Meningitis is the medical term for an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection in most cases, but some medications and complications from illnesses also cause meningitis. KidsHealth.org suggests bacterial meningitis is rare but life-threatening when treatment is not administered right away. Viral meningitis is more common and much less serious.
Irritability
An infant's mood can be an indicator of meningitis. The discomfort from the inflammation can cause the baby to be extremely irritable and inconsolable. Rocking or moving the baby worsens the pain and causes the baby to cry even more.
Stiffness
Stiffness of the body and neck, called neck rigidity, are characteristic symptoms of meningitis. The stiffness is due to the swelling that makes movement difficult or extremely painful.
Jaundice
Infants may develop jaundice with meningitis. This can be recognized when the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellowish.
Lower Than Normal Body Temperature
KIdsHealth.org says an infant may have a lower than normal temperature. Ice-cold hands and feet may be an earlier sign of serious infection that's not necessarily meningitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. A high fever is more common in meningitis cases, especially in children. It's possible for an infant to have a high temperature.
Little to No Appetite
An infant can have trouble eating due to meningitis. The suck may be too weak to encourage milk flow from a bottle or the breast. The infant may have a poor appetite due to feeling ill as well. The Mayo Clinic suggests vomiting and abdominal upset may also interfere with the infant's appetite.
Higher-Pitched Cries
An infant's cry is quite distinct with meningitis. It's often higher pitched than normal. The infant may have trouble holding eye contact or looking toward sounds as it normally would.
Bulging Soft Spot
An infant's soft spot on the top section of the head will bulge due to the swelling of brain tissues.
Runny Nose
A runny nose often accompanies the other symptoms of viral meningitis. There may also be some nasal congestion.
Fatigue
When the baby isn't crying, he's likely to be very still or asleep. Fatigue and lethargy are common symptoms of meningitis, according to DrGreene.com. The infant may be difficult to wake.
Petechiae
DrGreene.com describes petechiae as a rash of purple spots on the body. This is a very serious sign of meningitis and indicates the infection may be spreading.
