Childhood Diseases and Disorders

Chapter 20: Childhood Diseases and Disorders

Chapter Objectives

  • 20.1 Define the terminology common to childhood diseases.

  • 20.2 Identify the important signs and symptoms associated with childhood diseases.

  • 20.3 Describe the common diagnostics used to determine the type and cause of childhood diseases.

  • 20.4 Describe the typical course and management of the common childhood diseases.

  • 20.5 State the common drugs abused by children, the effects of the drugs, and the potential health hazards of drug use.

  • 20.6 List the immunizations available to prevent childhood diseases.

  • 20.7 Identify the safety precautions for preventing poisonings in children.

Infectious Diseases

  • Categories:

    • Viral

    • Bacterial

    • Fungal

    • Parasitic

  • Incubation Period: Many diseases have an incubation period.

  • Common Symptoms:

    • Fever

    • Malaise

    • Coughing

Viral Diseases

  • General Treatment: Most viral diseases require symptomatic treatment.

  • Characteristics: Viruses invade the host and may lay dormant, reactivating due to specific triggers (e.g. stress).

Measles (Rubeola)

  • Overview: One of the most serious childhood infectious diseases.

  • Transmission: Commonly spread through contaminated airborne droplets.

  • Symptoms:

    • Fever

    • Runny nose

    • Red maculopapular rash

    • Koplik’s spots (white spots inside the mouth).

Rubella (German Measles)

  • Type: A less contagious form of measles.

  • Risks: In pregnant women, can lead to birth defects.

  • Symptoms:

    • Lymph node enlargement

    • Nasal discharge

    • Joint pain

    • Chills

    • Fever

  • Vaccination: Children and women of childbearing age should be immunized.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • Common Name: Also known as herpes zoster.

  • Contagion: Highly contagious, primarily through respiratory droplets.

  • Symptoms:

    • Classic rash that evolves into vesicles

    • Rash typically appears on the face, trunk, and extremities.

Poliomyelitis

  • Cause: Polio virus.

  • Impact: Immunization has significantly reduced the threat of the disease.

Common Cold

  • Overview: Most frequently occurring viral illness in children.

  • Cause: Primarily caused by rhinovirus.

  • Prevention: Good handwashing is the best preventative measure.

HIV/AIDS

  • Overview: Affects thousands of children, primarily through maternal-fetal transfer.

  • Symptoms: Usually severe; children often suffer and may become orphaned.

  • Treatment Focus: Prevention and symptomatic management.

Bacterial Diseases

  • Causes: Common pathogens include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, and Clostridium.

  • Symptoms:

    • Cough

    • Fever

    • Headache

    • Difficulty breathing

    • Sore throat

  • Management: Treatment is based on the causative agent responsible for the illness.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

  • Symptoms:

    • Catarrhal phase

    • Paroxysmal spasm leading to violent whooping cough.

Diphtheria

  • Overview: Severe inflammatory disease of the respiratory system.

  • Historical Context: Once a leading cause of death among children but now rare due to vaccination.

Tuberculosis

  • Characteristics: Primarily affects the respiratory system, but can be systemic (involving bone, brain, lymph nodes). Increasing number of cases seen in children.

Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

  • Transmission: Spread through the bite of infected insects or contact with infected animals.

  • Prevention: Avoid tick bites to reduce risk.

Fungal Diseases

  • Overview: Typically affect skin or mucous membranes in children.

  • Severity: Generally not severe but may require medical attention to prevent spread.

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

  • Common Location: Often found in an infant's mouth (thrush) or in the diaper area (diaper rash).

  • Prevention: Breastfeeding can help prevent thrush.

  • Management: Diaper rash treated by keeping the area clean and dry.

Tinea (Ringworm)

  • Discussion: A group of fungal infections, details discussed in Chapter 18.

    • Tinea Capitis: Involves the scalp.

    • Tinea Pedis: Affects the feet.

    • Tinea Cruris: Impacts the groin and scrotum.

Parasitic Diseases

  • Overview: Caused by organisms that feed on another organism, often seen in areas with poor nutrition and contaminated water.

  • Common Examples in the U.S.:

Giardiasis

  • Cause: Protozoa infection by Giardia lamblia.

  • Most Affected Group: Young children.

  • Symptoms:

    • Diarrhea

    • Nausea

Pediculosis (Lice Infestation)

  • Overview: Transmitted from human to human by direct contact.

