Newborns: Subtle Symptoms of Illness
A newborn is a baby less than 1 month old. He or she mainly eats, sleeps, cries a little, and needs a lot of love and his or her diapers changed frequently. If a newborn is ill, the symptoms can be subtle. Also, an ill newborn can very quickly get much sicker. If a newborn is sick at all, the illness can be serious.
When should I call my child's healthcare provider
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
- Your baby is less than 1 month old and sick in any way (for example, with a cough or diarrhea) or has any of the following symptoms:
- Poor feeding behavior or a sudden change in feeding behavior (has to be repeatedly awakened to feed or can't stay awake for feedings)
- Has a poor suck or inability to sustain sucking
- Sweats during feedings
- Sleeps excessively--for instance, past feeding times.
- Cries excessively
- Unusual crying, moaning, grunting
- Change in muscle tone (weak or limp)
- Decreased activity or movement
- Change in color (pale, bluish or grey)
- Your newborn sleeps excessively—for instance, past feeding times.
- Your newborn cries excessively.
- Your newborn develops a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) measured rectally, or over 99°F (37.2°C) measured in the armpit. *
- Your newborn's temperature drops below 96.8°F (36°C) measured rectally, or 95.4°F (35.5°C) measured in the armpit. *
- You have other urgent questions.
* In general, do not take an infant's temperature unless he or she feels hot or looks sick.
Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, author of “My Child Is Sickâ€, American Academy of Pediatrics Books.
Pediatric Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2009-06-19
Last reviewed: 2011-06-06
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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