COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN

Common health Brief description with Diagnostic test and purpose Nursing diagnoses (1 Nursing interventions Rationale
problems S&S highest priority)
1. Intussusceptions - is a serious condition in -Pain related to abnormal 1. Assess pain with PQRST 1. Monitor and provide
which part of the intestine peristalsis. technique. an overview of the characteristics of
slides into an adjacent the client and the pain indicators in
part of the intestine. Air or barium subsequent interventions.
enema. An air or barium
Other frequent signs and
enema is basically enhanced .
symptoms of imaging of the colon. During
intussusception include: the procedure, the doctor will
insert air or liquid barium
Stool mixed with into the colon through the
rectum.
blood and mucus
(sometimes referred
to as "currant jelly"
stool because of its
appearance)

Vomiting

A lump in the
abdomen

Lethargy

Diarrhea
 Fever

2. Failure to thrive - is often defined as a - a complete health and dietary - Imbalanced nutrition 1. assess stools for pH. 1. if a stool tests positive for glucose
weight for age that falls history. 2. nurture the child they need or has an acid pH, it suggest that not
below the 5th percentile effective nurturing from the nurse even carbohydrates, the easiest food
on multiple occasions or who care. to absorb, are being processed.
weight deceleration that 3. support and encourage parents 2. they need effective nurturing from
crosses two major of children with failure to thrive to the nurse who care.
percentile lines on a visits as much as possible while 3. because without encouragement,
growth chart, use of any the child is hospitalized or in these parents may visit a little bit of
single indicator has a low foster care. time or not at all.
positive predictive value.
3. sudden infant death - Sudden infant death - Appropriate blood and urine - Grieving related to 1. help parents deal with their 1. allowing them more emotional
syndrome syndrome (SIDS) is the tests. Radiography and sudden death of the child. feelings. reserve to meet the needs of their
unexplained death, computed tomography (CT) 2. provide information regarding other children and remaining famiy
usually during sleep, of a when warranted. A 12- the causes of childs death. member.
seemingly healthy baby lead electrocardiogram (ECG 3. reassure to the parents that the 2. so that the parent have knowledge
less than a year old. SIDS ) Electroencephalography death of their child is not their on how to prevent this on the future,
is sometimes known as (EEG), if indicated by findings fault. and to decrease fear and anxiety.
crib death because the from the history or physical 3. to decrease feelings.
infants often die in their examination.
cribs.

4. Colic - Baby colic, also known - physical exam to identify any - Compromised family 1. make suggestions as needed to 1. infant with different caretakers
as infantile colic, is possible causes for the babys coping related to difficulty see if different caregivers use can have difficulty adjusting to
defined as episodes of distress, such as blockage in managing infant crying consistency in care. changing feeding techniques.
crying for more than three babys intestines. episodes. 2. caution parent that crying in 2. acknowledging frustrations helps
hours a day, for more than infants produce frustration in to alleviate feelings. Time away can
three days a week, for adults. help relieve tension.
 three weeks in an
otherwise healthy child.
Often crying occurs in the
evening.
5. Trisomy 21 - Down syndrome is a -Altered growth and 1. assess childs developmental 1. to distinguish subtle changes in
genetic disorder caused -Blood test development related to progress at regular intervals; keep functioning so that plan of care can
when abnormal cell impaired cognitive detailed records. be revised as needed.
division results in extra functioning. 2. help family determines childs 2. readiness may not be easily
genetic material from readiness to learn specific tasks. recognized.
chromosome 21. 3. help family set realistic goal for 3. to encourage successful
Children with Down child. attainment of goals and self-esteem.
syndrome have a distinct 4. employ positive reinforcement 4. this improves motivation and
facial appearance. Though for specific tasks or behaviors. learning.
not all children with
Down syndrome have the
same features, some of
the more common
features are:

Flattened facial
features

Small head

Short neck

Protruding tongue

Upward slanting
eyes, unusual for the
child's ethnic group
 Unusually shaped
or small ears

