Symptom 4: Stiff Neck or Body – The Iron Hold of Rigidity
One of the most characteristic symptoms of neonatal meningitis is stiffness, particularly in the neck or body. It’s like an iron grasp holding the baby in its clutches, limiting their movements and making them seem rigid or tense.
Meningitis involves the inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation can lead to a stiff neck, a symptom medically known as nuchal rigidity. When you try to move the baby’s neck, there might be resistance, almost as if an unseen force is holding it rigid.
This stiffness is not just limited to the neck. The baby’s body might also seem unusually rigid. This happens due to increased muscle tone, a condition known as hypertonia. It’s as if the body’s muscles are constantly flexed, making the baby seem stiff or tense.
Additionally, this stiffness might be accompanied by other neurological symptoms. The baby might seem irritable or show signs of discomfort when moved. Their movements could appear jerky or uncoordinated. These signs all point towards an issue in the nervous system, such as neonatal meningitis.(4)
