1. Nasal Congestion

A common cause of blocked nose in a baby is an infection or allergy resulting in nasal congestion with purulent or watery discharge.

2. Enlarged Adenoid Glands

Adenoid glands (pharyngeal tonsils) are located in the roof of the throat, behind the nose. They usually start to shrink after about age 5 and usually disappear until teenage years. Enlarged adenoid glands (adenoids) can be present from birth or can become temporary enlarged during an infection (adenoiditis), especially in early childhood. Symptoms are breathing through the mouth, snoring, difficult swallowing and throaty voice. When there is no infection, there is also no nasal discharge. A common complications are sinusitis and infection of the middle ear. If problems are constant, adenoids should be surgically removed (adenoidectomy). Sometimes adenoids are enlarged from no obvious reason and often shrink without treatment so pediatrician should be consulted about removal.

continue reading What Causes Blocked Nose in a Baby and Small Child?

A major concern for many parents as the mother approaches full term  is the complications that may arise after delivery,  particularly breathing problems that may affect the newborn. At birth, the focus of the attending physician is to assure healthy and spontaneous breathing of the newborn as any impediment may result in damage to the brain tissue or even death.

However in certain cases, problems with adequate ventilation may arise, especially in high risk pregnancies.

continue reading Newborn Breathing Problems (Birth Asphyxia) Neonatal

Cystic Fibrosis (Mucoviscidosis)

Cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) is a recessive genetic disorder in which viscous mucus is excreted from bronchial glands, pancreas, sweat and salivary glands. Cysts and fibrosis in the pancreas affect its enzyme excretion resulting in fat malabsorption and leading to mucous, fatty diarrhea. Excessive excretion of bronchial glands causes chronic respiratory infection. Diagnosis is by detecting increased concentration of salt in the sweat.

For affected infants, breastfeeding is recommended; a dietitian should advise about diet for other children. Supportive treatment is through antibiotics, mucus thinning drugs, enzyme and nutrient supplements. Affected persons can expect to live until their 30-40th year of age; a common cause of death is respiratory failure. If both parents carry the defective gene, 25% of children stand a chance of developing the disease, 50% of them will likely be carriers with one defective gene and no symptoms and 25%  of them will likely have no defective gene.

continue reading Diarrhea in Children With Rare Genetic Disorders – Treatment

Bowel Surgery

Abdominal (or other) surgery may trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), derange the normal gut flora or cause a bowel infection, all of which may result in diarrhea.

Dumping Syndrome (Rapid Gastric Emptying)

Within 6 months after a partial or complete surgical removal of the stomach or damage of its exit (pylorus), rapid stomach emptying may develop: undigested food from the stomach quickly entering the duodenum may drag water from intestinal vessels into intestinal hollow and 10-60 minutes after a meal the following symptoms may appear: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dizziness and rapid heartbeat.

continue reading Diarrhea After Surgery – Diet & Treatment

What is Dehydration?

Dehydration – the lack of water in the body – is a result of water loss greater than intake.

Intestinal Water Absorption and Diarrhea

A healthy adult gets about 9 litres of water (from digestive juices and dietary intake) into the bowel daily, but excretes only 100-200 ml of it with the stool, since most of it is re-absorbed from the bowel into the blood; amount of water that body does not need is then excreted in the urine. A healthy adult can drink up to 20 litres of fluids in one day without having diarrhea.

continue reading Dehydration in Diarrhea – Symptoms & Treatment in Infants & Adults

Causes of Night Terrors (Sleep Terror)

Night terrors are a sleep disorder categorized as parasomnia, affecting non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. There are no definitive causes of a night terror although some contributing factors may be responsible for night terrors.

• Teething in children (infants, babies, toddlers)
• Fevers
• Pain or discomfort
• Abuse, trauma or stress (physical, emotional, verbal or sexual)

continue reading Causes & Treatment of Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus)

Night terrors or sleep terrors occur more frequently in children (babies, infants and toddlers) although it can affect any age group. Night terrors more often affect children under the age of 5 years of age often peaking at the 3 year age bracket. A young child experiencing a night terror may ‘awaken’ screaming, crying and hysterical and may need to be consoled before falling asleep. Unlike nightmares, children experiencing a night terror do not remember the experience and may go back to sleep immediately after experiencing a night terror.

continue reading Night Terrors in Young Children – Baby, Infant, Toddlers

Night terrors (sleep terror or pavor nocturnus) are a sleep disorder characterized by sudden crying, screaming, sweating, apparent fear and hysteria while asleep. A person experiencing a night terror is not awake and may often go back to sleep without recollecting the events. However a sufferer may awaken and continue to display the symptoms of a night terror for a few minutes after waking. Night terrors often occur in the non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep.

A night terror differs from a nightmare and can affect any age group (infants, toddlers, young children, teens and adults) although it is more common in children under 5 years of age.

continue reading What are Night Terrors and Nightmares?

Persistent insomnia (sleeplessness)  in children can be caused by a number of factors and should be taken seriously as children are known for being able to sleep well compared to adults. Child insomnia varies in definition depending on the age group, pattern of sleeplessness and associated signs and symptoms of insomnia.
continue reading Causes of Child Insomnia – Children, Infant, Toddler, Teen

A swollen lymph node or gland is a term commonly used to describe lymphadenopathy, a condition associated with enlarged lymph nodes in a specific area of the body (localized) or throughout the entire body (generalized lymphadenopathy). Lymphadenopathy is an indicator of a disorder affecting a certain area of the body or a generalized condition throughout the body.

continue reading Swollen Lymph Nodes, Glands – Lymphedema, Lymphadenopathy