Having a sick baby or toddler can be scary. Is it just a minor illness like a cold or is it something more serious? You don’t want to delay seeing the doctor if your child needs medical attention, but you don’t want to worry too much.
The following list shows the signs and symptoms that absolutely needs medical attention. If your baby or toddler has any of these, see your pediatrician or the emergency room.
- Your baby or toddler looks blue around the lips; sometimes it is more of a dark color than blue. This needs immediate attention.
- Your baby or toddler is sleepy and “not with him” when he is awake. This includes if your baby or toddler is not fully responding. This needs immediate attention. However, I am not referring to deep sleep or simply waking up from sleep.
- Your baby or toddler feels cold to the touch and when you press on the breastbone for 5 seconds until the skin turns pale and then comes loose, the color does not return within 3 seconds. This needs immediate attention.
- Your baby or toddler has trouble breathing. You may notice that the ribs stick out with each breath. You should seek help if this does not improve or does not resolve in about an hour.
- Your baby or toddler is vomiting bright green bile. This suggests a blockage in the intestine. This needs urgent attention.
- Your baby or toddler passes a red currant jelly stool, especially if there have been crying spells beforehand. This could be an intussusception. This needs urgent attention.
- Your baby or toddler has a fever for 5 days or more and is unwell and generally miserable; Your child should be checked by a doctor for signs of Kawasaki disease. Seek help within 24 hours.
- Your baby or toddler is no longer doing tasks that they previously learned. For example, your baby is no longer able to sit or stand when he had been doing so previously. I’m not talking about the day-to-day, but rather a trend over time that your child seems to be regressing rather than progressing.
- Your baby or toddler is losing weight. I’m not talking about a small decrease on one occasion, but rather a general trend over time in which your baby or toddler is not gaining weight or is actually losing weight.
- You are concerned that your baby or toddler is sick; you are the best judge because you know your child. If you are very concerned, it is best to seek medical advice.
These are worrisome signs and symptoms. If your baby or your child has any of them, they should undergo a medical check-up; some need a more urgent review than others and that is listed above Seek medical attention.