6 baby health danger signs you should never ignore

Does that sniffle mean she needs to see a doctor? Should you rush to A&E at the slightest hint of a temperature? Don’t fret! We’re here to help you spot the warning signs

It’s easy to panic when you’ve got a new baby, not one little wheeze or whimper goes unnoticed as you’re watching her every move. Sara Hartley-Milton, mum to Tilly, 12 months says she worried endlessly for the first few months.

‘When Tilly was born, I constantly thought something was wrong. I was terrified of everything – cot death, meningitis – you name it, she had it. One week, I called the doctor six times, all for different worries!

Luckily my GP was really patient with me, and over time, I’ve learned not to panic so much. I still worry about Tilly but I think my judgement is much more balanced now.’

M&B expert Dr Philippa Ridley gets calls from mums like Sara every day. ‘It’s important for new parents to have someone to contact if they’re worried – it’s what we’re here for!’ she says.

‘Fortunately, the vast majority of bugs and illnesses won’t make your baby ill enough to need urgent medical attention, but it’s always good to know what the danger signs are, as babies and young children can develop dangerous symptoms quite rapidly. Here are some common symptoms that you need to look out for.

Fever

A temperature of anything over 37.5°C (99.5°F) is a sign that your baby has a fever and is fighting an infection. If her temperature continues to go up, there’s a chance that she could have a febrile convulsion (see febrile convulsion below), so it’s very important to bring it under control.

‘Keep an eye on her behaviour, too,’ says Philippa. ‘If she has a very high temperature but seems well, you’ve a lot less reason to worry than if it’s 39°C (102°F) and she’s drowsy and unresponsive.’

Call a doctor immediately if your baby:

• Is under three months and has a temperature of over 37.5°C (99.5°F) or seems unwell.
• Has a history of convulsions.
• Seems drowsy, has a rash or breathing difficulties.
• Has a fever for more than three days.

How to help

Bring her temperature down as quickly as possible by taking off layers of clothing and sponging her down with tepid water. Give her infant paracetamol from two months or ibuprofen from six months at the recommended doses.

Rash

Although most rashes are harmless, they should always be examined carefully because in rare cases it can indicate septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can be triggered by bacterial meningitis. Red or brown pin-point spots or large bruises and purplish marks that don’t fade when pressed with the side of a glass are serious signs of bacterial meningitis. Some babies develop the rash before showing other meningitis-related symptoms.

Septicaemia is life-threatening, but it can be cured with strong antibiotics if it’s caught in time, so every second counts.

Call an ambulance if:

Your baby or child has the typical red-purple non fading rash associated with meningitis. For other unexplained rashes, which do fade, consult your doctor.

Febrile convulsion

If your baby’s limbs become stiff or floppy and her body twitches uncontrollably, she may be having a convulsion. You may notice her eyes rolling back, and she could even lose consciousness.

Febrile convulsions, or fits, are most common between the ages of five months and five years and are usually caused by a rapid rise in temperature.

Most fever-induced convulsions last for only 20 seconds and are rarely harmful. But they may be a symptom of another problem, such as meningitis, head injury or epilepsy.

Call an ambulance if:

• This is your baby or child’s first convulsion.
• The convulsion lasts more than four minutes.
• She’s had a recent head injury.
• After the convulsion your baby or child isn’t breathing normally.
• She has other meningitis-related symptoms (see Spotting the danger signs, below).

How to help

If your baby is having a convulsion, clear a space around her so she won’t hurt herself. Loosen her clothing and remove anything in her mouth such as a dummy or food. Don’t restrain her and if she has a fever, try to bring it down quickly (see Fever, above).

Drowsiness

If your baby or child seems unusually lethargic or floppy, especially at times when she’s normally alert, it may be a sign that she’s having difficulty fighting an infection – it should be taken seriously as unusual drowsiness can be a sign of meningitis.

Sometimes, babies can become drowsy if they have suffered a severe bang to the head or are dehydrated, It’s important to get it checked out by a doctor immediately.

Call an ambulance immediately if:

• Your baby or child shows any other symptoms of meningitis (see above).
• She loses consciousness.
• She’s unresponsive and unable to drink.

How to help

If she loses consciousness, put her into the recovery position to keep her airway open – for a baby less than a year old, cradle her in your arms with her head tilted slightly back. For a child, lay her on her side with her top leg bent at the knee and her top arm across her chest with the back of her hand against her cheek (for more first aid tips see page 80-81).

Difficulty breathing

If your baby starts to breathe rapidly or noisily, or seems to be struggling for breath, she may have a respiratory illness such as croup, pneumonia or bronchilitis (all of which can develop after a cold). In severe cases you may notice your baby’s chest drawing in, between and below the ribs.

Difficulty breathing can also be a sign that she’s choking (see our first aid chart on page 80). Severe breathing difficulties may stop her getting enough oxygen into her lungs and she may lose consciousness. This could result in brain damage and heart failure. Always call your doctor if you’re worried about your child’s breathing

Call an ambulance immediately if:

• Your child turns blue.
• She becomes unconscious.

How to help

Try to keep her calm, as panicking will make breathing more difficult. If she has croup or bronchiolitis, run the hot tap in your bathroom to create a steamy atmosphere to help ease her breathing.

Diarrhoea

If your baby has diarrhoea, her bowel movements will be loose and watery. She may also have a fever, vomit, refuse food and suffer from tummy ache before a bowel movement. The most common cause is gastroenteritis (a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract). Diarrhoea can be dangerous because it can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in babies. A dehydrated child will become drowsy and may lose consciousness.

Call a doctor if:

• Your baby is under a year old and has diarrhoea for more than 24 hours.
• She shows signs of becoming dehydrated – infrequent weeing, dark yellow urine, dry lips and skin, sunken eyes and in a baby, a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on the head).
• She passes blood in her stools, this is a sign of severe infection, inflammation or a bowel disorder.

How to help

Encourage her to take regular sips of water, or breastfeed her. Rehydration fluids are available from pharmacies, and they can help babies over three months. Don’t worry if she goes two or three days without being interested in food – fluids are the key.

Spot the danger signs

Contact your GP at once if your baby has any of the following symptoms. If you can’t see him straightaway, call an ambulance.

• Generally off-colour, refusing feeds and vomiting.
• High temperature.
• Stiff neck.
• Dislike of bright lights.
• High-pitched, persistent cry.
• Drowsiness and floppiness.
• A pinprick red or purple rash may appear, which spreads and doesn’t fade when a glass is pressed against it.