Poor muscle tone

Broad, short
hands with a single
crease in the palm

Relatively short
fingers and small
hands and feet

Excessive
flexibility

Tiny white spots

on the colored part
(iris) of the eye called
Brushfield spots

Short height

6. Cleft lip/ palate - are openings or splits in
the upper lip, the roof of
the mouth (palate) or
both. Cleft lip and cleft
palate result when facial
structures that are
developing in an unborn
- A prenatal ultrasound is a test
that uses sound waves to create
pictures of the developing
fetus.
-Risk for imbalanced 1.surgery 1.repair cleft lip and palate
nutrition; less than body 2.when feeding, hold infant in 2.to help keep the food from coming
requirements related to upright position out of the nose
feeding problems caused 3.Provide special nipples or 3.to suck adequately in standard
by cleft lip and palate. feeding devices nipples
 baby don't close
completely.
Signs and symptoms of
submucous cleft palate
may include:

Difficulty with
feedings

Difficulty
swallowing, with
potential for liquids
or foods to come out
the nose

Nasal speaking
voice

Chronic ear
infections

7. Imperforated anus - or anorectal - an x-ray or sonogram is also
malformations (ARMs) helpful to estimate the distance
are birth defects in which the intestine is separated from
the rectum is malformed. the perineum or the extent of
the correction that wil be
necessary. This will reveal the
disorder if the infant is held in a
slightly head down position to
allow swallowed air to rise to
the end of the bind pouch of the
- Impaired skin integrity at
rectum related to surgical
incision.
1. Take axillary or tympanic
temperatures rather than rectal
temperature.
2. clean suture line well after each
bowel movement by irrigating it
with normal saline or other
prescribed solution.
3. do not place the infant on the
abdomen. A side lying or supine
position is the best.
1. to avoid lossening of the suture.
2. to help guard against infection.
3. in this position, newborns tend to
pull their knees under them causing
tension in the perineal area and the
suture line.

8. Hirschsprung's - is a condition that
disease affects the large intestine
(colon) and causes
problems with passing
stool. The condition is
present at birth
(congenital) as a result of
missing nerve cells in the
muscles of the baby's
colon.
Other signs and
symptoms in newborns
may include:
Swollen belly
Vomiting,
including vomiting
a green or brown
substance
Constipation or
gas, which might
make a newborn
fussy
Diarrhea
bowel.
- an unprepped barium enema,
and anorectal manometric
examination
- Imbalance nutrition, less 1. children may be placed on a
than body requirements, minimal-residue diet, stool
related to reduced bowel softeners, vitamin supplements
function. and perhaps daily enema until
condition improves.
2. when children are beginning a
special diet, it may be advisable to
have parents refrain from
introducing new feeding methods,
such us cup or spoon, unless
children are at the developmental
point wher they will quickly adapt
to the new procedure and so eager
to feed themselves.
3. observe the infant abdominal
distention. Assess bowel sounds
and observe passage of flatus and
stools.
9. Spina bifida - Spina bifida is part of a
group of birth defects
called neural tube defects.
The neural tube is the
embryonic structure that
eventually develops into
the baby's brain and
spinal cord and the tissues
that enclose them.
Visible indications of
spina bifida occulta can
sometimes be seen on the
newborn's skin above the
spinal defect, including:
An abnormal tuft
of hair
A collection of fat
A small dimple or
birthmark
10. Hydrocephalus - Hydrocephalus is a
condition that occurs
when fluid builds up in
the skull and causes the
brain to swell. The name
means water on the
brain.
Early signs of
- May be discovered during
intrauterine life by prenatal
ultrasound, fetoscopy,
amniocentesis, or analysis of
MAFP.
Maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) test. A
common test used to check for
myelomeningocele.
- MRI is safe and painless
- Risk for infection related 1. dont let the meningeal sac dry.
to rupture or bacterial 2. position the infant in a prone or
invasion of the supported on their side.
meningeal sac. 3. when they are on their side use
a rolled blanket or diaper placed
behind their upper back and a
separate one behind their lower
back. Placing a folded diaper in
between the legs prevents skin
surface from touching and
rubbing.
4. dont place the infant under a
radiant heat source for warmth.
5. placing a piece of plastic or
sturdy plastic wrap below the
protruding membranes on the
childs back and taping it in places
as an apron.
-Risk for imbalanced 1. Like all infants, those with
nutrition than body hydrocephalus should be held
requirements, related to when being fed if possible. Be
increased intracranial certain to support their heads well
pressure. when moving them .
2. Also observe whether
constipation exist.
3. Urge parents to offer adequate
1. because when it allowing CSF to
drain and micro organism to enter.
2. to prevent pressure on the exposed
meninges.
3. so no pressure will be protected
from rolling backward onto it. Helps
to keep the hips fro internally
rotating.
4. because the radiant heat can dry
the lesion and cause cracking.
5. another method of preventing
feces from touching the open lesion.
1. To avoid strain on their neck if
their head appears enlarged.
2. Because increasing intracranial
pressure may be noted first because
of poor or ineffective sucking.
3. Because straining while passing
stool is another cause of increased
intracranial pressure.

