High-Pitched Cry: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for High-Pitched Cry

Examination in the office revealed a markedly jaundiced infant who had a high-pitched cry and intermittently arched his back. [pedsinreview.aappublications.org]

[…] history of splenectomy maternal exposure to sulphonamides or antimalarials hepatosplenomegaly microcephaly chorioretinitis small for gestational age cephalhaematoma hypertonia high-pitched [bestpractice.bmj.com]

cry retrocollis opisthotonus Risk factors East Asian American-Indian maternal diabetes oxytocin in labour low birth weight decreased gestational age decreased caloric intake [bestpractice.bmj.com]

Hydrocephalus

[…] may experience symptoms differently, but the most common symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include: A full or bulging fontanel (soft spot located on top of the head) A high-pitched [chp.edu]

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if emergency symptoms occur, such as: Breathing problems Extreme drowsiness or sleepiness Feeding difficulties Fever High-pitched cry [nlm.nih.gov]

cry An inability to look upward while the baby’s head is facing forward Developmental delays Increased irritability Increasing head circumference Poor feeding habits Projectile [chp.edu]

Ventricular Hemorrhage

Common symptoms of IVH include: apnea and bradycardia (stopping breathing and low heart rate) pale or blue coloring weak suck high-pitched cry seizures swelling or bulging [childrenshospital.org]

There may be no symptoms, or symptoms (which usually appear a few days after birth) may include a high-pitched cry, lethargy, seizures (and other abnormal movements), poor [nicklauschildrens.org]

Symptoms may include: Apnea and bradycardia (stopping breathing and low heart rate) Pale or blue coloring (cyanosis) Weak suck High-pitched cry Seizures Swelling or bulging [chop.edu]

Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Symptoms Jittery or Tremors Lethargic Hypotonia Apnea Hypothermia Cyanosis Seizures Weak or high pitched cry Poor feeding V. [fpnotebook.com]

Symptoms Jittery or Tremor s Lethargic Hypotonia Apnea Hypothermia Cyanosis Seizure s Weak or high pitched cry Poor feeding V. [fpnotebook.com]

pitched cry, poor feeding habits, weakness, exaggerated Moro (startle) reflex, and eye rolling. [babygooroo.com]

Meningitis

[…] that don’t fade with pressure (also called purpure or petechiae )* Rapid breathing Seizures, fits or convulsions Sensitivity to light Severe headache Stiff neck Unusual high-pitched [meningitis.com.au]

[…] spots that don’t fade with pressure (also called purpure or petechiae)* Rapid breathing Seizures, fits or convulsions Sensitivity to light Severe headache Stiff neck Unusual high-pitched [meningitis.com.au]

So in babies and young children, watch for things like: Fever Acts sluggish Irritable Difficulty feeding High-pitched cry Red or purple spots on the skin Cries when held Arches [webmd.com]

Rathbun Syndrome

The Rathbun syndrome, also known as hypophosphatasia, is a congenital, autosomal recessive disease caused by defective encoding of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase leading to peripheral (serum and tissue) deficiency of this enzyme. The illness has several degrees of severity, causing symptoms at various[…] [symptoma.com]

Kernicterus

Babies with bilirubin encephalopathy are lethargic, hypotonic or hypertonic, and have a high pitched cry, opisthotonus, seizures, and may die if bilirubin is not lowered. [neuropathology-web.org]

[…] of the earliest symptoms seen in acute disease, whereas abnormal extension of the neck (retrocollis), generalized aching and opisthotonus, fever, convulsions, and a very high-pitched [symptoma.com]

The initial phase is characterized by the infant not feeding well, being lethargic with a decreased muscle tone (mild hypotonia) and a high pitched cry. [g6pddf.org]

Maple Syrup Urine Disease Mild Variant

Other important syptoms are poor feeding, poor appetite, weak suck, lethargy, high pitched cry, and movements that look like fencing or bicycling. [maplesyrupurine.weebly.com]

Some common symptoms of classic MSUD are: Extreme fatigue, irritability and lethargy High pitched cry Poor feeding, loss of appetite and weight loss Irregular sleep rhythm [drelist.com]

Clinical presentation of classic MSUD includes - Poor sucking with little interest in feeding Marked lethargy Weight loss Vomiting Rapid shallow respirations High-pitched [motherbabyuniversity.com]

