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Symptoms » Crying infant » Diagnostic Tests
 

Diagnostic Tests for Crying infant

Diagnostic Test list for Crying infant:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Crying infant includes:

  • General inspection
    • Current level of any distress
    • Note character of cry
    • Note presence of stridor or wheeze
    • Note any peculiarity in appearance - e.g. dysmorphic.
    • Note state of alertness
    • Note general state of development
    • Note scars, burns, bruises or rashes
  • Physical examination
    • Note: it may be difficult to thoroughly examine a crying infant
    • Weight, height and head circumference to assess centiles for growth
    • Temperature - to assess chance of infection as cause of crying.
    • Type and rate of breathing
    • Examine abdomen for any obvious distention, tenderness, rigidity, masses, enlarged organs or hernias
    • Examine heart and peripheral pulses - heart conditions can be the cause of miserable, irritable babies who are difficult feeders and who gain weight poorly.
    • Examine the lungs and note breath sounds and added sounds that may be suggestive of lung disease
    • Examine fontanelle (soft spots on babies skull) - which may have increased tension with increased intracranial pressure or sunken with dehydration.
    • Examine neck lymph nodes - which will be enlarged in upper respiratory tract infections.
    • Examine limbs and joints for deformity, tenderness and range of motion
    • Examine nervous system including tone and reflexes - e.g. cerebral palsy can cause crying, unsettled babies.
    • Examine ears, nose and throat - for evidence of infection which can cause a cross, crying baby.
  • Blood tests (if warranted)
  • Urine analysis
  • Urine microscopy and culture - to rule out urinary tract infection.
  • Stool microscopy and culture - may be suggested if diarrhea present.
  • Radiological investigations
    • Abdominal X-Ray - may show signs of bowel obstruction.
    • Barium enema - may be required to confirm intussusception of the bowel.
    • Renal ultrasound and micturating cysturethrogram (MCU) - to diagnose possible vesicoureteric reflux if baby is diagnosed with urinary tract infection.
  • Spinal tap - may be necessary if fever present and unknown cause to rule out meningitis.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Crying infant causes:


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