Rarer and Serious Conditions

As parents, we have evolved over many thousands of years to be hypervigilant when it comes to watching over our children’s health. As such, it is natural for us to closely observe them, looking out for signs and symptoms of any kind of illness, from the mildest to the most serious.

In the vast majority of cases, our worries are likely to be without cause for any serious alarm. However, for a rare and unfortunate few, such worries may be justified and in some even rarer cases may ultimately lead to diagnosis of a rare childhood illness or condition.

Some of the rarer illnesses and conditions that can affect babies and young children include the following:

• • Sepsis: this infection is most common in newborns and children under three months and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Meningitis: an infection of the membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain which requires immediate medical attention.
  • Neuroblastoma: affects around one in 70,000 children each year (typically in children under five)
  • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS): this congenital heart defect affects about one in 5,000 children. Usually diagnosed at birth, symptoms include drowsiness, respiratory problems and problems eating.
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD): affects about one in 20,000 children. This inherited condition can lead to severe lung disease unless treated early.
  • Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID): affects about one in 100,000 children. Because it affects the immune system, children with SCID need to be carefully isolated.
  • Long segment tracheal stenosis: this rare condition affects the trachea (windpipe) and can cause serious respiratory distress.
  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): affects about one in every 3,500 male births. This condition begins in the leg muscles but quickly progresses to other muscle groups.

Evidence-based resources for parents

My BabyManual’s expert contributors have created a resource of evidence-based articles to help you better understand the important issues and conditions that can affect children and babies in the early years. Begin browsing our library of articles today.