{"id":662,"date":"2022-12-21T05:58:42","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T05:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=662"},"modified":"2022-12-22T06:02:07","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T06:02:07","slug":"most-common-pediatric-health-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/pediatric-medications\/most-common-pediatric-health-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Most Common Pediatric Health Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pediatric health conditions can range from common colds to preventable diseases such as chickenpox.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Children don&#8217;t usually require hospitalization as a result of pediatric health conditions.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Parents should discuss their child&#8217;s condition with a doctor if they have any concerns.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Pediatric health conditions are a key source of anxiety for many parents. Fortunately, most children are resilient and often bounce back quickly. As a parent, it may help you to understand common pediatric health conditions and your child&#8217;s treatment options.\u00a0<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h2>About Pediatric Health Conditions<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pediatric health conditions commonly affect those who are under the age of 18. Thanks to advances in vaccination programs, once-deadly diseases such as measles and polio are no longer a major concern. The most common pediatric health conditions of today are often easy to treat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, most children live in a healthy state. Children account for around a quarter of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2017\/cb17-tps38-population-estimates-single-year-age.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but represent less than 2 percent of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wonder.cdc.gov\/cmf-icd10.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">annual deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, your child is likely to encounter several unpleasant illnesses as they grow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the ten most common pediatric health conditions all parents should know about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Gastroenteritis<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2.jpeg-38.jpg\" alt=\"Little girl eating\" width=\"512\" height=\"343\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gastroenteritis is a catch-all term your pediatrician may use to describe stomach bugs. Its symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some children may have a fever and a reduced appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK513295\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1.5 million people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> visit their doctor with gastroenteritis each year. One of the biggest side effects your child may experience is dehydration. You\u2019ll want to offset the effects of vomiting and diarrhea by making sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child shows signs of dehydration, has a fever, is in a lot of pain, or you&#8217;re worried, speak to a medical professional. Otherwise, some of the more typical treatments for gastro include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rehydration sachets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-diarrhea medications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Bronchiolitis<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/3.jpeg-35.jpg\" alt=\"A boy in the snow\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child may encounter lots of coughs and colds as they get older. One that&#8217;s particularly distressing to see is bronchiolitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a viral infection that fills small airways called bronchioles with mucus, bronchiolitis causes a nasty cough. It may also cause your child to struggle with their breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK441959\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bronchiolitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is more common in the first year of life, where around 11 to 15 percent of children develop it. Not all of those children need hospitalization, though. Bronchiolitis is a viral infection, which doesn&#8217;t benefit from antibiotics, and the main aim of treatment is to make your child more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment options for bronchiolitis include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saline nasal sprays<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral corticosteroids<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ibuprofen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Ear Infection<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 50 percent of children will have at least one <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2759422#:~:text=About%2050%25%20of%20all%20children,is%203%20to%2024%20months\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ear infection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by age two. They can be caused by any of a range of bacteria and viruses. They usually affect your child&#8217;s middle ear canal, which is the small space behind the eardrum.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child is young, they may not be able to express their symptoms. However, you might notice that they tug at one ear, become fussy, and don&#8217;t respond as usual to sounds. Other symptoms can include ear pain, fever, loss of balance, and fluid drainage from the ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child should recover quickly, but you can support them with age-appropriate pain relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ear infection treatment options include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics (if bacterial)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anesthetic ear drops<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ibuprofen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever)<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/4.jpeg-15.jpg\" alt=\"Man walking with the kids\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal allergies arise at certain times of the year. Your child may start showing symptoms as grass pollen grows or when trees pollinate. If their immune system recognizes the pollens as an allergy, they&#8217;ll release histamine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The effects of histamine are uncomfortable. Itchy eyes, blocked noses, and red eyes are all common symptoms. Around 7 percent of children experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/allergies.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seasonal allergies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a pediatric health condition that may reappear each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms are usually mild, so you can care for your child at home. If they appear severe, however, do ask your doctor for help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common treatments include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing exposure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nasal antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergy shots (immunotherapy)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eczema<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eczema is an irritating condition that causes the skin to become dry and itchy. Just under 13 percent of children experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4118692\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eczema<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are many forms of eczema; the most common is atopic dermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eczema symptoms may include dry and itchy skin, redness, scaling, and oozing. In babies, eczema usually appears on the cheeks, knees, and elbows. Older children may develop it inside their wrists, behind their knees, and at the elbows and ankles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s unusual for eczema to become infected, but if you notice signs of infection, take your child to their pediatrician.