An infant with a cold is now non-responsive and has bradycardia. What should you suspect?

In the scenario described, where an infant who previously had a cold becomes non-responsive and exhibits bradycardia, the most plausible condition to suspect is hypoxia. This condition reflects a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, and in infants, it can arise due to a variety of respiratory infections or conditions that cause airway obstruction.

Given that the infant had a cold, it is possible that the cold has progressed to a more serious respiratory condition, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, which could lead to compromised airway function or diminished gas exchange. This progression can result in inadequate oxygen saturation in the blood, causing the infant to become non-responsive and develop bradycardia as a physiological response to insufficient oxygen levels.

In pediatric patients, bradycardia often signifies hypoxia, as the heart rate typically decreases in response to prolonged oxygen deprivation. Therefore, the symptoms presented in this case strongly suggest that hypoxia is the underlying issue requiring immediate attention. Addressing this situation with appropriate interventions, such as ensuring airway patency and providing supplemental oxygen, is critical to improving the infant's condition.