Croup
Coup in an infection normally resulting from a common cold or bronchitis. It causes a swelling at the back of the throat along with difficulties in breathing. It usually occurs in young children up to the age of 4. Older children have wider air passages and the condition is less serious and known as laryngitis.Croups can attack at night and can come on rapidly lasting a couple of hours. You will notice it by a distinctive bark or croaking cough. There may be a shortness of breath and wheezing. It is important to watch small children if they have croup as breathing may become difficult and could be life-threatening. Your child will be restless / irritable and have excessive saliva, as well as blueness of lips and face. They will draw for breath below the rib cage in as effort to get more oxygen. If you notice any of these signs you should take your child to the nearest Accident and Emergency department in a hospital. The above is rare - most croup is uncomfortable but not serious and can be treated at home.
Cystic Fibrosis
This is a hereditary disease. Most cases are detected soon after birth. In Cystic Fibrosis the body makes an excess of sticky mucus in the lungs, bowel, pancreas, sweat and salivary glands. This prevents nutrients in food from being properly absorbed.Symptoms will include:
- Poor growth
- Frequent chest infections
- Excessive salt in sweat
- Bowel problems – babies may have sticky stools which cause an obstruction. In some babies the bowels may become blocked. There may also be some vomit of bile and abdominal swelling.
A high calorie diet is needed as the child is not able to absorb all food eaten.
Deafness
There are two main types of deafness – conductive deafness and nerve deafness.Conductive deafness means that the transmission of sound through the ear is obstructed.
This may happen if one of the ears is blocked or damaged
- by wax
- by an inflammation
- by damage – sometimes caused by the perforation of the eardrum through pressure caused by flying or injury
Nerve deafness is a problem contained within the inner ear. The nerve that sends impulses from the ear to the brain, or within the brain is damaged or has not formed adequately. This form of deafness is most typically present from birth. A hearing aid may be necessary.
There may be a problem with your child’s hearing if the following milestones are not met. (children develop at different stages so do not be concerned immediately your child reaches these dates.)
- 6 months: your baby does not respond consistently to sound
- 1 year: your baby has not started babbling with sounds or else started and has stopped
- 2 years: your child does not make two-word phrases or start to echo what they hear
- 2.5 years: you cannot understand what your child is saying
- 3 years: your child is not making sentences or starting to learn rhymes or stories off by heart.
Diabetes
This is caused by an excessive amount of sugar in the blood. It is caused by a shortage of insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, and control the absorption of sugar for use in growth and energy.The cause for diabetes in children is not known but it is thought to be due to some damage to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas possibly by a viral infection.
Symptoms include, excessive thirst, tiredness, frequent passing of urine, weight loss, irritability, smelly breath.
Treatment is for your child to replace insulin through daily injections. Your child’s diet will need to be monitored and a specialist dietician should be consulted.
Diarrhea
This is caused by an irritation of the intestines – frequent watery stools will be passed. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and should be taken seriously in young children. Let your child sleep it off but with easy access to the toilet. Give them frequent amounts of liquid, but avoid acidic drinks. Do not give them food or milk until they feel better and then introduce simple foods such as yogurts and soups. Check their temperature. Wipe their face and body with a cool damp cloth.If your child has diarrhea for more than 12 hours call your doctor.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.childalert.co.uk)
