Medical Reasons for Lethargy
- Sepsis Sepsis is a life-threatening disease caused by your immune system going into overdrive to protect you from many illnesses and infections. ...
- Metabolic Disorders When a baby has metabolic disorders, the body cannot break down the food properly, which leads to the body having too much or too little of certain substances. ...
- Hypoglycemia It may be the sole cause of lethargy. ...
What is the cause of lethargy in children?
Fever is a common cause of lethargy in children, therefore whenever you feel your child is lethargic, immediately check the feverwith thermometer.
Is it normal for a newborn to be lethargic all the time?
“Typically your baby only gets true lethargy when they’re sick or if their hormone levels are off, but that’s more commonly found in the newborn stage,” says Posner. You should also call the pediatrician if unusual sleepiness lasts for a while, or is accompanied by a fever or other signs of illness.
What are the signs and symptoms of lethargy in babies?
Babies or young children can also experience lethargy. Symptoms in babies that may need immediate medical attention include: dehydration symptoms, such as crying without tears, dry mouth, or few wet diapers How is lethargy diagnosed? Your doctor will usually take a full medical history to discuss any of your previous medical conditions.
What does it mean when a baby is limp and lethargic?
Normally, a baby will be easy to rouse and will act upset at being awoken, but a lethargic baby doesn't even have the energy to really cry. A baby who is limp and lethargic is seriously sick.
When should I worry about my baby being lethargic?
Being lethargic, in medical terms, is usually an emergency and means your child is difficult to wake up. It does not mean that a child's activity is just a little decreased. If your child is really lethargic and difficult to wake up, then you should seek medical attention right away.
What does lethargic mean in a baby?
Lethargic or listless babies appear to have little or no energy. They are drowsy or sluggish. They may also sleep longer than usual. They may be hard to wake for feedings and even when awake, are not alert or attentive to sounds and visual cues.
What are the danger signs in newborn?
Neonatal danger signs are signs that sick neonates show as stated by World Health Organization (WHO), which include not able to feed, or stopped feeding well, convulsed or fitted since birth, fast breathing (two counts of 60 breaths or more in one minute), chest in drawing, high temperature (37.5°C or more), very low ...
What does lethargy look like in newborns?
Listlessness or lethargy Lethargic or listless babies appear to have little or no energy. They are drowsy or sluggish. They may also sleep longer than usual. They may be hard to wake for feedings and even when awake, are not alert or attentive to sounds and visual cues.
Is lethargic serious?
It is a state of being exhausted, with little to no energy, and it tends to linger. In some cases, lethargy may be due to certain life situations and lifestyle habits, but it can also be a symptom of certain diseases and health conditions. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
What are five signs that a baby may be ill?
A sick child may:be fretful or listless, or irritable when disturbed.cry readily and not be easily comforted.lose interest in playing or is unusually quiet and inactive.be unusually quiet and inactive.not want to eat.feel hot to touch.look tired and flushed or pale.complain of feeling cold.
What are signs of distress in a baby?
The most common signs of fetal distress are: Changes in the fetal heart rate (lower or higher rate than normal). The fetus moves less for an extended period of time. Low amniotic fluid.
What is the most common reason for newborn distress?
The most common etiology of neonatal respiratory distress is transient tachypnea of the newborn; this is triggered by excessive lung fluid, and symptoms usually resolve spontaneously. Respiratory distress syndrome can occur in premature infants as a result of surfactant deficiency and underdeveloped lung anatomy.
How do I wake my newborn up from lethargy?
Pick your baby up, talk to them, move their arms and legs around, even tickle the bottom of their feet or rub their cheek—whatever works to rouse them.
Why is my child acting lethargic?
Some common medical problems associated with malaise and fatigue include pneumonia, mononucleosis, the flu, Lyme disease, sleep apnea, blood disorders, congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, and diabetes. Psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety also can cause malaise and fatigue.
What are signs of lethargy?
Lethargy can refer to feelings of fatigue as well as a lack of mental or physical motivation. It can be a sign of a health condition....What are the symptoms of lethargy?changes in mood.decreased alertness or decreased ability to think.fatigue.low energy.sluggishness.
