Decreased alertness in a baby or child
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Decreased alertness in a baby or child
Decreased alertness refers to a noticeable change in a child's typical interactions with the people and things around the child. Decreased alertness may indicate a serious health problem and may include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty waking up
- Limpness or weak muscle tone. A child over 3 months of age may not move for an extended period of time and show no desire to move.
- A weak or feeble cry
- Unresponsiveness to touch or voice
- Inability to suck for two or more feedings in a row
- A vacant stare. Children over 3 months of age may not make eye contact.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Last Updated | August 1, 2008 |
| Last updated: | August 01, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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