Read about common childhood concerns for Indian children. Gastroentitis, scabies, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, etc are some of the common ailments affecting children in India. Read about the causes, preventions and all other facts about these childhood concerns. Children in India are mostly affected by these ailments.

Some illnesses are more common in some countries due to differences in climatic conditions, environment, and other factors. These are some of the common childhood concerns of children in India.

Gastroentitis

Gastroentitis is an infection of the digestive system and it is one of the most common childhood illnesses. Symptoms of gastroentitis include diarrheoa, nausea and vomiting, tummy cramps, and fever. Your child may have some or all of the symptoms. One of the main risks with gastroentitis is that it causes dehydration in children. Hence, take care to see that your child is given enough fluids to prevent the dehydration.

Rickets

Rickets is a very common disease in developing countries. Rickets occurs due to Vitamin D deficiency. Deficiency of Vitamin D occurs in a child because of lack of exposure to sunlight. Lack of adequate calcium in the diet can also cause rickets. Rickets is a disease which involves softening and weakening of bones in children. Children between the ages of 6 to 24 months are at the highest risk of developing the disease because that is the age when their bones are rapidly growing.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is caused due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis often starts in one eye at first and then spreads to the other eye. For children suffering from conjunctivitis it is important to see a doctor to know what kind of conjunctivitis it is. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness of eyes, irritation in the eye, and eye watering.

Scabies

Scabies is an infection of the skin. Scabies is caused by tiny insects called mites. These scabies mites burrow into the skin and lay eggs which become adult mites very soon. Symptoms of this infection include superficial burrows, rash and severe itching. Blisters on the palm and soles of the feet are characteristic symptoms of scabies in infants. Scabies is one of the highly contagious diseases and a child can develop it by coming into contact with someone else who has been infected. Children with scabies must not be sent to school or day care until it become alright.

Upper Respiratory Tract infection (URTI)

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections are extremely common due to air pollution and vehicular emission. Upper respiratory tract infections include common cold, influenza and sore throat.

Tonsillitis is also one of upper respiratory tract infections. Tonsillitis is caused due to infection of the tonsils. Tonsils are the areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. Symptoms of tonsillitis include a severe sore throat, coughing, headache and difficulty swallowing.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis affects children also and is known as Primary Complex or Childhood Tuberculosis infection. Children under the age of two years are more at risk of developing tuberculosis because their immune system is under developed or still developing. Tuberculosis is completely curable and early diagnosis can help in effective treatment.

Typhoid

Water borne diseases like typhoid are rampant in children due to poor sanitation. Cases of typhoid are more common in countries like India and some other South Asian countries and have been seen lesser in countries like the USA. Some of the symptoms of typhoid in children are poor appetite, body ache, discomfort in abdomen, lethargy and weakness, fever with rising and falling pattern. Some children may also experience headache, chest congestion, diarrheoa and vomiting and rose spots on the abdomen. The best way to prevent typhoid in your child is to give them vaccine for typhoid.

Bronchitis and Asthma

Bronchitis and asthma are common in children. Bronchitis and asthma are caused due to high exposure to air borne pollutants. Bronchitis and asthma need to be treated with antibiotics and bronchodilators.

Antibiotics and Children

It is possible to treat children in cleaner environments without antibiotics, but antibiotics need to be prescribed to children in overcrowded areas.