    • Nits: Eggs that can be seen in hair.

Respiratory Diseases

  • Importance: Most common diseases seen by physicians in children.

  • Vulnerability: Children are particularly susceptible due to frequent person-to-person contact.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)

  • Includes:

    • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

    • Infant death of unknown cause

    • Infant suffocation

  • Characteristics: Abrupt and unexplained death of an infant under age 1.

Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)

  • Overview: Upper respiratory infection affecting children aged 3 months to 3 years.

  • Symptoms:

    • Inspiratory stridor (a high-pitched wheezing sound).

Digestive Diseases

  • Overview: Children may face serious development issues due to improper ingestion, digestion, absorption, or elimination of nutrients.

  • Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances: Frequently more severe in children, often caused by vomiting and diarrhea.

    • Colic: Common symptom characterized by gastrointestinal pain, resulting in crying and irritability.

Fluid Imbalances

  • Causes: Can lead to dehydration, which is life-threatening in children.

Food Allergies

  • Prevalence: Most commonly seen in children under age 1.

    • Common Allergens: Cow’s milk and eggs are often culprits.

    • Development: Many allergies resolve after age 5; those arising after age 3 may continue into adulthood.

Eating Disorders

  • Significance: Major issues among children, particularly adolescent females.

  • Common Types:

    • Anorexia Nervosa

    • Bulimia (discussed in detail in Chapter 21).

Cardiovascular Diseases

  • Overview: Most cardiovascular diseases in children stem from genetic or developmental issues. Detailed discussion available in Chapter 19.

Musculoskeletal Diseases

  • Overview: Common in children due to their high activity levels.

    • Range: Encompasses soft tissue injuries, fractures, joint disorders, and degenerative muscle disorders.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCP)

  • Definition: Avascular necrosis of the upper end of the femur that negatively impacts bone growth.

  • Consequences: Untreated LCP may lead to permanent deformities.

Ewing’s Sarcoma

  • Overview: A malignant neoplasm that typically arises before age 20, often in long bones.

  • Demographics: More prevalent in males and is highly malignant with rapid metastasis.

Blood Diseases

Leukemia

  • Definition: A malignancy of blood-forming cells found in bone marrow.

  • Prevalence: It is the most common blood disorder affecting children.

  • Symptoms:

    • Pallor

    • Bleeding or bruising

    • Fatigue

    • Pain in joints, bones, or abdomen.

  • Treatment: It is among the more curable childhood cancers, typically treated with chemotherapy.

Neurologic Diseases

Reye's Syndrome

  • Definition: An acute encephalopathy occurring in children under 15 years old post-viral infection.

  • Cause: Its exact cause remains unknown, but there is an association with aspirin use in febrile illnesses in children.

  • Symptoms:

    • Nausea and vomiting

    • Liver enlargement

    • Lethargy

    • Seizures and coma, often leading to death.

Eye and Ear Diseases

  • Impact: Diseases affecting vision and hearing can have significant effects on a child’s learning and developmental abilities.

Strabismus

  • Definition: Refers to lazy eye or cross-eye.

Deafness

  • Causes:

    • Genetic factors

    • Trauma

    • Infections

    • Exposure to ototoxic drugs.

Trauma

Child Abuse

  • Significance: A serious issue in the United States, often resulting in fatality.

    • Categories: Can be emotional, physical, or sexual harm or neglect.

  • Diagnosis: Emotional abuse may be more challenging to identify than physical abuse.

  • Sexual Abuse: Is particularly prevalent and at epidemic levels.

Suicide

  • Statistics: Second leading cause of death among young individuals.

  • Prevention: Emphasis on early intervention is crucial.

Drug Abuse

  • Context: The abuse of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is increasingly problematic among children and particularly adolescents.

Poisoning

  • Statistics: Among the top five causes of accidental deaths in children under 10 years of age.

    • Common Causes: Often due to household substances like cleaning products, medications, and certain plants.

Knowledge Check Activities

  • 20-1: A common place for children to develop candidiasis is:

    • b. Answer: In the mouth.

  • 20-2: A symptom of mumps is:

    • b. Answer: Ear pain.

Self Assessment

  • Scenario: Discussing the impact of a measles diagnosis on daily life and activities, and exploring treatment options.

Summary

  • Review the chapter objectives online for a comprehensive understanding of the material.