A newborn exhibiting cyanosis at rest but becoming pink when crying may be diagnosed with which condition?

The scenario described points toward the diagnosis of choanal atresia. This condition occurs when the nasal passage is obstructed or incompletely formed, leading to difficulty in breathing through the nose. In a newborn with choanal atresia, cyanosis can be more pronounced when they are at rest because breathing through the mouth cannot provide sufficient oxygen. However, when the baby cries, the increased respiratory effort and movement can temporarily alleviate the cyanosis, causing the newborn to become pink again.

This characteristic of exhibiting cyanosis at rest but improving upon crying is a classic indicator of choanal atresia, as the obstruction affects nasal breathing rather than overall cardiac or pulmonary function at rest. The effective transition from cyanosis to a pink appearance during crying supports the notion of an isolated respiratory issue rather than systemic issues like congenital heart defects or significant pulmonary conditions, which would typically cause ongoing cyanosis regardless of activity.