Early Diagnosis: 4 Conditions to Be on the Lookout For in Young Children

Younger children have a very tough time expressing pain, and that is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to diagnose certain conditions at an early age. While most minor health issues are going to pass on their own, you need to keep an eye out for serious medical problems.

Here is a quick glimpse at four conditions that all parents should be on the lookout for.

Ear Infections
An ear infection occurs when fluid builds up in the ear canal, and it can be extremely painful for young children. Your infant might have an ear infection if they are tugging at one of their ears or crying uncontrollably. Another common symptom of an ear infection is clear or white discharge coming from the ear. Luckily, most ear infections can easily be treated with prescription ear drops, but your pediatrician might also suggest that you give your child a mild painkiller or an anti-inflammatory.

Malocclusion
As your child grows older and their teeth begin to erupt, they might develop a condition known as malocclusion. This term is used to describe a wide variety of alignment issues including gaps between the teeth, overbites, under bites, and overcrowded teeth. When malocclusion is left untreated, it can create a myriad of secondary complications including periodontal disease, tooth decay, and dental fractures. Malocclusion is typically treated with braces, retainers, or alignment trays.

Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory disease that inflames the airways and causes spasms in the lungs. This condition can be caused by many different health complications, and it must be addressed right away if you want your child to avoid lifelong respiratory problems. The most common symptom of asthma is difficulty breathing, and severe breathing issues can lead to major asthma attacks. Asthma is generally treated with long-term medicines that reduce airway inflammation.

Craniosynostosis
Many new parents are surprised to hear that it takes quite a few months for an infant’s skull to fuse together, and severe health problems will occur if the bone fuses too early. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect that takes place when the skull fuses together before the brain has fully formed. Some of the most common symptoms of craniosynostosis include bulging spots in the skull, poor feeding, and projectile vomiting. Restorative surgery is the only way to treat this rare birth defect. Early diagnosis—usually within the first year of life—and treatment are key to getting the best outcome. If you think your child might have some of the early signs, speak to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns.

When it comes to your child’s health, you should always err on the side of caution. In addition to keeping an eye out for these common health issues, you should also schedule regular checkups for your child so that their medical team can catch and treat health complications in their earliest stages.