hydrocephalus in infants
include:
seizures
extreme fussiness
vomiting
excessive sleepiness
poor feeding
low muscle tone and
strength
11. Otitis media - An ear infection (acute
otitis media) is most often
a bacterial or viral
infection that affects the
middle ear, the air-filled
space behind the eardrum
that contains the tiny
vibrating bones of the ear.
Children are more likely
than adults to get ear
infections.
Signs and symptoms
common in children
include:
- Pain related to
Tympanometry. This test
measures the movement of
the eardrum. The device,
which seals off the ear canal,
adjusts air pressure in the
canal, thereby causing the
eardrum to move. The device
quantifies how well the
eardrum moves and provides
an indirect measure of
pressure within the middle
ear.
fluid and roughage in their child`s
diet
1. encourage mother to offer
inflammation and liquids and soft foods.
erythema secondary to 2. educate mother about the
ear infection. common characteristics of otitis
media.
3. instruct mother to contact the
clinic or health care provider if
there is no improvement with in
24 to 48 hours or if the child
exhibits increased pain.
5. as a preventive measure as the
child grows .
1. movement of the Eustachian tube,
such as with chewing, may increase
pain.
2. education promotes better
understanding of the problem.
3. lack of improvement with in 24 to
28 hours indicates the need for
further evaluation; increased pain
may indicate excessive fluid
accumulation, which could lead to
tympanic rupture.
 Ear pain,
especially when
lying down

Tugging or
pulling at an ear

Difficulty
sleeping

Crying more than

usual

Acting more
irritable than usual

Difficulty hearing
or responding to
sounds

Loss of balance

Fever of 100 F
(38 C) or higher

Drainage of fluid
from the ear
 Headache

Loss of appetite

12. Meningitis Meningitis is an Blood is drawn to check the

inflammation of the white and red blood cell counts.
membranes (meninges) A chest X-ray film may be
surrounding your brain obtained to look for signs of
and spinal cord. pneumonia or fluid in the lungs.
Possible signs and Other tests may be performed
to look for other sources of
symptoms in anyone older
infection. Spinal tap: A spinal
than the age of 2 include: tap, or lumbar puncture, is
necessary to diagnose
Sudden high meningitis.
fever

Stiff neck

Severe headache
that seems different
than normal

Headache with
nausea or vomiting

Confusion or
difficulty
 concentrating

Seizures

Sleepiness or
difficulty waking

Sensitivity to
light

No appetite or
thirst

Skin rash
(sometimes, such as
in meningococcal
meningitis)

