What Are the Causes of Irritability in Children?

Illness

• Irritable children often have head, throat or ear pain caused by viral or bacterial infections. According to Pediatric Care Online, 8 to 12 percent of children under 3 years old suffer from irritability due to chronic migraine headaches. If irritability and head pain are prolonged and accompanied by vomiting, neurological illnesses such as hydrocephalus (excess fluid around the brain) or brain tumor may be responsible. Stomach pain -- often caused by viruses or food-borne pathogens -- is another trigger of irritability. Suspect appendicitis when irritability is followed by severe pain in the lower right abdomen. Chronic acid reflux is a concern when irritability is accompanied by recurrent vomiting. Request a medical exam for a child with chronic, unexplained irritability to rule out diabetes, cancers, organ diseases, hernias and vitamin deficiencies.

Injury

• Suspect head trauma or concussion as a cause of irritability when a child has fallen or been injured while playing. Poisoning from ingestion or inhalation of chemicals, pesticides, hazardous metals or drugs causes irritability. Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning experience irritability along with dizziness and confusion. Bites or stings from insects and spiders make children irritable as they experience pain and swelling in the affected area. Any foreign object stuck in a child's ears, nose or eyes will likely cause irritability and discharge or tears. According to Pediatric Care Online, children who are physically abused by their caregivers often display chronic irritability.

Psychological Condition

• Irritability is an early symptom of autism disorders. It typically presents along with limited verbal and social interaction and a preference for solitary play. Children with attention deficit disorders are often irritable, anxious and easily distracted. Clinical depression can affect children and cause long-term irritability and withdrawal, but temporary grief also causes short-term irritability. Extreme anxiety brought on by school work, peer pressure and family conflicts causes emotional distress and chronic irritability.

Developmental Factors

• Very young children often become irritable when teething or experiencing growth spurts. As children grow, they develop different routines with child care, school and activities, often becoming irritable as they adjust to new schedules and environments. Most children experience fear and nightmares as their imaginations develop, resulting in irritability due to lack of sleep and stress. Older children are notoriously irritable when they undergo hormonal changes during adolescence.