Occasionally you will come across a foal that was normal for the first 24 hours after birth but has started laying down for longer periods, nursing less, and not quite as bright as the first day. Most often these are the early signs of an infection in the blood stream called septicemia. For newborns this is a very dangerous situation and requires immediate veterinary attention. If the physical and laboratory exam does not turn up evidence of infection and the laboratory work rules out neonatal isoerythrolysis or other problems, you may be dealing with maladjustment syndrome.

The causes of maladjustment syndrome are unknown but too little oxygen during birth, head trauma, and blood abnormalities have all been suggested as possibilities. Most likely there is more than one cause.