Final answer:
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in infants can manifest as temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, hypotension, difficulty feeding, irritability, limpness, which are early signs. Late-onset symptoms include seizures, bulging fontanel, stiff neck, hemiparesis, and opisthotonos, which require immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in infants may present early on and can include temperature instability, apnea (cessation of breathing), bradycardia (slow heart rate), hypotension, difficulty feeding, irritability, and limpness. In a sleeping infant, it may be notably difficult to awaken them. More advanced or severe symptoms indicative of late-onset increased ICP can encompass seizures, a noticeably bulging fontanel (soft spot on the head), stiff neck, hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), and opisthotonos (a condition where the body is bowed with the head and heels bent backward). Situations like these should be promptly evaluated by medical professionals as they can be life-threatening and often require acute medical care.
It is critical to note that these symptoms can lead to potentially irreversible damage to the brain if not managed immediately. Increased ICP in infants can be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions including meningitis, encephalitis, or physical trauma such as in shaken-baby syndrome. Parents and caregivers should be acutely aware of these signs and symptoms to safeguard the health and well-being of the infant.