In a child's journey of growth, every fall and every complaint is considered a necessary part of growth. However, when these pains move beyond the usual "growing pains" and become persistent and unexplained symptoms, they may be silently revealing deeper health concerns. Especially when children repeatedly complain of "sore bones", which is not just a simple complaint, but can hide serious health problems - such as leukemia.
Leukemia, the word is daunting in any family. It is a type of cancer that affects the body's ability to make blood, and in children, its early symptoms are often misinterpreted as part of growing up or as a minor health problem. This misconception, combined with a lack of understanding of the early symptoms of leukemia, poses a potential danger that hinders timely diagnosis and**.
When a child exhibits persistent fatigue and lack of energy, it's not just part of growing up. This unexplained fatigue, especially when accompanied by normal sleep and rest, should be seen as a warning sign. Against this background, unusual changes may be taking place in the body, such as impaired hematopoiesis, affecting the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body, and insufficient amounts of them can lead to a lack of oxygen**, which can lead to fatigue.
To distinguish this fatigue from general fatigue, observe whether the child has a persistent lack of energy and other accompanying symptoms, such as pallor or shortness of breath. These can be signs of damage to the hematopoietic system in the body. Parents are advised to seek medical advice and perform the necessary blood tests to rule out potential health problems when such symptoms are observed.
If your child's temperature rises frequently and unreasonably, even after taking antibiotics, it may be an important sign that your child's immune system is responding to an internal abnormality. Unlike a general infection, this fever is often not accompanied by obvious other symptoms of infection, such as cough or runny nose, but is a more insidious abnormality in body temperature.
This persistent low-grade or intermittent high fever may be the result of an increase in leukemia cells in the blood, interfering with the body's normal functioning. The abnormal increase in body temperature is because the immune system is constantly trying to fight these abnormal cells, but due to the nature of leukemia cells, conventional antibiotics are ineffective.
Parents should keep an eye on changes in their child's body temperature and watch for other accompanying symptoms, such as night sweating or unexplained weight loss. Once these symptoms appear, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible for an in-depth examination, including blood analysis, so that the problem can be detected early.
The sudden appearance of ecchymosis or punctate bleeding on a child**, especially in the absence of obvious trauma, is another sign that should not be ignored. These symptoms may be a direct manifestation of a decrease in the number of platelets, an important component that helps blood clot and prevent bleeding.
The decrease in the number of platelets may be due to an increase in leukemia cells in the bone marrow, compressing or replacing normal blood cell production, including platelets. Blood tests should be considered when a child is observed to have an abnormal bleeding tendency, such as nosebleeds that are difficult to stop or large ecchymosis from a minor bump, should be considered.
Loss of appetite and consequent weight loss can be due to a variety of factors in children. However, if the condition persists and does not improve with dietary modifications or other conventional methods, further ** the reason behind it is needed. Leukemia can affect your child's metabolism and nutrient absorption, leading to decreased appetite and weight loss.
This weight loss is not just as simple as malnutrition, but the body expends a lot of energy trying to fight the leukemia cells. As a result, your child may lose weight even if the amount of food they eat is not significantly reduced. Parents should seek medical advice and conduct a comprehensive physical examination to ensure early detection and treatment of potential health problems when they notice such changes in their child.