Adenoids in Children
The adenoids are situated at the back of the throat, above the palate and behind the nose. They are similar to the tonsils and have the same function. As a result of repeated minor infections they may become so large that they block the openings of the two fines tubes (the Eustachian tubes) that drain fluid from the middle ear. Fluid will then accumulate in the middle ear, and may interface with its function so that the child becomes deaf. Removal of the adenoids (adenoidectomy) may then be necessary to reopen the drainage channels and restore hearing.
Acne in Children
At puberty, in either sex, there is increased activity in the sebaceous glands, which produce the natural skin oils. As a result, the duct from the gland to the surface of the skin may become blocked, especially when the adolescent has a greasy skin.
The block causes oils to build up in the gland and forces the plug out of the mouth of the duct, forming a blackhead (comedo); alternatively it may so enlarge the gland that yellow pustules are formed. Germs that are normally harmlessly present in the gland may, in these circumstances break down the oils into acids, which then lack out and irritate the surrounding skin. Acne eventually clears up after adolescence, but if it is severe it needs to be controlled if considerable permanent scarring, as well as misery and embarrassment, is to be avoided.
Read MoreAbscess
The body reacts to some invading germs by building a wall of tough fibrous material around the infected area. Large numbers of white blood cells then pass into the cavity to kill off the germs. A thick creamy fluid, pus, is formed from the dead white cells and germs. The pressure inside this abscess builds up until it either bursts or is lanced by a doctor. Once the pus has been let out, the acute inflammation subsides and finally heals over, leaving a scar.
Read MoreAnemia in Children
Anemia is a deficiency in either the red blood cells or in the hemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. The majority of children thought to be anemic usually just have naturally pale complexions. The only reliable way for a doctor to diagnose anemia is to measure the amount of pigment hemoglobin in the patient’s blood. If anemia is present, however, it requires investigation, are has may causes. Among them is poor diet, failure to absorb an adequate diet, lead poisoning, iron deficiency, internal bleeding, or a disorder of the bone marrow that prevents production of the red blood cells.
Read MoreAphasia in Children
This term refers to the loss of or reduced ability to speak, write, or to understand the meaning of words due to brain damage resulting from such varied factors as cerebral vascular accident (strokes), tumors, penetrating wounds, and diseases that produce brain damage. The brain is divided into two hemispheres; normal adult language is controlled by the left hemisphere regardless of whether the individual is left or right handed. This dominance is not well established in young children and a newborn infant or an infant with damage to the left hemisphere develops language normally with the right hemisphere. As the child gets older the left hemisphere dominance becomes stronger and its ability to recover from injury to this hemisphere declines, thus a two or three year old suffering from damage to the left hemisphere will lose his language to some degree, but within months the right hemisphere will take over the language function and language development will be normal.
Read MoreAnorexia Nervosa in Children
This is a serious and comparatively rare condition characterized by a resistant refusal to eat and marked loss of weight. Most commonly the disorder occurs in teenage girls; only about one in fifteen cases of anorexia are in male.
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