Differential Diagnosis for 7 Month Old with Fall and Fever
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral upper respiratory infection (URI): A common cause of fever in infants, often accompanied by other symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and irritability. The recent fall could be incidental or related to the child's condition if they were feeling unwell before the fall.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Bacterial infection (e.g., otitis media, pneumonia): These infections can cause fever and may be more likely if the infant has other symptoms such as ear pulling, difficulty feeding, or respiratory distress.
- Traumatic injury from the fall: Depending on the height of the fall and the surface onto which the infant fell, there could be a risk of head injury, fractures, or internal injuries, which might not always be immediately apparent.
- Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is a serious infection that can cause fever, irritability, and in severe cases, symptoms such as a bulging fontanelle or seizures in infants.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Bacterial meningitis: This is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms can be non-specific in infants but may include fever, irritability, lethargy, and poor feeding.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Early recognition and treatment are crucial.
- Skull fracture or intracranial hemorrhage: Especially if the fall was from a significant height or onto a hard surface, these conditions are emergencies that require immediate medical attention.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Osteomyelitis or septic arthritis: These are infections of the bone or joint, respectively, which can cause fever and pain, especially if the fall resulted in a traumatic injury that became infected.
- Child abuse: Unfortunately, some falls may be non-accidental. Healthcare providers must be vigilant for signs of abuse, especially if the history provided does not match the injury pattern or if there are repeated injuries.