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Central nervous system
Central nervous system

Irritability
Definition:
Irritability is an excessive response to stimuli.

Alternative Names:
Inconsolability

Considerations:

Irritability is used specifically in regard to infants and young children who often, in the presence of illness, demonstrate increased fussiness, whining, and fretfulness despite attempts at comforting and parental responses that would normally be soothing to the infant or child.

Irritability is seen at the beginning of many infectious diseases, some metabolic diseases, head trauma, malignancies, and other types of disease. It can be a very early sign of impending problems.

Although irritability cannot be taken as a symptom or sign of any specific illness, it should arouse early suspicion in the parent that something might be wrong with the infant or young child, even though there may not yet be other symptoms.

Parents are very aware of their child's normal behavior and may pick up early changes that would be inapparent to the examining health care provider. This may aid in the early diagnosis of illness.
Common Causes:
Home Care:
Attempt to soothe the child with usual measures (rocking, cuddling, or whatever the child normally finds soothing). If the child cannot be consoled, consult your health care provider. Additionally, observe the child for other symptoms (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, rash, or any other unusual finding).
Call your health care provider if:
  • Your child is irritable with or without other symptoms.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Tests may include a complete blood count, electrolyte analysis, blood culture, as well as others.

Medical history questions documenting irritability in detail may include:
  • Quality
    • How irritable is the child?
  • Time pattern
    • Does the irritability persist?
  • Feeding habits
    • How does the child normally eat (how often, how much)?
    • How is the child eating now?
  • Bowel habits
    • How often does the child normally have bowel movements?
    • Does the child have problems with diarrhea or constipation?
  • Other
    • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Is there any fever, confusion, or pain?
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to irritability to your personal medical record.
Review Date: 1/25/2002
Reviewed By: Adam Ratner, M.D., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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