13. Febrile seizures - is a convulsion in a
child that may be caused
by a spike in body
temperature, often from
an infection. Your child's
having a febrile seizure
can be alarming, and the
few minutes it lasts can
seem like an eternity.
A child having a febrile
- Risk for injury or 1. Keep clients from trauma by
A blood test trauma related to providing a safety on the side of
A urine test weakness, changes in the bed.
A spinal tap (lumbar consciousness. 2. Stay with the client during the
puncture) phase of seizures.
3. Teach the family to give anti-
seizure drugs and anti-pyretic in
accordance with the rules of the
medical team.
1. Safety handy while preventing
trauma (fall) when the seizure
occurred.
2. To prevent complications as early
as possible.
3. Preventing drug misuse.
 seizure may:

Have a fever
higher than 100.4 F
(38.0 C)

Lose
consciousness

Shake or jerk
arms and legs

14. Autism - is a complex - Impaired social interaction 1. allow child to wear own clothes 1. self-care can offer a sense of
developmental disorder of related easy until under conscious sedation to control unless it becomes frustrating.
the brain function distractibility. avoid confrontation. 2. can help promote social
accompanied by broad 2. encourage parent to enroll the awareness.
range and severity of child in a special day care center. 3. this may lessen the disruptiveness
intellectual and 3. encourage parents to bring in of the child.
behavioral deficits. The possessions the child is attached. 4. to avoid behavioral outburst
child tends not to speak 4. because physical contact often 5. it can helps the parents to
any words, does not make upsets these children, minimum understand that they are not the
eye contact with others, holding and eye contact often be cause of the childs condition.
and has difficulty necessary.
interacting with 5. help to alleviate the guilt and
playmates. shame often associated with this
disorder by stressing what is
known form a biologic standpoint,
as well as how little is known
about the cause of autism.
15. ADHD - is a serious - intelligence tests, hand-eye -Risk for injury related to 1. Remove harmful objects(e.g. 1. Remove/lessen factors for injuries
 neurodevelopmental
disorder that impairs a
child's ability to
communicate and interact
with others. It also
includes restricted
repetitive behaviors,
interests and activities.
These issues cause
significant impairment in
social, occupational and
other areas of functioning.
coordination tests, and
measurement of auditory and
visual perception,
comprehension, and memory.
hyperactivity secondary to sharp objects, etc.) 2. Enable the parents to identify
ADHD. 2. Help the parents identify risks risks for injuries to prevent injuries
for injury. 3. Giving parents information about
3. Discuss to the parents how to the disorder may help them provide
manage a child who has ADHD. a safety environment for their child.
4. parents need help to develop 4. for safer environment.
firm but reasonable limits and to
provide a stable and predictable
environment with regular rourine
of sleeping, eating, working and
playing.

16. Burns Is a type of injury to flesh

or skin caused by heat,
electricity, chemicals
friction, or radiation.
17. Poisoning Poisoning is injury or
death due to swallowing,
inhaling, touching or
injecting various drugs,
chemicals, venoms or
gases. Many substances
such as drugs and
carbon monoxide are
poisonous only in higher
concentrations or dosages.
And others such as
cleaners are dangerous
only if ingested. Children
are particularly sensitive
to even small amounts of
 certain drugs and
chemicals.
18. Child abuse

19. Cerebral plasy -Is a disorder of MRI Hygiene/bathing 1.Avoid undue persistence 1.because child may unable or
movement, muscle tone dressing/grooming, not ready to accomplish a goal
or posture that is caused feeding, toileting self-care
by damage that occurs to deficits related to physical
the immature, developing disability 2.to facilitate self-help
brain, most often before 2.Encourage use of utensils, food, 3. to facilitate optimal
birth. and clothing development

3.Encourage child to assist with 4.to promote self-development

care as age and capabilities permit
4.Select toys and activities that
allow maximum participation by
child and that improve motor
function and sensory input

