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Enlarged lymph nodes are a common problem which
affects children of all ages, the lymph nodes are responsible for protecting
the body against infections and they usually increase in size during childhood
and shrink as the child grows. The most common area that is affected by
enlarged lymph nodes is in the area of the neck just under the jaw line,
but they are also found in the groin and armpit area and at the area at
the back of the head called the occipital.
What is the cause of enlarged lymph nodes?
The lymph nodes in their natural state are around the size of a pea but
when there is an infection in the area of them, they can enlarge, an example
of this is when a child gets a throat infection and has a sore throat
then the glands in the neck can enlarge and become extremely painful.
The enlargement of the nodes simply means that they are doing their job
in helping to fight off infection and generally as the infection subsides
then so do the lymph nodes.
Are enlarged lymph nodes a problem?
Enlarged lymph nodes usually aren't that big of a problem in themselves
and the Doctor will be able to tell a lot from the size, texture and feel
of the nodes and only very rarely will serious complications arise from
them.
Only very occasionally does the node themselves become infected but when
this happens it is called adenitis, however if the nodes themselves are
infected this is easily identifiable as they will become very big, extremely
red and painful.
If this is caught early enough then the infection is treated with antibiotics
which will usually clear up the infection and only very rarely will the
child be needed to be admitted to hospital in order to drain the infected
node.
Of course, as not all lumps are only enlarged lymph nodes and while most
cases of them are nothing to worry about, very occasionally, lumps can
suggest something more sinister and they should never be passed over,
particularly if the child has enlarged nodes which persist or get bigger
beyond a 6-week period.
This only happens in very rare cases and most problems with enlarged lymph
nodes in children will shrink or go away of the own accord. If however
you are worried or your child is in a lot of pain then you should consult
your Doctor because your child could be suffering from an infection that
needs antibiotics in order to clear up.
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