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Usually, parents know their children very well and notice when it’s time to visit the doctor’s office. Symptoms of the disease in the youngest, however, may be very poorly expressed. What symptoms may require consultation with a doctor?
A fever in a child
An elevated body temperature should not normally be a cause for your concern. However, if it occurs in a child under 3 months and the temperature reaches 38 degrees C or higher, contact your doctor. In older children, over 39 degrees Celsius should pay attention. A long-term temperature that does not respond to the administered medications should also be a reason to consult a doctor with the child. Symptoms accompanying a fever, such as drowsiness, laxity, neck stiffness, or a constant bending position of the head, and any neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, speech disorders, muscle paralysis should pay special attention.
Multiple bruises, problems with blood clotting in a child
Falls and injuries are common in childhood. They are accompanied by all bruises, cuts and fractures. However, certain situations should get the parent’s attention. Small superficial wounds that bleed heavily and for a long time can be a sign disorders in the blood coagulation system. Similarly, the appearance of bruises all over the child’s body and the formation of them even with light pressure on the skin can be an alarming symptom. We should especially pay attention to this when the bruising is accompanied by the child’s irritability, weakness and apathy. These symptoms often appear during the development of blood cancers, especially leukemias, which are the most common cancers among pediatric patients.
- Read more: Leukemia in children – symptoms, treatment
Skin changes in a child
Sometimes it is difficult to assess whether the skin lesion is just a mole or if it is necessary to see a doctor with it. Skin lesions that grow and change their color are sure to be shown to the doctor. In addition, the occurrence of coffee-milk-colored spots on the child’s skin in greater quantity, namely six or more, exceeding 5 mm before puberty and 15 mm after puberty, or freckled spots in the groin and armpits area should be consulted with a doctor. Baby skin pale it is also sometimes disturbing, especially when it has not been present since birth, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of energy, drowsiness, depressed mood. Lymphadenopathy that is not related to infection. Any skin rashes should be closely monitored.
- See also: Red spots on the body in a child and allergies. What is it about?
Headaches, nausea, vomiting in a child
Most often, these symptoms are not a cause for alarm. However, if they happen several times a week or last a long time, they should get the parent’s attention. If you experience vomiting or nausea after a child falls or hits the head, consult a doctor. Headaches in a child are disturbing, awakening them from sleep and occurring at night and in the morning. Unfortunately, such symptoms often herald a brain tumor, also very popular among children. Increase in intracranial pressure caused by the growth of the tumor, may cause nausea and vomiting in a toddler, especially in the morning, or balance disorders.
Bone pain in a child
Many reasons can cause bone pain in children. They are at the age of intensive growth, so these may be symptoms related to bone elongation, growth of epiphyseal cartilage – growing pains. Youth is also a time of increased physical activity, during which injuries may occur, which may cause temporary pain or fractures. Sometimes, however, such pains may be a symptom of dangerous neoplastic diseases, e.g. bone sarcoma. Such pain will increase over time and will continue to occur at night, waking the baby from sleep. The mobility of the affected limb may be limited or swollen.
Red eyes in the photo
Retinoblastoma – retinoblastoma is another cancer that occurs in children, especially up to 5 years of age. It is located in the volleyball. When taking pictures, we usually observe phenomenon of the so-called “Red eyes”. White light falls into the eye, reflects off the retina and gives this effect in photos taken with flash. If the retina is affected by a tumor, this will not be the case. The so-called The cat’s eye looks as if the pupil is white. Obviously, this test is not a cancer diagnosis. However, observing this effect and reporting it to a specialist may help diagnose cancer.
Poor weight gain, rapid weight loss in a child
The child’s height and weight should be marked on the percentile grids in the child’s health booklet after each measurement. We can do it ourselves. Thanks to this, we will obtain a clear picture and easily spot significant changes.
- What is a percentile grid?
Stool and urine in a child
Changes in the color of stools, urine or the appearance of blood in them can be a symptom of, among others, cancer and other diseases of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract. Likewise, their frequency, consistency, and accompanying symptoms can be significant. Fat stools, with a very unpleasant smell, frothy, difficult to flush down the toilet may be a symptom of celiac disease, intestinal diseases or cystic fibrosis.
- Poop in a child – what does its color mean?
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