Children frequently have short-term illnesses that last only a few days, such as colds or an upset stomach. Other childhood diseases include chronic illnesses that last for years or for a lifetime. Some diseases are acute, or sudden onset, while others are congenital, or present at birth. Acute, chronic and congenital diseases can affect any part of the body.
Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease, or CHD, describes a problem with the function and structure of the heart that is present at birth. Medline Plus reports that CHD causes more deaths within the first year than any other congenital defect. The two types of CHD are cyanotic, or diseases that cause the skin to turn blue from lack of oxygen, and non-cyanotic. Cyanotic diseases include: tricuspid atresia, in which the tricuspid valve is missing or abnormal, and truncus arteriosus, a blood vessel abnormality. Non-cyanotic diseases include: ventricular septal defect, or holes in the wall separating the right and left ventricles; and aortic stenosis, where a narrowed aortic valve reduces blood flow out of the heart. The treatment and prognosis depends on the type of CHD and if the disease is associated with any other disease process such as Down syndrome.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell, present in one of every 500 African-American births, is a genetic disease in which the protein in red blood cells, or hemoglobin, is defective, reports Children's Hospital. Anemia is the most common symptom of sickle cell disease. Normal hemoglobin carries oxygen through the blood throughout the body. Sickle cell hemoglobin cells stick together and hinder normal oxygen transport, which causes severe anemia. Other symptoms include jaundice, stroke and pain in areas where the blood flow becomes blocked. Treatment options include blood transfusions for anemia, folic acid, pain medications and stem cell transplant to help the body produce normal hemoglobin.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer in which the white blood cells multiply too rapidly and interfere with the normal function of the body. In reproducing so rapidly, too many immature white blood cells are produced causing juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia or JMML. According to Nemours Foundation, JMML mostly affects children younger than 2. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, recurrent infections, easy bruising and abdominal pain. The diagnostic process includes blood tests and bone marrow aspiration to check for abnormal cells. Treatment includes chemotherapy to destroy the cancer cells and a bone marrow transplant to rebuild the immune system and blood supply.
Childhood Kidney Diseases
Congenital kidney diseases are those present at birth and include polycystic kidney disease--many fluid-filled cysts in both kidneys; multicystic kidney disease--large cysts in an improperly developed kidney; and glomerulonephritis--an infection in the kidney's tiny blood vessels. Polycystic and multicystic kidney diseases are usually diagnosed before birth and treatment consists of managing symptoms and possible dialysis or kidney transplant. Treatment for glomerulonephritis includes medications and dialysis or kidney transplant in severely damaged kidneys.
