Pneumonia is a serious disease in children, which can be fatal if not detected early and treated properly. Especially, the signs of pneumonia in newborns are faint, sometimes easily confused with other respiratory diseases leading to hospitalization for treatment when the disease has become worse. So being aware of pneumonia and preventing it is something parents should keep in mind.

Why are infants susceptible to pneumonia?

According to world statistics, 1 million children die from pneumonia. Complicated pneumonia may cause respiratory failure requiring oxygen. In the case of pneumonia is not detected early, the complications are complicated, prolong the treatment period of children and in severe cases, mechanical ventilation will be required.

The cause of neonatal pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria in 60% of cases. Lung infections can occur before, during, or after delivery, relative to the time of rupture of membranes before delivery. Babies can also get sick at birth by breathing in infected amniotic fluid, meconium or genital secretions from the mother. In addition, in premature babies, children who are underweight due to incomplete esophageal reflections, irregular motor movement, and frequent gastric esophageal reflux. When breastfed babies often vomit, reflux, if milk is mistakenly inhaled into the trachea, it will cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, shortness of breath, pale face, the amount of milk inhaled as much as possible causing pneumonia . Some diseases such as inflammation of the oral cavity, dermatitis, umbilical cord infection ... can all lead to neonatal pneumonia.

Early detection and taking children to the hospital is the first thing parents need to pay attention to.

Signs of pneumonia in newborns

According to a pediatrician, parents often do not detect early symptoms of pneumonia in infants. The disease usually appears early, after birth from 12 hours to a few days, proceed quickly and seriously. Unlike pneumonia in older children with the typical manifestations of high fever, coughing a lot, hearing the back can see a "whooping" sound. For infants whose respiratory tract is not fully developed, clinical symptoms are often not easily apparent.

Symptoms of early pneumonia in newborn infants often include signs such as: poor feeding or breastfeeding; Fever above 37.5oC or hypothermia; Breathe faster than 60 times in 1 minute or have trouble breathing When there are clear symptoms, the disease is already severe: Child has fever or hypothermia, dysplasia, poor response to stimulation, poor or abstention feeding, excessive vomiting, abdominal distention, shortness of breath, concave withdrawal, cyanosis ... Therefore, parents or relatives need to pay attention to the child's condition to early detect the first signs when the child shows signs of abstention, rapid breathing ... to be examined and treated promptly to avoid serious pneumonia complications.

Typical signs of pneumonia are cough, mild fever and rapid breathing.

How to prevent pneumonia in newborns?

During pregnancy, pregnant women should have regular pregnancy check-ups to detect and intervene in time when fetal abnormalities occur; Give birth at health facilities to ensure safety for pregnant women and babies. Need good care for mothers and babies after birth. Breastfeed your baby completely and properly to increase the resistance for the baby. To keep children clean, caregivers must wash their hands with soap before and after taking care of children to prevent them from becoming infected with bacteria. Tools to care for children such as cups, spoons, blankets, shirts, diapers ... must be clean, dry, sterile, to avoid contact with sources of infection ...

In addition, children should not lie in very cold temperatures, bathe in drafts. As soon as children show signs of cough, fever, rapid breathing ... they should be taken to the pediatric establishments and hospitals for the right examination and treatment. Parents should breastfeed their babies completely, have regular nose drops, fully immunize according to the doctor's appointment, and especially do not buy medicines at the pharmacy to treat children.

Keynote activities of Pediatrics Department at City International Hospital 

  • Neonatal Pediatrics: Prenatal Diagnosis for Congenital Malformations and Genetic Disorders, Pre-discharge screening, Schedule Follow-up Visits and Immunizations to Stay on Track.
  • General pediatrics: General examination and Vaccination, treatment of common childhood illnesses.
  • Pediatric Specialties: Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, Cardiology, Pulmonology.
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine and intensive care: respiratory failure, circulatory failure, neurological resuscitation ...
  • Using Healthcare Technology to Support Quality of Treatment: Hemofiltration, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Color Doppler Ultrasound, Bedside Radiography, Electrophysiology, Pediatric Electrocardiography, and Pediatric Physiotherapy.
  • Medical and surgical treatment of congenital health problems in children.
  • Antenatal counselling for fetus congenital malformations, particularly the urinary system and the digestive tract. Parents are instructed what to do..
  • Pediatric surgery: abdominal surgery, Urologic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and future thoracic and cardiac surgery .
  • Surgical treatment of intestinal obstruction and disorders atrophy of the vitelline duct, intestinal obstruction, Neonatal bowel obstruction.
  • Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal non-urgent defects, such as Hirsch sprung disease, atrophy of bile duct, bile duct cysts....
  • Consultations and treatments for all diseases and disorders of the urinary tract, child genitalia such as circumcision, inguinal hernia, esophagus, hidden testis, low urinary retention, water retention and other sexual dysfunction in men and women, cases of gender ambiguity.

Clinic Hours - City International Hospital (CIH)

Office-hours visits:

  • Pediatric clinic is open from Monday to Saturday. Morning hours: 7:00  am - 12:00 pm. Afternoon hours: 1:00 pm - 4:30pm.
  • Schedule an appointment: (028) 6280 3333. press 0 and talk to the operator.

After-hours visits: Please visit our Emergency Department for examination

  • Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
  • Emergency call (028) 6290 1155.

For any further information about medical services provided by City International Hospital,  please contact: 

  • Address: No. 3, 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan Dist. (Next to AEON Mall Binh Tan). Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Operator: (+8428) 6280 3333, ext. 0
  • 24/7 Emergency: (+8428) 6290 1155
  • Website: https://cih.com.vn/en/
  • Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/BenhVienQuocTeCity/
  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General disclaimer

 Always consult your doctor regarding any concern about your health. Your doctor will be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice. For suspected undesirable drug reaction and seek medical attention immediately.