[nbutler23]

Can unborn babies contract pnuemonia and if so how?

[J_9]

No, they can't. Why do you ask?

[N0help4u]

If the mother has it. My son was born with upper respiratory infection and I had bronchitis. See your doctor.

[J_9]

If the mother has it. My son was born with upper respiratory infection and I had bronchitis. See your doctor.

I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way.

[J_9]

An unborn baby cannot have pneumonia. It's not possible as the lungs do not work in a fetus the same way they work with us who have been born.

The fetal lungs are filled with amniotic fluid until it is squeezed out during the birth.

[nbutler23]

No, they can't. Why do you ask?

Have been told by a close relative that there unborn child that was born at 22 weeks and lived for 7 minutes died of pnuemonia and I have never heard of it so just wanted it queried the mother never had pnuemonia while she was pregnant so just couldn't figure it

[J_9]

The age of viability is 24 weeks. Pneumonia cannot be diagnosed at 22 weeks because the lungs are not yet developed at that stage of gestation.

Age of viability means that it is near impossible to keep a baby alive at a gestational age of less than 24 weeks (in layman's terms).

What had most likely happened was that the baby suffered respiratory distress syndrome because it did not have lungs at that point, only what is called "lung buds" in the medical community.

[N0help4u]

This is what I always thought.
Neonatal Pneumonia is the infection of the alveoli (air sacks) of the newborn lungs. It usually occurs in premature infants, babies born with congenital conditions of the respiratory system, and neonates with immune defects which make them prone to infections. It is most commonly due to virus, and bacteria
https://www.healthtap.com/user_questions/248281

I know my son was not released from the hospital right away due to his respiratory infection. As soon as he was born it was noticeable.

[J_9]

You may have had GBS, Group Beta Strep, that was not tested for as regularly back when you had your son.

Trust me, this is my profession. I know this so very well, I could answer questions in my sleep.

[N0help4u]

Thank you J_9
That is why I ask because I know you have answers

[nbutler23]

OK thank you for your feedback has been very helpful the mother was a smoker, drinker and recreational drug user and has said that the post mortem has come back and said bubs died cause of pnuemonia but with what you have said it doesn't make sense