Intermittent Maple Syrup Urine Disease

Other important syptoms are poor feeding, poor appetite, weak suck, lethargy, high pitched cry, and movements that look like fencing or bicycling. [maplesyrupurine.weebly.com]

Some common symptoms of classic MSUD are: Extreme fatigue, irritability and lethargy High pitched cry Poor feeding, loss of appetite and weight loss Irregular sleep rhythm [drelist.com]

Microcephaly

High-pitched cry, Poor feeding, Convulsions, Increased movement of the arms and legs (spasticity), Hyperactivity, Developmental delays, Mental retardation As the child grows [omicsonline.org]

Aside from a noticeably smaller head, the following are the most common symptoms of microcephaly: A high-pitched cry Feeding problems Hearing and vision problems Convulsions [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Cri Du Chat Syndrome

It presents with a distinctive catlike high-pitched cry, psychomotor delays, microcephaly, craniofacial abnormalities, and, in many cases, ocular findings. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Here, we present a case with an unusual chromosomal rearrangement in a child with a predominant phenotype of high-pitched crying showing deletion encompassing CTNND2 due to [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

A deletion of this chromosomal region has been associated with the cri-du-chat syndrome (CDCS), a segmental aneusomy syndrome of 5p that is associated with an unusual high-pitched [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

Nervous system symptoms of NAS include irritability, jitteriness, a high-pitched cry, tremors, rapid heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, frequent sneezing and yawning, hyperactive [livestrong.com]

Her high-pitched cry pierced the unit again and again, her tiny legs twitched uncontrollably, and she couldn’t sleep. [statnews.com]

[…] a high-pitched cry Poor feeding or sucking or slow weight gain Breathing problems, including breathing really fast Fever, sweating or blotchy skin Trouble sleeping and lots [marchofdimes.org]

Classic Maple Syrup Urine Disease

These signs include: Poor appetite Trouble sucking during feeding Weight loss High pitched cry Urine that smells sweet like maple syrup or burnt sugar Sleeping longer or more [babysfirsttest.org]

[…] a distinctive maple sugar odor in earwax, sweat, and urine irregular sleep patterns alternating episodes of hypertonia (muscle rigidity) and hypotonia (muscle limpness) high-pitched [healthline.com]

Some of the first symptoms are: • poor appetite • weak suck • weight loss • high pitched cry • urine that smells like maple syrup or burnt sugar Babies with MSUD have episodes [flipper.diff.org]

Intracranial Abscess

Other symptoms in your child can include: projectile vomiting high-pitched crying spasticity in the limbs Many of these symptoms closely resemble other diseases or health [healthline.com]

[…] in babies and younger children: fever a full or bulging fontanelle (soft spot located on the top of the head) sleepiness or less alert than usual increased irritability high-pitched [columbianeurosurgery.org]

In babies and younger children: Fever A full or bulging fontanelle (soft spot located on the top of the head) Sleepiness or less alert than usual Increased irritability High-pitched [chop.edu]

Brain Abscess

Other symptoms in your child can include: projectile vomiting high-pitched crying spasticity in the limbs Many of these symptoms closely resemble other diseases or health [healthline.com]

cry poor feeding projectile vomiting seizures in older children: fever complaints of severe headaches nausea and vomiting changes in personality or behavior changes in speech [columbianeurosurgery.org]

Congenital Communicating Hydrocephalus

Neurologic symptoms develop mainly if intracranial pressure increases; infants may have irritability, high-pitched cry, vomiting, lethargy, and strabismus. [msdmanuals.com]

[…] feeling of the feet being stuck Poor coordination or balance When to see a doctor Seek emergency medical care for infants and toddlers experiencing these signs and symptoms: A high-pitched [mayoclinic.org]

She has been less interactive, and her cry has become more high-pitched and weak. She has not been breastfeeding well. [hawaii.edu]

Hemophilus Meningitis

Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms: Feeding problems High-pitched [ufhealth.org]

Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms: Feeding problems High-pitched [medlineplus.gov]

cry Irritability Persistent, unexplained fever Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness. [ufhealth.org]

Neonatal Meningitis

Symptoms Fever (could have cold hands and feet) Not being able to feed Vomiting or diarrhoea Dislikes being handled Difficulty breathing/grunting Pale/blotchy skin High pitched [meningitis.com.au]

