Pediatrics in Massachusetts, Newton Center

Symptoms of Childhood Illness

 The most common symptoms occurring in children with diseases, may be as follows:

• Elevated body temperature, fever (in cases beginning of inflammatory processes in the child's body);
• Disorders of consciousness can occur in diabetes, birth injuries, infectious toxicosis, diseases of the heart or lungs;
• at a childhood anemia appear dizziness, weakness, apathy;
• In diseases of the heart and kidneys in children can manifest swelling of the eyelids or legs;
• Pain syndrome which is localized in focal places of inflammatory processes, in pyelonephritis - pain being felt in the lumbar region and with pneumonia - in the thoracic cavity;
• Diseases of the respiratory system - shortness of breath, cough, sputum production;
• Heart and vascular diseases in children: rapid heart rate, rhythm pathology, pain in the heart, shortness of breath when walking and running;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bowel, frequent regurgitation (in infants), a decrease in appetite and a complete rejection of food, constipation or diarrhea, bloating;
• When blood diseases cause bleeding through the nose or intestinal bleeding, pallor of the child and numbness in the extremities;
• Allergy symptoms: rash, redness, itching, ulcerated neoplasms.

The Diagnostic Capabilities of Pediatrics

- General clinical research (complete blood count and urinalysis, blood chemistry);
- Chest X-ray;
- Electrocardiography;
- Ultrasonography.

Treatment

 Any diseases in childhood involves comprehensive and timely proper treatment, and includes the appointment of appropriate regime and diet, physioprocedures and reception of medical products:

• Antibiotics (for the treatment of pathogenic microflora) are used under strict supervision of a doctor and his recommendations;
• Vitamin Complexes appointed for adjustment of the metabolic processes in the body of the child;
• Antitussive drugs,uroseptic, hormones, anti-ulcer and pain medication.

Prevention

• A full hygienic and physiological care of the child;
• Observance of the regime of rational nutrition (depending on the age group to which the child belongs);
• Regular wet cleaning, in which there are children, their airing;
• Isolated from contact with sick children or adults;
• Consumption of plenty of vegetables and fruits;
• Reception of seasonal multivitamin and tempering the child's body;
• Receiving antiviral drugs, vaccines.

If a children's body is predisposed to a pediatric disease, the doctor-pediatrician should develop a comprehensive technique of prophylactic measures that should be conducted with the child under the medical supervision.