As a medical professional with expertise in pediatric health, I can provide you with an accurate description of what a "blue baby" refers to.

A "blue baby" is a term historically used to describe a newborn infant who appears blue due to a lack of oxygen in their blood. This condition is medically known as cyanosis. There are several medical conditions that can lead to a baby being born with cyanosis, but one of the most common causes is congenital heart disease, where the heart's structure is not properly formed, leading to inefficient oxygen circulation. Another cause could be a group of disorders collectively known as "persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn" (PPHN), where the blood vessels in the lungs that bypass the lungs and go directly to the rest of the body after birth do not close properly.

In modern medical practice, "blue baby" is less commonly used as a diagnostic term, and healthcare providers will typically refer to the specific underlying condition causing the cyanosis.

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Blue baby: A baby who is cyanotic (blue), due usually to a heart malformation that prevents the baby's blood from being fully oxygenated. The bluish color reflects the deoxygenated state of the blood. (Oxygenated blood is red.)read more >>