health. If this skin condition persists, you should:

Contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. At your appointment, the doctor may prescribe additional tests to make the correct diagnosis and tell you why the upper lip area turns blue. Among the procedures, the doctor may prescribe: an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound examination of the heart muscle, and an x-ray of the chest area. Also, in some cases, it is necessary to visit a neurologist to conduct a complete examination of the child.
change your lifestyle. It is necessary to maintain optimal temperature and air humidity in the room where the child is. You should go for walks more often, and also soothe the baby when crying. This advice also applies to healthy children, since correct and timely development occurs only in a comfortable environment.
Do massage. Carrying out a daily massage will stimulate the activity of the nervous system, as well as normalize the functioning of the respiratory system. If a foreign body enters the child's respiratory tract, you should carefully and quickly place the baby stomach down on your lap and lightly hit him on the back. If this method does not work, you should urgently call a doctor to prevent the appearance of blue skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle, as well as suffocation.

Cyanosis of the area above the upper lip, giving a blue tint to the baby's skin, is a symptom that must be carefully monitored to prevent pathology. Only timely treatment can eliminate the development of possible dangerous complications.

Often, young parents notice that some areas of the baby’s skin are “the wrong color,” and turn to the pediatrician with the question of why the nasolabial triangle of the baby turns blue. Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle occurs in the vast majority of infants and is usually not a worrying symptom. But sometimes it can still mean a pathology of the cardiovascular or respiratory system or have other serious causes.

What is cyanosis, its types

Cyanosis (blue discoloration) is a sign of a lack of oxygen in the body, as a result of which the production of reduced hemoglobin (methemoglobin) increases. It gives a dark color to the skin or mucous membranes.

If cyanosis is observed in the perioral area, on the hands and feet, this is peripheral cyanosis, or acrocyanosis. It can mean both normal and pathological. More common in. But if the blue discoloration extends to the head, torso, or mucous membranes of the oral cavity, this is central cyanosis, which almost always indicates a pathology of the blood, heart, or lungs. Here you cannot do without the help of a doctor.

The causes of cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle in infants can be either physiological (normal) or a sign of a serious systemic disease.

Physiological

In most children, the nasolabial triangle becomes bluish as a result of increased physical activity.

For a long time. While crying, the child exhales a lot and inhales little, as a result of which the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases slightly, which leads to the blueness of the nasolabial triangle.
At . Sucking at the breast is a serious burden for a newborn, during which the superficial vessels dilate and become more noticeable.
Height . When a child is high above sea level for a long time, the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases slightly, but this is not dangerous.
Hypothermia. If the room is not warm enough when changing clothes, the child may freeze, which will lead to cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. Warm your baby immediately after bathing - if the blue discoloration disappears, it means normal physiological cyanosis.

If the darkening of the nasolabial triangle does not go away for a long time after feeding or when warming up, and is also combined with a blue discoloration of the tongue, nail phalanges of the fingers, toes and other parts of the body, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Pathological

Depending on the mechanism of origin, pathological cyanosis is divided into three main types.

Permanent (central origin). It can be observed after birth trauma, with increased, immaturity of the respiratory or vasomotor center of the brain. The nasolabial triangle in infants often turns blue with such pathologies, in combination with a decrease in the sucking reflex and tension in the large fontanel.
Respiratory (pulmonary) origin. In this case, blueness near the nose and mouth is usually combined with blueness around the eyes and pale skin. Sometimes when breathing, retraction of the intercostal muscles is observed. This condition occurs with bronchitis, bronchial asthma, diaphragmatic hernia, aspiration of the respiratory tract (foreign body entry), inhalation or carbon monoxide, and even with a common runny nose.
Cardiovascular origin. With congenital heart defects (for example, patent oval window of the interatrial septum), the nasolabial triangle of a newborn often turns blue already in the maternity hospital. But due to the nature of the baby’s heart, murmurs cannot always be heard in the first weeks after birth. Therefore, it is so important to go for routine examinations in the first year of a baby’s life in order to promptly identify possible pathologies in the development of the cardiovascular system and other parts of the body.

Normal or pathological?

Before you panic, try to analyze your baby's health by answering the following questions.

Is the child growing and developing normally?
Have any heart murmurs been detected previously?
Is there difficulty breathing during periods of cyanotic nasolabial triangle?
Do other parts of the body turn blue along with the perioral area?
Is the baby active enough, does he get tired too quickly compared to his peers?
Does he experience constant drowsiness and lethargy?
Does he have pale skin?

If at least one item on this list raises even the slightest doubt, you should consult your pediatrician as soon as possible. He will be able to figure out the situation on his own, or he will refer you to a neurologist or cardio-rheumatologist.

Necessary actions

If you observe cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle in your child, first of all you should pay attention to the conditions under which this happens and how quickly it goes away. If a symptom is visible, for example, during bathing, but then quickly passes, then there is nothing to worry about. But if this phenomenon is observed constantly, measures must be taken.

Consult a doctor. At the clinic, you may be prescribed an ECG (electrocardiogram), ECHO (ultrasound examination of the heart), or a chest x-ray. You may be referred to a neurologist for a more extensive examination.
Lifestyle . Support him at home, walk with your baby more often, try to make him cry less often (be more attentive to his comfort). All this must be done even when the child is completely healthy.
Massage . After consulting with a specialist, perform a daily massage - it will help stimulate the nervous system and improve the functioning of the respiratory center.

If a foreign body gets into the child’s respiratory tract, you need to act without delay: place the baby on your knee with his stomach and hit his back several times. The blows must be strong enough, otherwise the foreign body will not move. If this does not help, call an ambulance immediately.

A blue nasolabial triangle in a baby is a symptom that always deserves the attention of parents. Analyze your child's condition and be sure to share your concerns with your doctor. Timely measures taken minimize the consequences of any disease.