Diagnostic Tests for Irritability

Diagnostic Test list for Irritability:

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

• General inspection (if baby, infant or child)
  • 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 (if baby, infant or child)
  • Note: it may be difficult to thoroughly examine a crying irritable 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)
  • Full blood count and ESR for evidence of infection and inflammation
  • Electrolytes and renal function tests
  • Blood sugar
  • Liver function tests
  • Blood cultures, if fever of unknown origin
  • Viral serology tests
• 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
  • CT Scan Brain - to rule out brain cancer.
• 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
• Mental state examination - including appearance, behavior, rate and continuity of speech, mood, affect, thought content, evidence of any hallucinations or abnormal beliefs, orientation to time, place and person, attention and concentration, short-term memory, insight and judgement.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Irritability causes:

• Mental Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Emotional Stress Tests
  • ADHD -- Home Testing
  • Concentration -- Home Test Kits

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