How do you wake up a lethargic baby?
Pick your baby up, talk to them, move their arms and legs around, even tickle the bottom of their feet or rub their cheek—whatever works to rouse them.
How do you wake a baby up from lethargy?
Touch your baby: Ease your child out of their sleepy state by tickling their feet or gently rubbing their arms, legs, and back. Talk to your child: Just hearing your voice might be enough to wake your baby. Unwrap your baby: Remove your child's blankets and even undress them so that they aren't so warm and comfortable.
Why is my newborn not sleeping?
Managing a newborn’s sleep is one of the most challenging tasks of looking after a newborn. Newly-born babies are not accustomed to schedules or the rhythms of a typical day. For this reason, they might not sleep at the appropriate times. Some people may worry that the baby is sleeping too little or too much.
What to do if stroking cheek fails?
So if stroking the cheek fails, try gently wiggling the baby’s toes or gently stroking the bottom of their feet. Food needs vary from baby-to-baby. Parents should consult a pediatrician or breast-feeding expert, who can offer individual advice based on the needs and development of the baby.
How often should a newborn eat?
Most newborns should eat every 2-3 hours (or 8-12 times every 24 hours), or more if a pediatrician recommends so or the baby is not gaining enough weight. Feeding a newborn whenever the baby shows hunger cues, such as rooting, sucking, or sticking out their tongue, is the best way to ensure the baby gets enough food.
What does it mean when a baby has yellow eyes?
A newborn who has jaundice will have a yellow color to their skin and a yellow cast to the whites of their eyes. Other signs of more severe jaundice include: Babies who do not eat enough can become dehydrated, lose too much weight, and even suffer from a failure to thrive.
How to know if your baby is sleeping too much?
Signs of sleeping too much. Waking for feeding. What to do. When to see a doctor. Takeaway. Most newborns spend more time sleeping than they do awake, though the sleep may happen in small chunks or on an irregular schedule. Managing a newborn’s sleep is one of the most challenging tasks of looking after a newborn.
What to do if baby is breathing loudly?
If a baby is breathing loudly or gasping for air, they should see a doctor. When in doubt, see a doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose for sure the reason why a newborn is sleeping too much. In many cases, a pediatrician may be able to assess the problem over the phone.
How long can a baby go without eating?
But those younger than 1 month or so may not wake up when they feel hungry. Babies younger than 4 weeks should not go longer than 4 to 5 hours without food. To wake a baby to eat, try brushing the side of their cheek. This can trigger the rooting reflex.
Symptoms and tips for finding lethargy
Lethargy can cause your little one to feel sluggish or very sleepy. You, as a parent, especially a first-time parent, might find it challenging to find out the solution to your baby’s problem.
Medical Reasons for Lethargy
While lethargy in itself is a severe condition, which is enough to worry you as a parent, it can also be one of the symptoms of many life-threatening diseases. There are quite several severe medical conditions that require instant attention from a doctor. Some of them as follows:
More Tips for Avoiding Lethargy
By now, you know how to recognize lethargy in your baby and what symptoms constitute it. So, if you can realize that your baby is just lazy, you can do some easy steps to make them active and lively again. It would help if you took care of their drinking and eating habits to make sure they are well hydrated.
Behavioral changes that may occur along with lethargy
While lethargy can transform into a difficult medical situation, it might not always be what is troubling your little one or the reason for their being so inactive. Your little one might be going through other problems. For which the subtle signs are not as harsh as mentioned in the beginning. Some of them are as follows:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The sleepy baby syndrome, also known as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), is when a baby 12 months or younger dies during sleep with no warning signs or a clear reason. SIDS is associated with defects in a portion of an infant’s brain. Usually, the baby is affected by the incorrect sleeping environment.
To Summarize
The inactivity of a baby is often confused by parents as their child is lethargic. Lethargy is a severe medical condition where if your little one is sleeping the whole day, is sluggish, not wake up or respond, you need to pay a visit to your doctor as soon as possible. Other severe symptoms might include vomiting or dizziness.
