Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Cyanosis is a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. This condition, often referred to as "blue baby syndrome" in infants, typically indicates that the circulating blood is not sufficiently oxygenated.123

Cyanosis can be a symptom of various underlying issues, most notably congenital heart disease. In cases of cyanotic cardiovascular abnormalities, surgical interventions, such as those developed for "blue babies," have significantly improved survival rates. Another cause can be sulfhemoglobinemia, a condition where sulfur binds abnormally to hemoglobin, preventing it from transporting oxygen.345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.