Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Baby To Bleed From Ears, Nose And Mouth During Breastfeeding?
Someone I know has an 18 day old baby. Yesterday morning she woke up to breast feed him. She was sitting on the couch and fell asleep while still feeding. When she woke up the baby was cold, not breathing and had blood coming from his ears, nose and mouth. Currently he is in ICU and isn t doing well at all. Could this be intentional or is there a medical reason this could happen? Could this be Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Thu, 28 May 2020
Hi,
It is quite unlikely for a medical condition to cause the said symptoms all of a sudden in a previously well baby. There are blood disorders that rarely can cause spontaneous bleeding from nose and mouth, but bleeding from ear is not expected here, and this strongly suggests a traumatic cause.
The only possible cause for bleeding from ear, nose and mouth is a significant head injury with skull base fracture. Head injury or significant bleeding can cause apnea and cold skin. The treating doctor will discuss more details, as this needs to be interpreted on a back ground of examination findings, blood investigations and brain imaging.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammed Aslam T. K., Pediatrician
It is quite unlikely for a medical condition to cause the said symptoms all of a sudden in a previously well baby. There are blood disorders that rarely can cause spontaneous bleeding from nose and mouth, but bleeding from ear is not expected here, and this strongly suggests a traumatic cause.
The only possible cause for bleeding from ear, nose and mouth is a significant head injury with skull base fracture. Head injury or significant bleeding can cause apnea and cold skin. The treating doctor will discuss more details, as this needs to be interpreted on a back ground of examination findings, blood investigations and brain imaging.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Muhammed Aslam T. K., Pediatrician
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Breastfeeding
Loading Online Doctors....