There are many diseases that are exclusive to children. Some diseases occur only in newborns and infants, while some develop in young children only. Among these are various types of tumors and inflammation. Children with these kind of serious illnesses require specialized medical care.
Wilms' Tumor
Wilms' tumor, or nephroblastoma, originates in the kidney. Most children who have this tumor are younger than 5-years-old, according to Merck Manuals. Some children with Wilms' tumor have mutations in their chromosomes. Other children have a Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or the WAGR syndrome. Characteristics of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome include enlargements of the tongue and muscles or bones on one side of the body. WAGR syndrome is characterized by abnormalities in the intestinal and urinary systems as well as lack of an iris in the eye and mental retardation. Symptoms of Wilms' tumor include a mass in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever, hypertension and blood in the urine.
Tuberous Sclerosis
A mutation on chromosome nine or 16 causes tuberous sclerosis, says Michael Aminoff, M.D., professor of neurology at the University of California, who writes about this disease in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." Due to the mutation, tumors in several organs are not suppressed. Children will, therefore, have tumors in several locations which may include the brain, heart, lungs, eyes, kidneys and skin. They will usually start having seizures when they are very young because of the tumors in the brain. They may also have adenoma sebaceum, or small, red nodules all over the face and nose as well as spots on the body or areas of decreased pigmentation.
Hepatoblastoma
Approximately 66 percent of all of the malignant tumors in children are hepatoblastomas, or liver tumors, writes Craig Albanese, M.D., professor of surgery and pediatrics at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery." Most children afflicted are younger than 2-years-old. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome all have a higher risk for developing a hepatoblastoma.
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease is an inflammation of the arteries that is most commonly seen in children younger than 5-years-old, according to Merck Manuals. Symptoms begin with a fever that last for five days or longer. A rash then develops along with inflammation in both eyes, swollen lymph nodes, a "strawberry-looking" tongue and red, swollen hands and feet. The skin around the fingertips will peel and there is increased risk for developing an aneurysm in the coronary artery.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery"; Gerard Doherty, M.D.; 2010
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2010
- Merck Manuals: Kawasaki Disease
- Merck Manuals: Wilms' Tumor
