Decreased alertness refers to a noticeable change in a child's typical interactions with the people and things around the child. Decreased alertness may indicate a serious health problem and may include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty waking up
- Limpness or weak muscle tone. A child over 3 months of age may not move for an extended period of time and show no desire to move.
- A weak or feeble cry
- Unresponsiveness to touch or voice
- Inability to suck for two or more feedings in a row
- A vacant stare. Children over 3 months of age may not make eye contact.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | August 29, 2006 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 08/29/2006
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