What characteristic does an infant with coarctation of the aorta typically display?

In cases of coarctation of the aorta, infants often exhibit pale skin and irritability. This condition involves a narrowing of the aorta that can significantly affect blood flow, particularly to the lower parts of the body. As a result, infants may not receive adequate circulation, leading to symptoms like pallor due to insufficient blood supply and oxygenation. Irritability can also stem from discomfort or reduced perfusion, which may make the infant fussy and difficult to soothe.

While other options may appear plausible based on general pediatric presentations, they do not specifically correlate with the characteristic challenges associated with coarctation of the aorta. Cyanosis in the lower extremities typically occurs with other conditions that involve right-to-left shunting or systemic issues. Hyperactivity and poor growth could be seen in various pediatric cases but are not direct indicators of coarctation. Lastly, excessive weight gain is unlikely; in fact, the infant may show poor growth due to the compromised blood flow and general health status. Therefore, the characteristic signs of pale skin and irritability are more closely associated with the physiological impacts of this cardiac anomaly.