Why do psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants?
For example, they may prescribe antidepressants if your lethargy is caused by depression or another mental health disorder.
What to do if you are lethargy?
Any noticeable, marked changes in behavior accompanied by lethargy are often cause for concern. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience thoughts of harming yourself along with lethargy. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.
What is the purpose of blood tests for thyroid?
For example, if your doctor thinks you may have a thyroid disorder, they may order blood tests to determine if your thyroid hormones are high or low.
How to know if you are lethargy?
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience lethargy along with the following symptoms: chest pain. unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness. inability to move your limbs on one side of your body. disorientation, such as not knowing your name, the date, or your location. fast heart rate.
What causes lethargy in the body?
This includes the flu or a stomach virus. Other physical or medical conditions can also cause lethargy, such as: carbon monoxide poisoning. dehydration. fever. hyperthyroidism. hypothyroidism. hydrocephalus or brain swelling.
What type of imaging is needed for a brain injury?
Your doctor may order imaging studies, such as a CT or MRI scan, if they suspect the cause is brain-related, such as a head injury, stroke, or meningitis.
What are the side effects of a swollen neck gland?
difficulty tolerating hot or cold temperatures. eye irritation. fatigue that lasts longer than two weeks. feelings of sadness or irritability. swollen neck glands. unexplained weight gain or loss.
Why do toddlers complain about being tired?
Sleep problems, chronic illness, anemia, acute illnesses, head injury are some of the serious causes of lethargy in toddlers. You may see your child complaining about hundred times a day of how tired he/she is. Most of the times, there is nothing serious and the reasons are pretty simple. Your child may be complaining because he/she may have had ...
What causes sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea that happen during sleep. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids are the most common causes for this. However, these are not the only two causes and there are other causes as well.
Why is my toddler lethargic?
One of the most common reasons why your child may be lethargic is a head injury. You should keep an eye on your child if he/she has recently fallen down and then consequently developed the lethargy symptoms in the few minutes afterwards.
Why is my toddler tired?
Acute illnesses. A number of diseases can cause a child to be tired. For instance, upper respiratory infections including colds, or ear, throat or sinus infections can make your little one tired. However, the fatigue will go away once the infection clears.
How much sleep do kids need?
Children need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night and staying up for late for any reason can really mess it up.
What to talk to a toddler about?
If your child goes through this situation and is grown up, you should talk to him/her about any social, emotional or learning problems that he/she may be going through. In case of toddlers, You must also look for other symptoms of illness, asthma or allergies.
What is a thorough physical examination?
A thorough physical examination can be conducted of your child., including the weight and growth of your child and also to look for any physical abnormalities in your child.
Why does my baby cry so much?
A crying baby can be a clue, but babies cry a lot so it could just as easily be a sign of a dirty diaper as a sore throat. There are other symptoms that parents can pay attention to that might help along the way.
Why is my baby pale?
Sometimes babies are pale by nature — especially when they spend a lot of time inside, like babies born in the winter. Sometimes, though the pale tone can be an indication that there isn't enough iron in the baby's blood. That can happen a lot to premature babies who often develop anemia before they reach six months.
What to do if baby is struggling to breathe?
If the baby is struggling to breath or has a blue tinge to his lips or skin, a trip to the emergency room is a good idea, but otherwise parents can help the situation at night by taking the baby into a steamy bathroom. Then it is worth a call to the doctor the next morning, as some of the illnesses that lead to croup can require some strong medication.
Why do babies have dark skin?
Whether a baby has a creamy complexion or beautiful dark skin, parents should look out for changes in the skin tone because it could be a sign that the baby is seriously sick and needs medical attention.
How long do hives last?
They may last a few days, but most of the time it doesn't constitute an emergency, unless the baby starts to struggle to breathe. A doctor can help find the source of the allergy, but generally the hives go away on their own. Fungal rashes can happen when the baby gets thrush or due to the baby's moist skin.
Why does my baby's skin tone change?
