Final answer:
Infants with gastrointestinal disturbances related to resuscitation may show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain. The presence of meconium in an infant's first breath post-resuscitation can lead to complications like reduced lung function and increased infection risk. Clinical and laboratory evaluations are integral to assessing the severity of the condition and its potential implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Infants who experience gastrointestinal abnormalities related to resuscitation may present with clinical signs such as excessive vomiting (emesis) and diarrhea, typically without blood present in the stool. They may also experience abdominal pain and cramping and often suffer from severe dehydration. To formulate a differential diagnosis, healthcare providers must consider various conditions that could cause such symptoms, including infections like gastroenteritis. The surge in acute gastroenteritis-like cases, as illustrated by the situation in western Florida, is indicative of a possible outbreak that could have a communal origin such as a contaminated water supply or a viral epidemic.
Specific to infants, the newborn's first breath can present challenges, for instance, aspiration of meconium which might result in labored breathing, a barrel-shaped chest, or a low Apgar score, indicating the need for resuscitation. Meconium aspiration can be confirmed by clinical assessments like auscultation for coarse rattling sounds, blood gas tests, and chest X-rays. Future complications from meconium aspiration could include alveolar collapse, pulmonary inflammation, hypertension, and increased susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia. Comprehensive management must include monitoring for signs of other potential abnormalities such as temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, hypotension, feeding difficulties, irritability, limpness, seizures, and other manifestations suggestive of severe underlying disturbances.