New Delhi: One in a thousand babies are born with a heart defect. It's the called the blue baby syndrome.

Dr Amit Varma of Fortis Healthcare gives his medical advice on the syndrome. Dr. Varma says, "Just last week I got a frantic call from a friend who just had a baby.

Over the past couple of days she had noticed that her baby's fingers and toes were turning blue. I advised her to see a paediatrician immediately, because Blue skin in babies could mean a heart defect."

Bluish skin means lungs aren't getting enough oxygen. This could be due to genetic reasons, or even something lacking in the mother's diet. It could also be the symptom of a congenital heart defect or a heart abnormality. One in a thousand babies are born with some sort of heart defect.

Seek immediate medical attention if your baby develops a bluish cast over the entire body. The most common problem that is found is a hole in the heart or improper blood vessels.

All it takes is for a cardiologist to conduct a simple non-invasive ultrasound to rule out a heart defect. In case there is a defect, the first option is usually surgery. But It's important to remember that the sooner the diagnosis, the better for your baby.

You don't need to worry if your baby's hands and feet turn blue for a short period of time when the rest of the body is pink.

This is merely your baby's immature circulatory system at work. But either way, a trip to your paediatrician is a must. And by the way, my friend's baby is doing just fine!