Illnesses in children: 10 common conditions and how to help

Allergies

An allergy means your body’s immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance like pollen or foods such as nuts, cow’s milk, eggs, or wheat, seeing it as a threat and producing antibodies to fight it.¹. The result is an allergic reaction with symptoms such as

• Sneezing, wheezing, and coughing
• A runny or blocked nose
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes
• A red and itchy rash
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea
• Worsening of asthma or eczema
• In severe cases, breathing difficulties or anaphylaxis

The chances of a child developing an allergy increase if there is a family history of it. And, while it is true that children tend to grow out of some of their allergies, some may last a lifetime.

Hydrolysed formula such as partially hydrolysed whey with clinically proven efficacy may help to reduce the risk of developing allergies in high-risk children with family history of allergy.² Protein in the hydrolysed formula is broken down, reducing the allergenicity and minimising the chance of allergic reaction by the body's immune system.

The latest recommendation by allergy experts for introducing solid foods to healthy children without allergy is to give foods such as eggs, wheat, fish, and peanuts in very small amounts, in developmentally appropriate texture from about six months of age.³ This can prevent them from developing allergies. Offer potential allergens one at a time, waiting for a few days before trying another. This will help you to identify if a certain food causes a reaction. If your child has eczema or shows signs of food allergies, speak to a healthcare professional for advice.

Crying (Colic in children)

Colic is a common term used for young children who cry a lot. There is no medical test or definition for what causes colic in children, but crying is thought to be linked to trapped gas or other digestive pains. Studies have shown that children who were given a probiotic supplement called Lactobacillus reuteri cried for shorter periods compared with children who did not take the probiotic.

Constipation

Child constipation can happen when your little one is dehydrated or has moved onto solid foods. It can also be a reaction to formula or a sign of an underlying illness, or due to behavior such as withholding. Remember that every child is different. In general, formula-fed children generally don’t poop as often, so going a few days without a dirty diaper doesn’t mean there’s anything to worry about. Signs of constipation to look for include:

• Dry or hard stool
• Fewer bowel movements than normal such as less than 3 bowel movements a week
• Loss of appetite
• Sluggishness and grumpiness

It’s important to ensure child gets adequate fluids (see dehydration) and dietary fiber.⁴ If your child does get constipated, or in pain, speak to your healthcare provider. They may recommend a special formula if appropriate, or a suitable laxative to provide the child constipation relief. Formulas containing partially or extensively hydrolysed proteins, fortified with prebiotics and/or probiotics, and without palm oil as the main source of fat in the oil blend offer a good alternative for constipation.⁵ You may find giving your child a tummy massage with clockwise hand movements and slow downward strokes below the belly button is soothing too. ⁴

To help prevent constipation in young ones, ensure they have enough fluid intake, and avoid sudden changes to their milk. Make sure your child has adequate fiber in the diet by adding including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and enough physical activity.

Dehydration

Children are more at risk of dehydration than adults. If your little one is dehydrated, it means her body has lost more fluids than it has taken in. Diarrhea, vomiting, increased activity, and hot weather can all cause dehydration, whereas constipation can occur as a result of it. Fewer wet nappies and dark, strong-smelling pee are signs of your child being dehydrated, so remember to keep their fluids topped up. A formula-fed child may need some extra water if the weather is hot—this should be boiled and cooled while drinking.

Always seek medical help if you’re concerned or want further advice, and especially if you notice signs such as fewer tears when crying, a sunken soft spot on the head of young one, sunken eyes, cool and discolored hands and feet, wrinkled skin, or having only one or two wet diapers a day.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or conditions such as coeliac disease, allergies, and intolerances to certain foods. Diarrhea can also happen if your children have taken antibiotics, which have killed off helpful as well as harmful bacteria, resulting in an imbalance in their gut. In older children, an additional non-contagious cause can be food moving through the gut very quickly, often called ‘Toddler Diarrhea’. Signs of diarrhea include:

• Extremely runny, watery poops
• Frequent bowel movements
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Frequent handwashing, good hygiene for you and your little one, and disposing of diapers safely can help stop the spread of diarrhea. Give plenty of liquids to your child if they are suffering from diarrhea. And for older children, avoid giving sugary drinks or those containing artificial sweeteners. If you think your child’s diarrhea might be due to lactose intolerance or a milk allergy (see allergies), speak to your healthcare provider. Supplementing with probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri helps in reducing frequency and duration of diarrhea in children.⁶

Diarrhea can cause diaper rash, so change it straight away—a warm damp cloth or cotton ball is gentler than wipes—and give their skin a few minutes to breathe before putting a new diaper on. You may wish to seek advice from your healthcare provider if you are concerned, or you spot any blood or mucus in the diaper.

