Danger Signs in Babies

Dr. Parang Mehta, MD.

Babies in the first few days of life are a very vulnerable population. They have poor immunity to infections, their organs and systems are often not fully mature, and they have to cope with the change from the protected life in the uterus to the outside world.

Illnesses in babies progress very rapidly. A baby that shows a small variation from normal may be seriously ill a few hours later. With babies, waiting is not a wise policy. If your baby seems unwell, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Danger Signs

Fever over 100.4 F.
Decreased alertness.
Redness around umbilical cord, or pus like liquid oozing out.
Weight loss more than a tenth of birth weight.
Sunken fontanelle (the soft places on the head of baby).
Infrequent urine passage (3 or less wet diapers a day).
Fast breathing - 60 times per minute or more.
Deep Jaundice - yellow colour of the skin on the abdomen requires an immediate evaluation with a pediatrician.

Last revision: September 16, 2011

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Danger Signs in Babies

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