7 Common Issues in Children That May Indicate Serious Diseases

SadaNews - Children frequently fall ill, which is a well-known fact. A mild cough, stomach disturbance, or low-grade fever does not always ring alarm bells.

 

However, certain health complaints that persist in children should not be overlooked, as they could be signs of something more serious, according to the Times of India, and they are as follows:

1. Recurring Bone Pain

Persistent pain in the same area, especially in the arms or thighs, which worsens at night or is accompanied by fatigue or swelling, can be an early sign of bone diseases in children or even leukemia.

Bone pain in children that does not disappear over time or is severe enough to disrupt sleep requires medical attention.

2. Swollen Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes swell during infections, but if they remain swollen for more than two weeks, or if they feel hard or are excessively elastic, it may indicate more serious issues such as lymphoma or chronic infections like tuberculosis.

According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, the size, duration, and location of lymph node enlargement play a crucial role in determining the underlying cause.

3. Excessive Fatigue Without Effort

If fatigue becomes a daily pattern, even after a restful night’s sleep, it can be a silent signal from the body.

Conditions like iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid disorders, or even juvenile diabetes can begin with prolonged low energy levels.

Doctors often recommend checking vitamin levels, blood sugar, and thyroid function in such cases.

4. Frequent Morning Vomiting

Frequent vomiting in the morning, especially without any other symptoms of gastroenteritis, can be serious.

Pediatric neurologists indicate that this may be a subtle symptom of increased pressure in the brain, which may sometimes result from brain tumors or migraines in children.

According to a study, if vomiting is accompanied by headaches or changes in vision, it requires immediate attention.

5. Academic Decline or Behavioral Changes

Sudden memory loss or difficulty focusing, along with noticeable mood changes, may indicate neurological or metabolic disorders.

According to a study, early epilepsy and certain types of encephalitis, as well as brain tumors in children, can first present as behavioral or cognitive deterioration long before any physical symptoms appear.

6. Chronic Abdominal Pain

Chronic abdominal pain can sometimes mask more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other infections that may not be detected in basic tests.

If the pain is accompanied by weight loss, blood in the stool, or growth delays, pediatric gastroenterologists recommend further examinations.

7. Frequent Nosebleeds

When nosebleeds become frequent and are accompanied by unexplained bruising on the body, especially in soft tissue areas like thighs or arms, it may be an early indicator of rare conditions such as platelet disorders or early leukemia.