Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version

A newborn is a baby less than 1 month old. He or she mainly eats, sleeps, cries a little, and needs a lot of love and his or her diapers changed frequently. If a newborn is ill, the symptoms can be subtle. Also, an ill newborn can very quickly get much sicker. If a newborn is sick at all, the illness can be serious.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your baby is less than 1 month old and sick in any way (for example, with a cough or diarrhea or looks pale).
• Your newborn's appetite or suck becomes poor.
• Your newborn sleeps excessively--for instance, past feeding times.
• Your newborn cries excessively.
• Your newborn develops a fever over 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) measured rectally, or over 99 degrees F (37.2 degrees C) measured in the armpit. *
• Your newborn's temperature drops below 97.5 degrees F (36.5 degrees C) measured rectally, or 96.5 degrees F (36 degrees C) measured in the armpit. *
• You have other urgent questions.

  * In general, do not take an infant's temperature unless he or she feels hot or looks sick.