Level of consciousness in children

Level of consciousness is a measure of a child's ability to interact with other people and react to his or her surroundings. A decreased level of consciousness may indicate a serious health problem.

Symptoms of a decreased level of consciousness in a young child include:

• Extreme irritability for more than 3 hours. The child cannot be calmed by holding, rocking, or feeding.
• Extreme sleepiness and difficulty waking up.
• Limpness and poor, weak muscle tone. A child older than 3 months of age may not move for an extended period of time or may not show any desire to move.
• Weak or feeble cry.
• Lack of response to touch or voice.
• Inability to suck for two or more feedings in a row.
• Vacant or blank stare. Children older than 3 months of age may not make eye contact or may show other signs of confusion or disorientation.
• Unequal movement, strength, and activity of the arms or legs.