What is the reason for hospitalization of any infant with a temp. of 100+ ?
I'm working with a very nervous mother whose one-month old baby has a cold.
The doc says that if this infant's temp goes above 100 he will go to the
hospital for a spinal tap or such procedures.  Wouldn't a fever be an
acceptable accompanyment to a cold?  And would menengitis be a common
complication of a cold?  Is there a real danger of an otherwise healthy
infant's having a fever with a cold?

She says that the baby isn't feeding for as long as he usually does and she
is afraid of dehydration (another caution from the doc).  It is 10:00 a.m.
and he's already had 3 soaking diapers since 5:00.

The mother is soooo scared, and it feels to me that the seriousness has been
overstated.  Am I off base here?

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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