The most common diseases in childhood

Most Common Health Problems in Pediatrics: What Should Parents Know?

A parent's top priority is their child's health. Children, especially at a young age, are more susceptible to various diseases. Fortunately, many of these illnesses can be treated with simple interventions. Below, you will find the most common health problems in children, along with basic information about each.

Respiratory Diseases

• Common Cold: It is caused by a virus. It causes a runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and cough. It usually passes within a week. It should not be confused with influenza (flu), which has no symptoms other than fever and joint pain.

• Cough: It is a natural reflex of the body to clear the airways of phlegm and other small, harmful materials. However, prolonged or wheezing coughs can put extra pressure on the entire respiratory tract, especially the lungs, and cause permanent damage.

• Asthma: It is a chronic and inflammatory lung disease. It is characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Especially during seasonal transitions, when pollen levels are high, asthma patients become obstructed due to allergies and are easily affected by other disease-causing factors, which can lead to bronchitis.

• Bronchiolitis is commonly seen in infants. It affects the small airways of the lung. The RSV virus usually causes it. Under 1 year of age, it can be life-threatening and requires hospitalization.

• Influenza: It is characterized by high fever, weakness, muscle pain, and coughing. Subtypes can now last longer than 1 month instead of 1 week. The most important of these is Swine Flu, of which different subtypes become epidemic every year in winter.

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): It can cause severe respiratory distress in infants. As RSV in children under 1 year of age can be fatal, older children are advised to stay away from infants during RSV outbreaks and to wear a mask if necessary.

• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses after a cold. After nasal congestion, it can cause inflammation of the cavities in the bones of the head, known as sinuses, leading to a headache that radiates from the forehead to the eyes. When the nose is blocked, the discharge shifts to the nasal side. This can cause a constant tickling sensation, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, as well as a throat infection.

• Sore Throat: Usually viral, sometimes bacterial (e.g., beta). If it lasts for a long time, a doctor should be consulted. Contrary to popular belief, viral infections are not necessarily followed by a bacterial superinfection. It often happens. Antibiotics are not necessary for diseases that start as viral infections. However, bacterial agents that require antibiotics can cause superinfection in areas prone to inflammation, which can easily become a fertile breeding ground.

Ear, Nose, Throat, and Eye Infections

• Middle Ear Inflammation (Otitis Media): It can develop following a cold. The child may complain of ear pain and become restless. It is the inflammation of the eustachian tube, a pinhole-sized pressure-balancing channel in the connection area of the eardrum with the nasal passage, after it is blocked. Since this canal is constantly blocked due to inflammation after colds and allergic causes, middle ear inflammation can easily occur in children and especially infants, whose nasal area is relatively much shorter. In children, it can cause pain at a level that causes crying. In small babies, it can often be the sole cause of fever as the inflammation spreads easily in the head area. The baby starts to shake its head from side to side, cries and may stop sucking. In such cases, consulting a pediatrician will prevent permanent hearing loss..

• Conjunctivitis (Eye Inflammation): It causes redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes. It can be viral, bacterial, or allergic in nature. Mainly due to allergic causes, recurrent inflammation may occur because children often rub their hands over their eyes due to itching. If the allergy persists, especially after the age of 7-8, it will be appropriate to perform tests to determine the cause. Tests performed before this age may yield incorrect or incomplete results because the immune system is immature (not yet mature) until this age.

General Infections and Symptoms

• Fever: It is a sign of infection. A doctor should be consulted, especially in high and prolonged fever. Giving painkillers or antipyretics without consulting a doctor, especially in cases of abdominal pain other than diarrhea, can have fatal consequences, as it will cover possible appendicitis or other conditions requiring surgery. In any case, aspirin as an antipyretic is strictly forbidden in children as it can cause Reye's Syndrome, which causes irreversible liver damage!

• Infection: It can be viral or bacterial. Hygiene is essential to prevent transmission. Infections can cause significant permanent damage for various reasons.