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical treatments may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moisturizer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical steroids<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical anti-inflammatories<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phototherapy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Common Cold<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common colds are usually seasonal and harmless. Young children may catch <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/lung-health-diseases\/lung-disease-lookup\/facts-about-the-common-cold#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20colds,to%20eight%20colds%20per%20year.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">six to eight colds per year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your child might have symptoms such as a blocked nose, sore throat, headache, and general aches. You may also see them sneezing and coughing. Fortunately, most colds are self-limiting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use treatments to support your child, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saline nasal sprays<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ibuprofen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decongestants<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Constipation<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child has infrequent bowel movements or struggles to poop, they may be constipated. Fortunately, constipation is usually a temporary change in response to toilet training and new diets. Around 10 percent of children may experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19274784\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">constipation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can help your child by introducing more fiber to their diet in the form of fruit and vegetables. Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids, too, as this can soften their stools. If they become anxious about using the toilet or experience a lot of pain, speak to a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common treatments for constipation include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiber supplements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laxatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stool softeners\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glycerin suppositories<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Asthma<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/5.jpeg-1.jpg\" alt=\"Little boy jumping\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just under 6 percent of children experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/asthma\/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">asthma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If your child coughs a lot, particularly when they have a viral illness or are exposed to cold, they may need a formal diagnosis. Other symptoms include wheezing, struggling to breathe during exercise, and chest tightness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asthma isn&#8217;t a condition your doctor can cure, and it may last beyond childhood. However, your pediatrician can prescribe supportive medicines that can reduce symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatments for childhood asthma include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corticosteroid inhalers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leukotriene modifiers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combination inhalers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Theophylline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immunomodulatory agents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sore Throat<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-663\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/6.jpeg-1.jpg\" alt=\"Girl singing and playing the guitar\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most sore throats are caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Although they&#8217;re not pleasant, most sore throats don&#8217;t need medical attention. However, around 30 percent of cases doctors see are due to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/sore-throat-in-children-beyond-the-basics\/print\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strep A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which may require antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child&#8217;s sore throat is very painful, is accompanied by a fever above 101.1, or they seem fatigued, speak to a doctor. Otherwise, you should find that plenty of fluids and rest will help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-the-counter medications can help with symptoms. Possible treatment options include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lozenges (older children)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ibuprofen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throat sprays<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Chickenpox<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus, but it&#8217;s preventable with a vaccine. Your child&#8217;s symptoms usually start with an itchy blister that turns into a widespread rash. They&#8217;re also likely to feel tired, develop a fever, and lose their appetite. Usually, the symptoms of chickenpox last between 10 and 20 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with most viral illnesses, chickenpox doesn&#8217;t have a specific treatment. Your child may benefit from supportive treatments, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calamine lotion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Managing Pediatric Health Conditions<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A combination of rest and over-the-counter treatments is usually enough to manage many pediatric health conditions. In many cases, this is because the cause is viral. While viral infections aren&#8217;t pleasant, they don&#8217;t often result in serious illness in children (although they certainly can).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacterial infections, such as some ear or throat infections, on the other hand, can be treated with antibiotics. However, because of the rising problem of antibiotic-resistant organisms, many pediatricians are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics when the child\u2019s immune system will usually resolve the infection on its own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a parent, it helps you to know when your little one needs medical care. Always speak to a medical professional if your intuition tells you something is wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Find the Lowest Prices for Pediatric Health Conditions With BidRx<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BidRx offers an easy way for you to access medications to support your child while they recover. You can compare prices from a number of pharmacies and collect your prescription from a convenient location. Alternatively, you can order medications to your door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find treatments for multiple pediatric health conditions on our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medication page <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and help your child recover comfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights\u00a0\u00a0 Pediatric health conditions can range from common colds to preventable diseases such as chickenpox.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":668,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pediatric-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=662"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":671,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662\/revisions\/671"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}