Condition Treatments
In South Miami, Florida
Pediatric Conditions Miami FL
Childhood is — and should be — a time of adventure, learning, and delight. But there are also a host of health issues, both acute and chronic, that can strike during childhood, too.
At Day & Night Pediatric Services in South Miami, Florida, we’ve seen it all.
Our caring and compassionate health care providers are skilled in treating a wide assortment of medical conditions that can affect your child. Our board-certified pediatricians are experienced in diagnosing and treating common health issues such as ear infections, a cold or the flu, or UTIs, as well as conditions that may indicate the need for specialized testing and treatments such as allergies, autism, ADHD, or chronic acid-reflux issues.
We treat many pediatric conditions, including but not limited to:
Allergies occur when the body overresponds to otherwise harmless triggers, such as certain foods, tree pollen, or animal dander. Symptoms of allergies can be minor to serious and may include abdominal pain, sneezing, coughing, skin rashes or hives, and difficulty breathing.
The presence of allergies in children has increased significantly in recent years.
Common allergies in children include but are not limited to:
- Dust
- Food – cow’s milk, eggs, and peanuts are among the most common
- Insect bites or stings
- Mold
- Perfume or cologne
- Pets
- Pollen
- Pollutants – like car exhaust
- Tobacco smoke
A chronic disease that inflames the airways, asthma affects children and adults alike. There are an estimated 20 million people in the US with asthma – and about half of them are children.
Asthma symptoms may include wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain or tightness. Symptoms can worsen when a child has a respiratory infection (cold or flu) or with exertion.
The first choice and most common treatment for asthma are quick-acting bronchodilators that deliver certain drugs that, when inhaled, temporarily widens the airways. These are commonly called “inhalers.”
There are additional inhaled drugs that can provide longer-term control of asthma symptoms.
This condition tends to begin in childhood and sometimes may continue into adulthood. Its main symptoms are a shortened attention span, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
A key to distinguishing between signs and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those of usual childhood behavior is to identify whether the signs or symptoms appear under all circumstances, or whether they are limited to certain situations.
Other conditions that may produce the same symptoms of ADHD include learning disabilities, emotional trauma, psychological disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder), and certain medical conditions like certain neurological disorders.
Autism is considered a spectrum of disorders that are characterized by social and communication difficulties, as well as a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors.
Although the range and severity of signs and symptoms can vary greatly among children with autism, in general they tend to have obsessive interests, display repetitive behaviors, and have difficulty in social situations. For example:
- Speech delay
- Unaware of others’ emotions
- Sensitivity to sound or other stimulation
- Inappropriate social interaction
- Poor eye contact
- Self-harm
- Persistent repetition of words or actions
COVID 19 has been anxiety provoking for many, if we need to we can test your child in the parking lot of our office, if there is a concern that your child might have it.
Diarrhea – or loose, watery bowel movements – is a very common problem. It can occur as a result of many different health issues. In most cases, diarrhea usually resolves itself within a short period, typically a day or two. When it is chronic and continues to occur, it may be time to see a pediatrician.
A doctor will rely on additional information to determine the cause of a child’s diarrhea. This may involve an accounting of what foods the child has eaten or whom the child has come into contact with, the results of a physical examination, and perhaps blood, stool, or other tests to rule out certain other causes.
Infection is a common cause of diarrhea in children, such as due to an E. coli bacterial infection or rotavirus. The former is typically picked up by eating spoiled foods, and the latter by putting fingers in the mouth after becoming contaminated with something that has come into contact with the stool of an infected person.
Pain in the ear area is extremely common during childhood. Most children will have at least one ear infection during their childhood. It’s one of the most common reason parents take a child to the doctor.
Some common signs of ear infections in children include but are not limited to:
- Pulling at the ear
- Balance problems
- Crying
- Fever
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Difficulty hearing
Children are more likely to have ear infections than adults for a number of reasons, including that a child’s immune system isn’t fully developed yet, so the tube leading from the upper throat to the middle ear is more horizontal than vertical, making it difficult for fluid to easily drain out of the ears.
In many cases, antibiotics will resolve the issue.
The average body temperature – for an adult and child – is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When body temperature rises above 100 degrees, it is considered a fever.
Fever, along with many other symptoms, is actually the body’s method of fighting infection. How long a fever lasts in a child will depend on its cause. When it is caused by a virus, it may last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks. Bacterial infections may cause a fever that lasts until treated with antibiotics. Parents should contact their child’s pediatrician if they have any concerns at all about their child’s fever.
Acid reflux can happen to anyone, regardless of age (even babies!).
It occurs when stomach acid travels up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat down to the stomach. Symptoms may include a burning pain in the chest (heartburn) after eating that worsens when lying down. It may also be accompanied by vomiting, coughing, gas, and regurgitation.
In children less than a year old, they may not feel heartburn but may be able to taste stomach acid or food in the back of the mouth.
When acid reflux is chronic, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most children outgrow GERD, but some will need medical treatment.
There are many different causes of GERD, including a type of stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia, a loose lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, and stomach distention.
Influenza is a common contagious viral infection. While its symptoms are similar to that of the common cold, flu symptoms are usually more severe and begin more suddenly.
Young children are more likely to experience serious complications of the flu such as pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, inflammation of the heart and brain, sepsis, and organ failure.
Most pediatricians recommend children receive an annual flu vaccine. In some cases, the vaccine may be delivered by nasal spray rather than injection.
Many things can cause a skin rash in children, including but not limited to:
- Abrasions
- Allergies
- Chickenpox
- Eczema
- Heat
- Impetigo
- Insect bites and stings
- Measles
- Other
- Poison ivy and other plants
- Ringworm
- Swimmer’s itch
- Virus
Treatments and therapies will depend on the exact cause of your child’s rash.
Parents should contact their child’s pediatrician if they have any concerns at all about their child’s stomachache.
A bacterial infection that inflames the throat, strep throat is especially common in children. It is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.
Strep throat is a highly contagious disease that causes the throat to appear red and feel sore and scratchy. Additional symptoms in children include but are not limited to:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Swollen neck glands
- Headache
- Stomachache
Antibiotics are required to treat cases of strep throat.
Tonsillitis is contagious and is most often caused by viruses like a cold or the Epstein-Barr virus (which also causes mononucleosis or “mono”). But it may also be caused by a bacterial strep throat infection. Treatment will depend on the cause of the inflammation.
A bacterial infection within the urinary system – the bladder, urethra, or kidneys – is commonly called a urinary tract infection or UTI.
UTIs are common in children. Bacteria may get into a child’s urinary tract by wiping from back to front after a bowel movement (in girls), or due to other problems with the bladder or kidneys.
Symptoms of UTIs in children may include but are not limited to:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Pain when urinating
- Frequent urges to urinate
If not properly treated, an UTI may travel further up the urinary tract and damage the kidneys.
Looking for a pediatrician in South Miami that provides comprehensive care for children of all ages, even young adults? Call Day & Night Pediatric Services at (305) 668-2540 for an appointment with one of our capable and compassionate doctors.
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