Health Encyclopedia

Irritability

Definition

Irritability is an excessive response to stimuli.

Alternative Names

Inconsolability

Considerations

The term "irritability" is used for infants and young children who, when ill, are especially fussy, whiny, and fretful, despite attempts at comforting and soothing them.

Parents are usually very aware of their child's normal behavior and may pick up early changes that the health care provider wouldn't notice. This can help diagnose illness early.

Common Causes

Irritability can be a very early sign of serious problems. Although irritability is not a symptom of any specific illness, it should arouse suspicion in the parent that something might be wrong with the child, even though there may not yet be other symptoms.

Causes of irritability include:

Alcohol or drug withdrawal state
Cancer
Colic in infants
Congenital infections
Diabetes or other metabolic disease
Drug reaction
Ear infection
Encephalitis
Fracture, sprain, or other bone, joint, or tissue injury
Headache (migraine or other)
Head trauma
Hydrocephalus
Hypoglycemia
Intestinal obstruction
Intracranial bleeding or abscess
Iron deficiency anemia
Lead poisoning
Meningitis or other serious infection
Milk intolerance
Nutritional deficiencies
Pinworm
Sleep disorders
Tay-Sachs or other genetic disease
Viral infection

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.

Watch the child for other symptoms such as:

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if your child is irritable or inconsolable, with or without other symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Tests may include:

Blood culture
Complete blood count
Electrolyte analysis

Medical history questions documenting irritability in detail may include:

How irritable is the child?
Does the irritability persist?
How does the child normally eat (how often, how much)?
How is the child eating now?
How often does the child normally have bowel movements?
Does the child have problems with diarrhea or constipation?
What other symptoms does the child have?
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:11/12/2007
Reviewed By:Rachel A. Lewis, M.D., F.A.A.P., Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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