A baby's skin tone can change to other shades that can also be indicative that the baby is seriously sick. The hue can be an important part of diagnosing the issue, so it is a good reason to talk to a doctor. If the baby gets a yellow skin tone — or worse, if the eyes turn yellow — that is an indication of jaundice.
How to tell if a baby can't breathe?
If the chest is sinking in and the belly is expanding, that can be an indication she can't catch her breathe. Also, you can watch for rapid breathing. An infant breathes faster than a child anyway, but if the baby takes more than 60 or 70 breaths a minute for a period of time, that is an emergency, especially if the baby is turning blue. The breathing should slow with age, so between the first and second birthday, anything faster than 40 breaths per minute is too fast, and after that look out for breathing faster than 30 breaths per minutes.
Should your child see a doctor?
Symptoms Abdominal Pain - Female Abdominal Pain - Male Acne Animal or Human Bite Antibiotics: When Do They Help? Anxiety Attack Arm Injury Arm Pain Asthma Attack Athlete's Foot Back Pain Bed Bug Bite Bee or Yellow Jacket Sting Behavioral Health Problems Blisters Boil Bottle-Feeding (Formula) Questions Breast Symptoms-Child Breast Symptoms-Teen Breast-Feeding Questions Breath-holding Spell Breathing Trouble Bronchiolitis-RSV Bruises and Cuts Burn Chest Pain Chickenpox Circumcision Problems Colds Colds (0-12 Months) Constipation Cough Cough (0-12 Months) Coughs: Meds or Home Remedies? COVID-19 Diagnosed or Suspected COVID-19 Exposure, But No Symptoms COVID-19 or Influenza - How to Tell Cracked or Dry Skin Cradle Cap Croup Crying Baby - Before 3 Months Old Crying Child - 3 Months and Older Cut, Scrape, or Bruise Depression Diaper Rash Diarrhea Diarrhea (0-12 Months) Diarrhea Diseases From Travel Dizziness Drinking Fluids - Decreased Dry Skin Ear - Congestion Ear - Discharge Ear - Pulling At or Rubbing Ear - Swimmer's Ear Infection Questions Ear Injury Ear Piercing Symptoms Earache Earwax Buildup Ebola Exposure Eczema Emergency Symptoms Not to Miss Eye - Allergy Eye - Foreign Object Eye - Pus or Discharge Eye - Red Without Pus Eye Injury Eye Swelling Fainting Fever Fever - How to Take a Temperature (0-12 Months) Fever - How to Take the Temperature Fever - Myths Versus Facts Fever (0-12 Months) Fifth Disease-Viral Rash Finger Injury Fire Ant Sting Flu Fluid Intake Decreased Food Allergy Foreskin Care Questions Frostbite Genital Injury - Female Genital Injury - Male Hair Loss Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Viral Rash Hay Fever Head Injury Head Lice Headache Heat Exposure and Reactions Heat Rash Hives Hoarseness Human or Animal Bite Immunization Reactions Impetigo - Infected Sores Infection Exposure Questions Influenza - Seasonal Influenza Exposure Insect Bite Jaundiced Newborn Jellyfish Sting Jock Itch Leg Injury Leg Pain Lice - Head Lymph Nodes - Swollen Medicine - Refusal to Take Menstrual Cramps Menstrual Period - Missed or Late Mental Health Problems Molluscum-Wart Mosquito Bite Mosquito-Borne Diseases from Travel Motion Sickness Mouth Injury Mouth Ulcers Neck Pain or Stiffness Newborn Appearance Questions Newborn Illness - How to Recognize Newborn Rashes and Birthmarks Newborn Reflexes and Behavior Nose Allergy (Hay Fever) Nose Injury Nosebleed Panic Attack Penis-Scrotum Symptoms-Child Penis-Scrotum Symptoms-Teen Pinworms Poison Ivy - Oak - Sumac Puncture Wound Rash or Redness - Localized Rash or Redness - Widespread Reflux (Spitting Up) Ringworm Roseola-Viral Rash RSV-Bronchiolitis Scabies-Itch Mite Rash Scorpion Sting Scrape Sexually Transmitted Infections Sinus Pain or Congestion Skin Foreign Object Skin Injury Skin Lump Sliver or Splinter Solid Foods (Baby Foods) Sore Throat Spider Bite Spitting Up - Reflux STI Exposure Stomach Pain - Female Stomach Pain - Male Stools - Blood In Stools - Unusual Color Strep Throat Exposure Strep Throat Infection Sty Sunburn Suture Questions Swallowed Foreign Object Swallowed Harmless Substance Swimmer's Itch - Lakes and Oceans Tear Duct - Blocked Teething Thrush Tick Bite Toe Injury Toenail - Ingrown Tooth Injury Toothache Trouble Breathing Umbilical Cord Symptoms Urinary Tract Infection - Female Urination Pain - Female Urination Pain - Male Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal Symptoms-Child Vaginal Symptoms-Teen Vomiting (0-12 Months) Vomiting With Diarrhea Vomiting Without Diarrhea Warts Weakness and Fatigue Wheezing (Other Than Asthma) Wound Infection
What does it mean when a child is dehydrated?