20. Leukemia - Is cancer of the body's - X-ray Risk for infection related -teach parents to observe them -The sooner the symptoms are
blood-forming tissues, -Bone marrow aspiration to non functioning wbcs carefully and to prompty report reported, the sooner anti infective
including the bone leukemia. and immunosuppressive any indication of infection, such therapy can begin.
marrow and the lymphatic -Physical assessment effects of theraphy as low grade fever or behavior
system. that does not seem typical of the
Common leukemia signs child.
and symptoms include:

Fever or chills

Persistent fatigue,
weakness

Frequent or
severe infections

Losing weight
without trying

Swollen lymph
nodes, enlarged liver
or spleen

Easy bleeding or
bruising

Recurrent
nosebleeds

Tiny red spots in

your skin (petechiae)

Excessive
sweating, especially
at night

Bone pain or
 tenderness

21. Wilms tumor Wilms' tumor is a rare - Physical examination, blood

kidney cancer that and urine tests, surgery, and
primarily affects children. imaging tests.
Also known as
nephroblastoma, Wilms'
tumor is the most
common cancer of the
kidneys in children.
Wilms' tumor most often
affects children ages 3 to
4 and becomes much less
common after age 5.
Wilms' tumor doesn't
always cause signs and
symptoms. Children with
Wilms' tumor may appear
healthy, or they may
experience:

Abdominal
swelling

An abdominal
mass you can feel

Abdominal pain

Fever
 Blood in the urine

22. Asthma - Is a condition in which - Health-seeking 1. increase fluid intake 1. to combat dehydration.
your airways narrow and - Physical examination behaviors related to 2. children need to learn how to 2. children as young as 6 years of
swell and produce extra prevention of and avoid possible triggers through age can learn what foods they cannot
mucus. This can make treatment for asthma environmental control. If foods eat and can take responsibility for
breathing difficult and attacks. are triggers, children need to learn telling a friends parent or preschool
trigger coughing, to be responsible for their own teacher that they must not eat certain
wheezing and shortness of diets so they can avoid these foods.
breath. foods. 3. to prevent children with asthma
Asthma signs and 3. they can be taught several from losing chest mobility and to
symptoms include: breathing or mobility exercises to decrease their tendency to develop a
do daily at home. barrel chest.
Shortness of
breath

Chest tightness or
pain

Trouble sleeping
caused by shortness
of breath, coughing or
wheezing

A whistling or
wheezing sound when
exhaling (wheezing is
a common sign of
asthma in children)
 Coughing or
wheezing attacks that
are worsened by a
respiratory virus, such
as a cold or the flu

23. Urinary tract - A urinary tract infection
infection (UTI) is an infection in
any part of your urinary
system your kidneys,
ureters, bladder and
urethra. Most infections
involve the lower urinary
tract the bladder and
the urethra.
Urinary tract infections
don't always cause signs
and symptoms, but when
they do they may include:
- Urinary test - Acute Pain related to 1. Monitor urine color changes,
inflammation and monitor the voiding pattern, input
infection of the and output every 8 hours and
urethra, bladder and monitor the results of urinalysis
other urinary repeated.
tract structures. 2. Provide convenient measures,
such as massage.
3. Give perineal care.
1. To identify the indications of
progress or deviations from expected
results
2. Increase relaxation, reduce muscle
tension.
3. To prevent contamination of the
urethra.

A strong,
persistent urge to
urinate

A burning
sensation when
urinating

Passing frequent,
small amounts of
 urine

Urine that
appears cloudy

Urine that
appears red, bright
pink or cola-colored
a sign of blood in
the urine

Strong-smelling
urine

Pelvic pain, in
women especially
in the center of the
pelvis and around the
area of the pubic bone

REFERENCES

-Adele Pilliterri, PhD, RN, PNP. 2014. Maternal & Child Health Nursing Philadelphia: Lippincott

http://www.mayoclinic.org/

http://www.healthline.com/
NAME : Fatma Anais B. Disomangcop

DATE : January 23 , 2017