Eczema

Eczema—a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked—often develops in the first year of a child’s life and is a triggered allergic reaction by the body. Studies show that children with family history of allergy or feeding formula containing intact cow's milk protein may increase the likelihood of developing eczema. Partially hydrolysed formula may help children at risk of developing allergy. The protein in partially hydrolysed formula has been broken down to reduce the allergenicity. ² Thus partially hydrolysed protein with reduced allergenicity, reduces the chance of allergic reaction by the body's immune system.

Speak to your healthcare provider if you think your child has eczema. They will be able to advise on treatments to help soothe and triggers to avoid.

Fever

Normal child temperature will vary with age, activity, and the time of day. Ordinarily, the following readings are considered normal:

• Oral reading of 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius) or less

Anything higher means your child has a fever. Fever itself is not an illness—it is a sign your child is trying to fight an infection. This might be caused by a virus, such as a cold or the flu, or bacteria. It can also arise alongside constipation and diarrhea. Should your child develop a higher than normal temperature, follow your healthcare provider’s advice for how to bring down child fever.

Lactose intolerance

Unlike an allergy, a food intolerance is a reaction that does not involve the immune system. When a child’s gut has lower levels of ‘lactase’—the enzyme that digests the natural sugar (lactose) found in milk and dairy products—they may have lactose intolerance. And while true lactose intolerance in children is rare, it can happen temporarily after a tummy bug.

Symptoms can include flatulence, diarrhea, bloating, fussiness during feeding, and lots of crying. These are like other child-feeding problems, so speak to your healthcare provider if you are worried. You healthcare provider suggest reduced lactose or lactose free formula temporarily if your child is formula-fed.

Reflux in children

Most children spit up milk after feeding. This is children reflux and happens because the child’s esophagus isn’t fully formed yet, making it hard to keep milk down.

Things you can do to help prevent reflux in children include offering smaller meals more often, burping during the middle and end of meals, and keeping child upright after meals. Also make sure nothing is pressing on their tummy after meals, so avoid strapping them into a car seat or bouncer chair. A specific probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri, has also been found to decrease the number of spit-ups in young children.⁷ Ask your healthcare provider for advice on this or any other reflux concerns, and they may recommend some simple changes to how you feed your child or their formula—for example switching to one enriched with starch—if you’re formula-feeding, may be able to help.

Sleep challenges

Your child may wake often during the night after feeding their tummy is very small and can’t hold much food. You might want to try introducing a sleep routine. Scientific studies have shown that children with a regular bedtime routine and consistent sleep schedule are more likely to learn good sleep habits in their childhood. It could be bath, brush teeth, and story it is up to you, just make sure you do the same thing every night. Putting your child down when they are sleepy but still awake will also help them to get used to falling asleep by themselves.

If your child is waking several times during the night, it could be due to a number of reasons other than hunger. Ask yourself if they might need their diaper changing, maybe need burping, seem in discomfort such as colic, or they are too hot or cold? If the answer is no to all of these, and you also know they are not hungry, then they can gradually learn to soothe herself back to sleep. This will help reduce the number of times your child wakes up in the future.

References

1. Dougherty JM, Alsayouri K, Sadowski A. Allergy. [Updated 2023 Jul 31]. In: StatPeals [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan -. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545237/
2. Malaysian Allergy Prevention Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals. 2014.
3. Tham EH, et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2018;29(1):18-27
4. Tran DL, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2023; 29(8):1261-1288
5. Vandenplas Y, et al. Nutrition. 2013; 29(1):184-94
6. Francavilla R et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Aug;36(4):363-9
7. Foster JP, et al. Matern Child Nutri. 2022; 19(1): e13290.