A high-pitched cry, and a bulging or tight soft spot (fontanel) on the crown of the head (where the parts of the still unhardened bones join) may also occur. [rarediseases.org]

Other symptoms of meningitis in babies can include: jaundice (a yellowish tint to the skin) stiffness of the body and neck a lower-than-normal temperature a weak suck a high-pitched [m.kidshealth.org]

Congenital Tracheomalacia

Symptoms of this condition may be mild to severe and include noisy, rattling, or high-pitched breathing; breathing that worsens with coughing, crying, feeding, or respiratory [diseaseinfosearch.org]

High-pitched or rattling breathing Diagnosis A physical examination confirms the symptoms. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

feeding, or upper respiratory infections High-pitched breathing Rattling or noisy breaths Signs and tests A physical examination confirms the symptoms. [coordinatedhealth.com]

Meningococcal Meningitis

Call the local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms: Feeding difficulties High-pitched [ufhealth.org]

Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms: Feeding difficulties High-pitched [mountsinai.org]

cry Irritability Persistent unexplained fever Call the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. [ufhealth.org]

Hypernatremia

Your baby has a high-pitched cry, muscle weakness, or unusual irritability or drowsiness. You have dry eyes or mouth. You have nausea, and you are vomiting. [drugs.com]

Other symptoms include increased thirst response in alert patients and high-pitched cry in infants. [physio-pedia.com]

Other symptoms include increased thirst response in alert patients and high-pitched cry in infants. The skin can feel doughy or velvety due to intracellular water loss. [statpearls.com]

Meningeal Disorder

Nausea and vomiting Stiff neck Photophobia (low tolerance to bright light) Confusion Joint aches or pains Drowsiness Seizures Symptoms for children may also include: Fever High-pitched [columbianeurology.org]

[…] including bulging soft spot, irritability, extreme sleepiness, and feeding difficulties Symptoms of meningitis develop, including fever, stiff neck, irritability, and a high-pitched [medlineplus.gov]

[…] include: Eyes that appear to gaze downward Irritability Seizures Separated sutures Sleepiness Vomiting Symptoms that may occur in older children can include: Brief, shrill, high-pitched [en.wikipedia.org]

Infantile Colic

Go to A&E or call 999 if: your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry your baby's cry doesn't sound like their normal cry You know better than anyone else what your child is [nhs.uk]

Colicky crying is often described as more high-pitched and strained than ordinary crying[1]. [ada.com]

[…] to be working you're finding it hard to cope your baby is older than 4 months and still seems to have symptoms of colic A GP will check for possible causes of your baby's crying [nhs.uk]

UNC80 Deficiency

Seizures, involuntary side-to-side movements of the eyes (nystagmus), eyes that do not point in the same direction (strabismus), and a high-pitched cry can also occur in this [medlineplus.gov]

Some also manifest extremity hypertonia and a high-pitched cry. Seizures may develop during infancy or childhood. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Additional features can include nystagmus, extremity hypertonia, a high-pitched cry, repetitive and self-stimulatory behaviors, constipation, clubfeet, joint contractures, [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Conjugated Hyperbilirubinemia Type 3

In addition, affected infants may suck or nurse weakly, develop a high-pitched cry, and/or exhibit diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), resulting in abnormal “floppiness.” [liverfoundation.org]

Congenital Chromosomal Disease

[…] cat-like cry at birth. [fdna.health]

[…] a deletion or duplication of parts of a chromosome) Cri-du-Chat syndrome: caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5, the first identifying symptom of this condition is a high-pitched [fdna.health]

ATP5A1-Related ATP Synthase Deficiency

Chromosomal Deletion

Chromosome deletion syndromes list Cri-du-chat syndrome (5p- (5p minus) syndrome) This chromosome deletion syndrome is characterized by its high pitched cat-like cry that [fdna.health]

Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type 2

Craniosynostosis Type 6

[…] include: Full or bulging fontanelle (soft spot located on the top of the head) Sleepiness (or less alert than usual) Scalp veins may be very noticeable Increased irritability High-pitched [choc.org]

[…] include: A full or bulging fontanelle (soft spot located on the top of the head) Sleepiness (or less alert than usual) Very noticeable scalp veins Increased irritability High-pitched [hopkinsmedicine.org]

cry Poor feeding Projectile vomiting Increasing head circumference Seizures Bulging eyes and the child’s inability to look upward with the head facing forward Developmental [choc.org]