Bronchiolitis is a very common lung infection that occurs in young children, typically those under 2 years old, and is caused by a virus. The bronchioles are small airways in the lungs, branching off the two main bronchi, and the ‘itis’ part of bronchiolitis means inflammation, so bronchiolitis is inflammation and congestion of these small airways. Symptoms of bronchiolitis start off similarly to a cold with a blocked and runny nose, cough, and possibly fever. Children can also sound quite wheezy. Bronchiolitis is most commonly caused by a virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the winter months and often it gets better on its own. In about 20% of cases of all ages, hospital admission may be required and it’s thought that up to 1 in 3 young children get bronchiolitis at some time.
It’s very common for babies to suffer from dry skin and eczema, and it can first emerge before or around 6 months. It affects about a quarter of children with up to 60% of them developing it during their first year of life. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but genetics are thought to play a major role, so it’s more common if someone in your family has eczema, allergies, or asthma, or if they have light skin and hair. It may also be triggered by environmental factors such as central heating, hard water and the use of soaps. The good news is that even though children may develop eczema in childhood, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will have it forever as many of them grow out of it by 5-6 years old. And - with the right attention to triggers, moisturizing routine and recognition of flare-ups - it can be treated more effectively.
Diaper rash is a very common skin infection that occurs in young children as a reaction to urine or poop. A fungal infection called candida is often involved in causing inflamed skin, leaving a very bright red notable rash around the genitals. The skin can also become hot, sore, and blister-filled. Rarely, it is caused by other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Neonatal jaundice is when newborn babies develop yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is a harmless condition and fairly common, affecting around 6 out of 10 babies. Oxygen is carried by red blood cells in the body, and when these red blood cells break down, they create bilirubin. Bilirubin is then cleared from the body by the liver. However, neonatal jaundice occurs when there is excess bilirubin in the blood. A newborn baby’s liver is still developing and has not perfected the art of removing bilirubin from the blood by the time they are born. For this reason, it occurs more commonly in babies born prematurely. You may notice jaundice on their skin, although, in darker-skinned babies, this might be harder to pick up. Yellowing can also be seen in the whites of the eyes, on the palms and soles, and in the mouth. The poop may be very pale, and the pee may be very dark. Your baby may also be sleepy and not feed very well. The symptoms tend to develop 2 to 3 days after birth and get better after a few weeks on their own once the liver is more developed. Some cases may require treatment if the bilirubin level is very high.
Whooping cough is a common bacterial infection that affects the airways and lungs, usually in toddlers and children. It’s spread from one child to another by coughs and sneezes and is highly contagious. There are many different types of coughs in children, so it is important to be able to differentiate. Doctors call whooping cough pertussis. It causes a persistent cough that can last for several months. For this reason, it is also referred to as the 100-day cough. Hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into tissues immediately disposed of, and staying away from others while they are infectious are paramount to reduce the spread. Pertussis vaccination forms one part of the usual childhood immunizations.
Parents are understandably anxious about the rise in Group A strep cases currently. Streptococcus A is a very common bacterial infection affecting those from 4 to 14 years old, and it usually causes a mild sore throat and fever. Although rare, some children contract an invasive form of Group A Streptococcus (iGAS), leading to severe illness requiring hospital treatment and possible threat to life. Advice from the public health bodies has emphasized presenting your child when they appear very unwell, but what does this mean? Let’s talk you through how to recognize the signs, when to seek help and when to worry.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs as a consequence of women drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. It covers a wide range of symptoms and affects each baby differently. Examples include facial changes and learning disabilities, trouble with coordination or attention and hyperactivity. It can also affect the kidneys, bones, and the heart, and cause growth problems. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is often used interchangeably, but more specifically describes certain collections of symptoms related to damage by alcohol during pregnancy, of which FAS is the most severe end of the spectrum. Symptoms may be subtle and there may be no physical signs, but it’s thought to be underdiagnosed, and numbers have risen in recent years along with alcohol abuse.
Cradle cap, a type of seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition common in babies. It usually occurs in their first six weeks of life. It causes yellow scaly patches on the scalp or face that can appear oily. A red rash can emerge under the scales or in folds of skin, such as the groin area. In most cases, this gets better on its own over two to eight weeks. It is not harmful to your baby and should not cause them discomfort or to be unwell. Adults do not get cradle cap, but they may suffer other forms of seborrheic dermatitis, such as dandruff or a red, flaky rash over their nose and cheeks.
Croup is a common airway infection affecting babies and young children. It usually affects those between six months and three years old but can affect younger and older children too. It affects the upper airways – the throat and nose – to cause a distinctive barking cough and a harsh sound (stridor) when they breathe in. A low-grade fever and blocked or runny nose, and a hoarse voice may also develop. Croup is commonly caused by a virus called the parainfluenza virus. Usually, croup can be managed at home and clears up within 24 to 48 hours. However, if children also develop difficulty breathing or look short of breath, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.
Colic is a prevalent condition in babies, and symptoms vary, but there's usually fussing and crying for a prolonged period of time. Some babies can look like they are in intense pain and either scream inconsolably or fuss and whimper constantly. Some babies can sometimes clench their fists, arch their backs, and even go red in the face. Prolonged crying means that a baby can swallow air, usually harmless. If this is the case, passing gas can sometimes provide them with some relief.
Thrush is caused by a fungal infection called candida, which can enter and affect the breast and nipple area in breastfeeding women. This can happen when the nipples become cracked or sore because the latch or position is incorrect. Thrush can develop after a course of antibiotics, as antibiotics can reduce the number of good bacteria that help fight infections like fungus. Thrush on the breast can also cause breastfed babies to develop thrush in their mouths.
Tonsillitis occurs when a viral or bacterial infection causes the tonsils – immune-fighting glands at the back of the mouth – to become inflamed. You get a sore throat causing pain on swallowing and possibly earache, and you may be able to see or feel that one side of the throat is more swollen from the outside. Your tonsils will likely look red, possibly with some white dots (pus) on them. You might have a high fever, headache and generally feel pretty unwell. Children and young adults are more likely to suffer tonsillitis. Most infections are viral and therefore don't respond to antibiotics – they get better on their own after about a week. Viral tonsillitis can often present with general symptoms of a cold, such as a runny or blocked nose and a cough. Some things make a sore throat or tonsillitis more likely to be bacterial, which may require antibiotics to help your body recover. A bacterial infection is generally more likely if you have the following symptoms: no symptoms of a cold such as a cough if you have a fever higher than 100°F swollen lymph nodes in your neck white spots on a very large tonsil or symptoms have developed quickly, within 24 hours When your doctor is deciding whether the cause is viral or bacterial, they will sometimes use evidence-based scores that help to determine the likelihood of bacterial infections. If the cause is likely viral, antibiotics won't help - the infection will get better on its own. The majority of tonsillitis cases will improve on their own; however, it is important to stay hydrated and rest to help your body fight the infection. You can take over-the-counter pain relief to help with any pain, and your pharmacist can advise you on this. Your pharmacist can also advise you on lozenges and throat sprays to help with a sore throat.