Meningitis is a serious infection that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Meningitis affects the meninges, the lining of the spinal cord and brain, and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds them. Meningitis can be difficult to diagnose in infants, because their symptoms may not be as obvious as those found in adults with the disease.
Vital Signs
If there is fever in a young infant, it may be a sign of meningitis and warrants immediate investigation, though a fever might not always be present in all meningitis cases of newborns. A subnormal temperature may also be a sign of infection in the very young infant. An infant with meningitis may have a rapid heartbeat or rapid breathing, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Behavioral Changes
Infants with meningitis may be lethargic; they may eat poorly or not at all, have poor muscle tone and appear sick. The infant may prefer to be left alone and may become irritable if picked up or disturbed. Conversely, an infant may be very irritable, crying constantly and seemingly being unable to be consoled.
Physical Signs
The fontanel, the soft spot at the top of a baby's head, is normally flat. A fontanel that's tense or bulging is a sign of increased pressure in the brain. According to the AAFP, this is a late sign of meningitis in young infants. Seizures may also occur. Infants with meningitis may be very reluctant to move their heads or have nuchal (neck) rigidity, but according to the AAFP, this is not a common sign of meningitis in very young infants.
Rash in the form of petechiae (small red dots on the skin) purpura (larger purplish spots on the skin) or other types of rash may occur in children with meningitis, according to Pediatric Care Online. Vomiting or diarrhea can be a sign of meningitis and young infants, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The infant may also appear jaundiced, with a yellowish tinge to the skin and whites of the eyes, according to the AAFP.
