Cold Sweat in Babies, Beware of the Causes Behind It

Cold sweat, including cold sweat in infants, is not the same as night sweats during sleep. Cold sweat can appear both at night and during the day. Cold sweat in infants can occur because of brain function is not fully developed or it could be due to certain conditions. Cold sweat in infants can appear mainly on several parts of the body such as the soles of the feet, palms, and armpits. Although it seems trivial, but this condition turns out to be a sign of a more serious disease.

Possible Causes of Cold Sweat in Babies

It is important for parents to know the various causes of cold sweat in infants, as well as the signs and symptoms that can accompany it. Below are the various causes of cold sweat in infants to watch out for.

• Shock

In a state of shock, blood pressure drops so low that the body's organs don't receive enough oxygen or blood to function. If not treated immediately, shock can damage organs and be life threatening.

• Sepsis

Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs due to severe bacterial or viral infections in the blood. These severe infections cause damage to the organs of the body that can cause blood to come out of the veins or vice versa, clot, so that it can be life-threatening. In addition to cold sweat in infants, this infection can be accompanied by other symptoms such as seizures, fever, difficulty breathing, and pale.

• Hypoglycemia

This condition occurs when blood sugar, which functions as the baby's main energy, decreases. Hypoglycemia can be caused by premature babies, there are severe infections at birth, small babies, or babies born to mothers with diabetes.

• Lack of oxygen

This condition is called hypoxia, where there is a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues due to certain causes such as shortness of breath. Cold sweat is caused by the body's response to an oxygen-starved brain.

• Congenital Heart Disease

Heart defects or congenital heart defects can cause low blood and oxygen intake to body tissues. One sign is that babies sweat a lot while being fed.

• Baby Room Temperature

Swaddling or blanket that is too restraining the baby can make your baby overheated, this is a risk factor for sudden infant death. Regulating room temperature to stay cool and wearing comfortable, non-stifling sleepwear can help babies not to sweat too much at night. In addition, make sure the baby gets enough fluid to prevent dehydration.

If excessive sweating is alarming, check with your pediatrician to find possible disorders such as heart disease, nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, respiratory disorders, to the overactive thyroid gland. Some babies are more likely to sweat naturally, but you need to be careful if cold sweat on the baby is accompanied by other symptoms such as discoloration of the lips or nails, shortness of breath, dry lips, weakness, refusing to drink, or even stool mixed with blood. If there are other symptoms that accompany cold sweating in the baby, immediately consult your child to the doctor to get treatment continues.