Cyanosis natural history, complications and prognosis

Central cyanosis in the first hours or days of life in the neonate may happen and implies life-threatening conditions such as congenital cardiac abnormalities , airway obstruction , central nervous system problem, hemoglobinopathy. Peripheral cyanosis may happen in neonate called acrocyanosis. If the underlying causes of cyanosis are found and treated, the prognosis is generally good.

• The symptoms of neonatal cyanosis usually develop in the first hours or days of life.^[1]
• Acrocyanosis or peripheral cyanosis is a physiologic finding limited to extremities and caused by slowing flow through the peripheral capillary bed and large difference between arteriovenous oxygen content.
• The symptoms of central cyanosis is presentation as bluish of mucous membranes and tongue.
• Early clinical features related to central cyanosis include severe respiratory distress, tachycardia, tachypnea, apnea and need to immediate evaluation.
• Central cyanosis implies life-threatening condition in neonate such as congenital cardiac abnormalities , airway obstruction , central nerve system problem, hemoglobinopathy.

• Common complications of the underlying causes of central cyanosis in neonate include airway obstruction, hyporventilation due to CNS disease or apnea and circulatory collapse.

• Prognosis is generally good and dependent on the diagnosis and treatment of underlying causes.
• The 10-year survival rate of children with severe congenital heart disease is approximately 90%.