OpenHealth Q&A

Should We Be Alarmed?

Author: 38-year-old female, Caucasian, residing in Canada Concerned Child: 5-year-old female, Caucasian, based in Canada We have two little ones, a 2-year-old son with a number of complex medical needs stemming from rare genetic disorders, and a 5-year-old daughter who has always been the more straightforward one health-wise in our family. Recently, I’ve been grappling with a wave of guilt as I wonder if we’ve been overlooking potential health issues with her simply because she’s our ‘healthy’ child. A week ago, her daycare reached out with some worries about her behavior. They mentioned that she hasn’t been quite herself for the past few weeks, citing complaints of fatigue, stomach issues, headaches, and general emotional unease. Upon hearing this, my husband and I exchanged concerned looks, shocked that we might have missed warning signs. Sure, she’s been acting a bit off at home, but we just chalked it up to her being a typical 5-year-old who tends to whine. To clarify, here’s a rundown of the observations we (and evidently her daycare staff) have noted over the past couple of months: - **Headaches:** She experiences these once or twice weekly, which usually improve with rest and hydration, but we've also given her Tylenol a few times when she's amenable. - **Stomachaches:** These complaints seem to arise after she’s been particularly active, and the daycare reported similar patterns—often happening during outdoor play or gym time. - **Night Sweats:** This has become a nightly issue at home where her pillow becomes thoroughly soaked, leading to occasional wake-ups around 1 or 2 AM when she seeks a change of bedding or wants to climb in with us due to discomfort. - **Increased Fatigue:** She used to be quite the energetic child, even prompting discussions about ADHD assessments, but recently, she’s been needing significantly more rest throughout the day and showing a preference for quiet movie time. She has also been requesting to go to bed much earlier than before, including asking to sleep at 6 PM one evening. At school, she’s been approaching staff, expressing her tiredness and wanting to rest or leave. - **Right Eye Pain:** This has occurred on two separate evenings, with her struggling to articulate the discomfort, but it eased on its own after about twenty minutes each time. - **Neck Pain Episode:** She suddenly yelped in pain while at home, grabbing her neck, but this lasted only a few seconds and was difficult for her to describe. - **Unexplained Bruising:** A week ago, while preparing her for bed, we noticed several significant bruises that she couldn't account for. This was puzzling since she had spent the entire day with me, and I had bathed her the previous evening without noticing any marks. We relayed these observations to the daycare director for her perspective, and she requested photos of the bruises. Upon seeing them, she quickly called back, stating that these did not appear to be typical bruising for a child of her age and recommended we take her to see a doctor as soon as possible. We’ve attempted to schedule an appointment, but the earliest they can accommodate is about a week and a half away. Given the director's concerns regarding the bruising, we worry that this delay might be too lengthy. Should we indeed be concerned? Are these bruises unusual for a child her age, especially without her recalling how they occurred? Moreover, is her amount of sweating excessive? I’m more interested in understanding how urgent it is to get the necessary lab work scheduled rather than seeking a specific diagnosis at this moment. Apologies for the lengthy message. 😞

Answers (1)

7/8/2025, 7:50:48 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's clear that you're experiencing a lot of worry and concern regarding your daughter’s health, especially after receiving the daycare's observations. The symptoms you've described—headaches, stomachaches, night sweats, fatigue, right eye pain, neck pain, and unexplained bruising—are indeed areas that warrant attention.

To provide you with clarity:

1. Unexplained Bruising: This can be a concerning sign, especially if it occurs without any known cause. In young children, bruises are common, but your daughter’s bruising, particularly if there are multiple or significant marks without an explanation, should be taken seriously.

2. Night Sweats: While some children may sweat at night, excessive sweating can sometimes indicate an underlying issue, particularly if it is accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue or unexplained weight loss.

3. Increased Fatigue and Other Symptoms: The combination of her fatigue, headaches, and abdominal discomfort is concerning, particularly since they have changed from her usual behaviors.

Next Steps:

1. Urgent Care: Given the concerns about unexplained bruising and the combination of other symptoms, it's advisable to seek medical attention sooner than your scheduled appointment. Consider an urgent care facility or a pediatric emergency department, especially if the bruising is significant. They can often run tests or investigate other symptoms more promptly.

2. Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of her symptoms, including any patterns you notice (like when the headaches or stomachaches occur, what seems to provoke sweating, and any specifics about her bruising). This will help healthcare providers understand her situation better.

3. Monitor for Changes: While waiting for a doctor’s visit, keep an eye out for any new symptoms or worsening of existing ones, particularly if she develops a fever, has difficulty breathing, or experiences significant pain.

4. Emotional Support: Acknowledge your feelings of guilt and concerns; these are normal for a parent, especially when attending to multiple children's health needs. It may be worth discussing your feelings with a trusted friend or counselor for support.

Your daughter has a wonderful advocate in you, and addressing these concerns promptly is essential. Please take care, and good luck seeking the answers you need.