1. Bronchiolitis
It is a common lung infection among children. It is caused by congestion and inflammation in the bronchioles of the lungs. The peak time for the condition is the winter season.
The condition starts out with symptoms similar to that of a common cold. For the first few days, the symptoms will be:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- A cough
- Slight fever
After some time, the child will start having difficulty in breathing. Some infants might also develop an ear infection. You should seek medical attention immediately if your child showcases any of the following symptoms:
- Audible wheezing sounds
- Labored breathing
- Vomiting
- Fast breathing
- Skin turning blue
- Lethargic appearance
Bronchiolitis is caused when the bronchioles are infected by a virus. The infection causes the bronchioles to swell and get inflamed. Mucus gets collected in the airways making the air flow difficult.
The most common cause of the condition is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. This virus can easily spread by touching shared objects of someone who is sick. Infants younger than 3 months of age are at a higher risk as their lungs and immune system aren’t completely developed. Apart from this, premature birth, underlying heart or lung condition, exposure to tobacco smoke, a depressed immune system, living in crowded space, contact with multiple kids, never having been breastfed, etc. are some of the conditions that put your kid at a higher risk.
2. Cerebral Palsy (CP)
It is a group of disorders that affect the movement and coordination of the muscles. In some cases, hearing, vision, and sensation can be affected too.
CP’s symptoms may vary from person to person, depending on which part of the brain was affected. Some have trouble in sitting and walking while others have difficulty in grasping objects. Over time, the symptoms can become less or more severe. Some of the common symptoms are:
- Lack of coordination
- Tremors
- Stiff muscles
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Delay in motor skills milestones and speech development
- Variation in muscle tone
- Difficulty in walking
- Excessive drooling
- Seizures, blindness, and intellectual disabilities
- Favoring one side of the body
- Problem in swallowing
CP can be caused by an injury or abnormal brain development. The damage affects the part of the brain responsible for posture, coordination, and movement. It usually occurs before birth but doesn’t show any signs till the first years of life.
The exact cause of the condition is unknown. Here are some possible causes:
- Brain infection
- Head injury
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Jaundice
- Maternal infection
- Gene mutation
- Asphyxia neonatorum
3. Pediatric brain tumor
It is a condition in which there is a growth of abnormal cells in the brain or the tissues that are near it. Some of the tumors are benign while others are malignant. Treatment of the brain tumor depends on its type, whether it has spread or not, its location, age, and overall health of the child.
The symptoms of a brain tumor vary greatly in different children. Some of them might not be so easy to detect. A few common symptoms include:
- Frequent and severe headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vision problems
- Increased pressure in the head
- Seizure
- Soft spot on the skull
- Trouble in swallowing
- Slurred speech
- Abnormal eye movement
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble in walking
- Confusion and irritation
- Memory problems
- Weakness in arm or leg
- Difficulty maintaining balance
The exact cause of pediatric brain tumor is unknown. Most of the tumors are primary brain tumors that start in the brain or tissues near it. It begins when normal cells have mutations in the DNA allowing them to grow at an increased rate. They continue living while the healthy cells die. This results in the formation of a mass of abnormal cells known as a tumor.