Swollen lymph nodes and glands in children

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dang Thi Ngoc Chuong - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

The condition of children with swollen lymph nodes is not so rare today with many different causes. Recognizing swollen lymph nodes in children at an early stage makes the treatment process much simpler.

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system in the body, including: lymphatic fluid, lymphatic vessels, tonsils, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. In total, there are over 600 lymph nodes in the body. Accordingly, some of them are located below the surface of the skin, others are located deep in the chest cavity, abdominal cavity.
Lymph contains white blood cells and other things that help fight infections. As this fluid moves through the lymphatic vessels - a network of veins that run parallel to the circulatory system, filtered by the lymph glands (nodes) - anything abnormal, such as infectious agents or cancer cells, are captured for neutralization.
In addition, lymph nodes can also respond to allergies occurring on the skin or near the nose, throat and ears so lymph nodes can become swollen if the child is bitten by an insect or has a fever - here This is a normal response of the body.

Lymph nodes are round or oval in shape, small, soft structure, lymph nodes are connected to each other through lymphatic vessels forming a chain that spreads throughout the human body, including:
Occipital region - behind the head, to the side before and behind the ear. Area under the jaw and under the chin, face, neck and above the collarbone. Above the collarbone, under the armpit and below the elbow. At the back of the knee. Inguinal region. Anterior and posterior cervix.

The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system so when children are fighting an infection, allergy or injury, the lymph nodes can become enlarged. In fact, the lymph nodes of children may be larger than those of adults, making them easier to feel and detect.
On the other hand, many children have swollen lymph nodes due to frequent infections, leading to a reaction in the lymph nodes surrounding the infection area. Examples are:
Upper respiratory tract infections, including colds and flu. Strep throat disease. Infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Lymphadenitis, in which there is an infected lymph node. In HIV infection, then lymphadenopathy is a common symptom of early infection. Lymphocyte cancer. Acute leukemia. Cat scratch disease, caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. Lymph node infection caused by tuberculosis - Scrofula. Kawasaki disease, is a rare disease in infants. Lupus disease, an autoimmune disease. Children with tooth decay. Cancer is a rare cause. The lymph nodes may persist for more than a month after the infection has cleared in the child.

Lymphoma occurs when the child's body is fighting an infection, at which point the lymph nodes will swell. Children are often exposed to allergens and new infections, so their lymph nodes are often larger than adults. These signs show that your baby's immune system is working well in fighting off infections, so you don't need to worry too much if your baby has swollen lymph nodes.
In addition to swollen glands, your doctor will look for other symptoms, such as lymph node size, location, and lymph node uniformity (soft, firm, or rubbery), these are suggestions for viewing the condition. This could be normal or not.
You can actually feel the lymph nodes in your baby's neck, even if he's healthy. If you find that the lymph node is less than 1.2cm in size and the child has no other symptoms, this is a normal lymph node. Then you don't have to look any further because you can always find some more lymph nodes especially in the neck, armpit and groin area. Other related symptoms such as unexplained persistent fever, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats may be signs of a more serious condition.
Accordingly, if the parents see the following signs appear, they can take the child to see a specialist to find out the cause:
The child has swollen lymph nodes all over the body. Nodules larger than 25mm. The lymph nodes are still enlarged and persisted after treatment. Swollen lymph nodes spread to other parts of the body. Swollen lymph nodes are hard, painless, and non-motile. The child has unexplained weight loss or the child has night sweats. The lymph nodes in the neck are swollen, making it difficult to breathe and swallow. The skin of the lymph nodes is red and swollen. Baby complains of pain in swollen lymph nodes. The child has a sore throat. Children under 1 month old. The lymph nodes are enlarged in many places. There is no reason for enlarged lymph nodes.

Depending on the cause of swollen lymph nodes in children, doctors will have different treatment regimens, for example, swollen lymph nodes due to bacterial infections such as pharyngitis, children may need antibiotics. If your child has swollen lymph nodes due to a bacterial infection, only the symptoms need to be treated.
In rare cases, the swollen lymph nodes are caused by actual infection, then the lymph nodes will be enlarged, the skin around the lymph nodes will be red and painful. The child may then need antibiotics and drainage of the infection. The use of fever reducing medicine Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen is necessary when the child has a fever above 39 degrees Celsius or pain.
In addition, it is necessary to avoid pressing and compressing the lymph nodes because doing this can make the lymph nodes not shrink as normal. After treatment is completed, the lymph node size will return to normal slowly 2 to 4 weeks later and they will not disappear completely.
Children with swollen lymph nodes is not a very dangerous condition as people often imagine, but it is not for that reason that parents can be subjective when they see abnormal signs. For better control, parents can pay attention to monitor or take the child to see a specialist doctor to find the cause of swollen lymph nodes in the child to have the most appropriate treatment. Absolutely do not arbitrarily give drugs to children without the guidance of a specialist.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has a Children's General Health Checkup Package. When using the Examination Package, children receive a comprehensive examination, from eyes, teeth, blood pressure, weight to necessary tests, combined with diagnostic imaging. The examination package helps you check your baby's overall health, screen for symptoms for early detection and treatment if needed.