• Pain: It can take the form of ear pain, abdominal pain, or growing pain. Pain of unknown origin, especially if it is persistent, should be evaluated by a doctor, and, if necessary, a complete blood count and infection markers, such as CRP, may be needed to determine the underlying condition.

Digestive and Urinary Tract Problems

• Gastroenteritis (Stomach and Intestinal infection): It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The most crucial treatment is electrolyte-balanced fluid support. In the absence of oral nutrition, IV (intravenous) fluid support is vital, especially in infants and young children!

• Constipation: It is usually caused by dietary changes. Fiber-rich foods and increased fluid intake are recommended. Sudden onset of constipation may indicate a surgical emergency. In such cases, evaluation by a pediatrician is crucial.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): It is more common in girls. It manifests itself with symptoms such as burning in the urine and frequent urination. If left untreated, the infection can spread from the urinary tract to the kidneys. In such cases, vomiting and high fever may occur. The condition may worsen. It should be given importance as it can cause permanent kidney loss!

Skin and Child-Specific Diseases

• Hand-Foot-Mouth Diseaseı: It is a viral disease characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Since it is a self-limiting disease, it usually passes within 1 week without leaving a scar. However, if the child cannot be fed due to mouth sores, it can easily lead to additional infections due to fluid loss. Fluid loss with fever is much higher, especially in the child's body, where the body surface ratio is lower. If necessary, the situation should be controlled with IV (intravenous) fluid supplementation..

• Chickenpox: It is characterized by itchy blisters. The Varicella virus causes it. It can be prevented by vaccination. It is self-limiting, except for the control of high fever and sometimes support with antivirals. However, fever alone can cause problems. It can rarely cause pneumonia. It can cause fatal conditions, especially in infants. The vaccine has been safely administered for decades and provides high protection..

• Allergies: It can develop due to factors such as pollen, food, and animal hair. It can cause a runny nose, rash, and breathing problems. When nasal obstructions are persistent, they indirectly cause the throat to dry out due to breathing through the mouth. This can lead to recurrent throat infections. Although not inflammatory, persistent edema in the respiratory tract can cause adenoid formation, shifting of the nasal axis, and recurrent sinusitis attacks due to Eustachian tube obstruction. Edema in the bronchi, lower respiratory tract, and small lung sacs creates a fertile environment for the development of bronchitis and pneumonia. It is crucial for the child's development that a pediatrician follows the process and identifies possible causes.

Developmental and Psychological Problems

• Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): It is characterized by distraction, mobility, and impulsivity. It can cause learning disorders in children. Since it can cause problems with friendships, social adaptation, and school adaptation, the child needs to be evaluated by a specialized clinical psychologist and/or psychiatrist to shape the child's future life.

• Depression: It can also be seen in children. Prolonged unhappiness and withdrawal symptoms are essential. Contrary to popular belief, there does not have to be a factor for the condition to develop. Even dietary changes or food intolerances can cause a child to become depressed for no reason, as they prevent the production of chemicals called neurotransmitters used in the brain. Social and family problems can also be triggers.

• Early Childhood Problems: Conditions such as teething, colic (severe abdominal pain due to intestinal gas accumulation), and developmental delays are common and should be monitored. It may simply be due to a milk allergy, or it may be caused by intestinal constipation, also known as diverticulitis. A detailed check-up by a pediatrician is essential.

Chronic Diseases

• Diabetes Type I: It develops when the pancreas does not produce insulin. It is characterized by excessive thirst, weight loss, and weakness. It requires lifelong follow-up. As a very misleading situation, it has no genetic origin. Genetic predisposition is present in Type 2. Sometimes, Type 2 Diabetes can also develop in children due to childhood obesity. Insulin use is required in children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and the necessary training must be given to the child by a pediatric endocrinologist or an experienced pediatrician.

When to consult a doctor?

If your child has a high fever, breathing difficulties, dehydration, extreme weakness, or rapid deterioration, contact a healthcare provider without waiting.

Your child's health comes first for us. Do not hesitate to contact our clinic if you have any questions or are in any doubt.