16 month old child's skin changes color about the time he starts walking, is this life threatening?

Question

16 month old who started walking about 3 months ago. At this time we noticed that his skin would change color.The area around his mouth and nose would be a bluish-gray and the rest of him would be pink. Or his head and neck and his legs from the knees down and feet would turn purple while the rest of him would be pink. Or his whole body would turn a bluish-gray color. Or all or half of his tongue would turn blue. Sometimes his lips turn blue. He is a happy child and almost never cries.The doctors don't have a clue as to why he changes color. One doctor says that it is normal for light skinned toddlers to turn blue where his primary care doctor is baffled. He also sweats with exertion and in his sleep. An electrocardiogram was done and showed that there was a pulmonary murmur, other than this everything is normal. Is there anyone out there who has experienced something like this in a child? What did you do? Where did you go for help? Is this life threatening? Did you get a diagnoses?

Debcee · Accepted Answer

You really need to see a pediatric cardiologist or pulmonary specialist. This is not normal. Oxygen deprivation or a circulatory problem. At any rate you know your child better than anybody. It never hurts to get second opinions. I don't believe that it is normal for light skinned toddlers. Never heard such a thing. Demand that your childs doctor gives you a referral to a specialist. Primary care physicians and pediatricians are not specialized in these areas. This needs immediate attention. Good Luck to you and your son. God Bless

violettelillyrose81 · Answer

Wow, well I would definitely keep an eye on him. Watch him as much as possible. Though if he turns color while hes up and about have him tested for asthma. Though turning blue is signifying lack of oxygen to the limbs. Keep having him checked ask for a specialist be for it gets much worse, demand a specialist. There has to be something that can be done. Whatever they say, take the older drugs, don't let your baby be used as a Guinna pig for their new drugs. Use the old ones that the side effects are know. If your into the metaphysical try finding a witchdoctor! Good luck and happy times with your baby!

Muriel V · Answer

My best friend's son had a problem like this as a child... his lips are lips area would turn blue/gray after playing or running... it turned out to be due to a heart condition (in his case a minor heart condition). He's 18 today and has no more problems

This is not a "normal" thing for light skinned toddlers... you should seek another opinion.

I wish you the best

Barb · Answer

i don't know the answer for this and never heard of anything like this.  i know when someone is choking they start to turn blue, which is lack of oxygen.  it seems to me he is lacking oxygen in his blood or his blood is not being pumped thru his body properly.  this is definitely not normal and a huge concern.  can you add some more info to this.  does he have any obvious breathing problems like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath?  does he snore and seem tired allot......if so maybe check out the possibility of sleep apnia.  insist on seeing a specialist now!  see numerous doctors if you have to. if a doctor tells you he is baffled or has no idea ....... on to the next doctor.you need to find answers to this problem.
gl hope all is well.

Annie Hightower · Answer

Please get another opinion. Blue/gray skin means lack of oxygen! You and everyone else knows that's not good. You're the parents and spend more time with him than the doctors. It's important to follow your instincts and get him help. If people blow you off go to yet another doctor. You don't want to look back and wish you had tried to get your child help.

I wish you the best.

Anonymous · Answer

I would go w/ the doctor who said this was a normal occurence...he seems to have some experience in this area...talk to him...ask him about it...ask him where he got his information...and if he knows anything more about it...do the leg work...(no pun intended)...you have a lead now follow up on it...ask the doctor what the technical term for this condition is called...then find out why it exists and what can be done through internet searches...gl...

gyrl6 · Answer

i would take him to a cardiologist because it sounds like he's having a problem with the blood being pumped through his system.  dont let them just say, i dont know and i'm baffled. get another opinion. i've never heard of anything like this before and i dont think blue is normal. good luck.

Dianna · Answer

I would take him to a pulmonary specialist, if it was me. It sounds like a oxygen difeciency to me and I would have his lungs checked.

Anonymous · Answer

It's proably because he learned how to hold his breath for 30 min.

jard jard binx · Answer

i don't have the answer to this, but i wish your baby well.

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16 month old child's skin changes color about the time he starts walking, is this life threatening?

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