Infants require a great deal of attention from parents and caregivers, because they do not have the communication skills to signal that a health problem is developing. Generally, a pediatrician should be called if an infant experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Fever, as determined by the following chart (in Fahrenheit)

• Redness or tenderness around the navel area
  
  
• Bleeding or discharge from umbilical cord or circumcision area
  
  
• Crying for an abnormally long time
  
  
• Changes in the characteristics of a child's cry (e.g., softer than usual)
  
  
• Persistent vomiting
  
  
• More than six to eight watery stools per day
  
  
• Becoming excessively relaxed or overly stiff
  
  
• Nursing poorly or feeding abnormally
  
  
• Fewer than four wet diapers in a 24–hour period
  
  
• White patches in the mouth
  
  
• Purple spots on the skin, yellowish or blue skin
  
  
• Extreme lethargy
  
  
• Disinterest in favorite activities
  
  
• Blood in urine or stool
  
  
• Sleepiness or loss of consciousness following bump to head
  
  
• Pink, red or bloodshot eyes, sticky white eye discharge or eyelashes that stick together
  
  
• Child sleeps through the night at too young an age, or sleeps through the night for the first time when sick

Parents need to be careful since some types of health conditions (e.g., allergies) may have symptoms similar to those normally displayed by healthy infants (e.g., drooling, runny nose). Common allergy symptoms in infants include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
  
  
• Recurring ear infections (otitis media)
  
  
• Labored breathing (including wheezing)
  
  
• Skin rashes (especially on cheeks, behind ears or on thighs)
  
  
• Colic
  
  
• Diarrhea or vomiting
  
  
• Excessive drooling, spitting or perspiration
  
  
• Eczema (a skin condition often exacerbated by food allergies)

Signs of childhood asthma differ depending on the age of the patient. A pediatrician should be called if any of the following symptoms are noticed in infants:

• Noisy breathing
  
  
• Breathing increases to more than 40 breaths per minute during sleep
  
  
• Feeding or suckling ceases
  
  
• Chest size appears to expand and does not deflate when the child exhales
  
  
• Nostrils flare
  
  
• Skin is pulled tight between an infant’s ribs
  
  
• Face turns pale or red; fingernails turn bluish
  
  
• Grunting

Those with infants experiencing an asthma attack should call a pediatrician and should follow these guidelines:

• Do not give the infant large volumes of liquids. Instead, normal amounts should be given.
  
  
• Do not allow an infant to breathe warm, moist air from the shower or another source.
  
  
• Do not have an infant breathe into a bag held tightly over the nose and mouth.
  
  
• Do not give the infant over-the-counter antihistamines or cold remedies.

When in doubt, parents or guardians should call 9–1–1, the child’s pediatrician or take the infant to a hospital.