Dehydration means that your child's body fluids are low. Dehydration often is caused by severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. Suspect dehydration if your child has not urinated in 8 hours. Crying no tears and a dry inside of the mouth (tongue) are also signs. In young babies, the soft spot in the head is sunken. Dehydrated children are also tired and weak.
What is the emergency number for poisoning?
You would not overlook major bleeding, breathing that stops, a seizure or a coma. You would call 911 for help. If you suspected poisoning, you would call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Some emergency symptoms, however, can be missed or ignored.
How old is a baby when it starts to get sick?
Your baby is less than 1 month old and has a fever or looks sick. This includes vomiting, cough, or even poor color. Your baby may start to act abnormal if they are getting sick. Examples are poor feeding or sleeping too much. At this age, these symptoms are serious until proven otherwise.
What does it mean when your child is struggling to breathe?
This means the skin pulls in between the ribs with each breath. It is a sign of trouble breathing in younger children. Children with severe breathing problems can't drink, talk or cry. If your child is struggling to breathe, call 911.
Why do kids have trouble breathing?
Breathing is essential for life. Most childhood deaths are caused by severe breathing problems. Breathing problems can be caused by throat or lung infections. Parents need to learn to recognize trouble breathing. If your child has tight croup or wheezing, they need to be seen now.
Why is my stomach yellow?
Note: Vomiting some yellow fluid is normal. The yellow color is from stomach acid.
What is Lethargy?
Like in humans, a lethargic chicken describes a chicken that lacks energy. They may sleep more often than other chickens. They may spend less time scurrying around in search of food. While it isn’t uncommon for hens to rest and nap, they do tend to spring up quickly if they’re startled.
What happens when you remove an egg from a chicken?
Once the egg is removed, the chicken should return to its normal eating ways, and its energy should return to what it was. Chickens can also acquire diseases. A vet can help you determine what disease is ailing your chicken and give you the necessary antibiotics or treatments for the chicken.
Why do chickens sleep with their heads drooping?
Anything outside of that way could be indicative that your chicken has lethargy. Most lethargic chickens typically sleep with their heads drooped or tucked into a wing. It may appear as though they can’t keep their heads lifted up.
How do you know if a chicken is lethargic?
A healthy chicken is incredibly aware of what is going on around it. They’re constantly in search of danger or anything that might threaten them.
What do chickens look for in their pen?
Chickens spend most of their time foraging for food. They travel across their pen looking for crumbs, worms, and seeds to eat. Now and then, they might take the time to return to the coop to rest. However, they’re usually active.
Why won't my chicken move?
A lethargic chicken won’t move much at all if it’s disturbed from its sleep. If you believe that your chicken may be lethargic, then it may due to a number of diseases or conditions.
How do you know if a chicken is mobile?
No doubt you’re familiar with how a chicken struts around. They tend to dart their legs forward. Now and then, they may flap their wings for balance or agitation. Those are all signs of a healthy chicken being mobile.
