The medical care of a child is usually aimed at preventing serious illness. This is why children should be examined regularly by a doctor or other health professional. The child need not be ill at the time of these visits. In fact, if the child is sick, the routine examination may be delayed until the child has recovered. These routine visits to the doctor are sometimes called “well-child” or “well-baby” checkups. They are often planned at the same times as required immunization.

Although they are extremely important, immunizations are only a small part of keeping your child healthy. At the time of the checkup the child also should be examined thoroughly, have routine tests, be measured to find out if he or she is growing normally, and have his or her physical and mental development evaluated.

For a baby or a small child, the measurements include height or length, weight, and also head circumference. The changes in these measurements as the child grows can be charted on a graph, and compared to the normal range of child development. If the child is not growing normally over a period of time, the doctor will check to see if the problem is caused by a growth disorder or by some other disease or abnormality. If such problems are found early, they can sometimes be corrected before any lasting damage is done.

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Baldness is a loss of hair either in one spot or over the entire scalp. Some infants are born bald or nearly so and develop a full head of hair during their first two years. Rarely do babies born bald remain bald for life. Other babies are born with a full head of hair. They may remain that way, or their original hair may be replaced by a second and permanent growth. Rarely is hair lost during infancy and never replaced.

Infants commonly rub off a band of hair in the back against the crib or playpen mat. Hair that is rubbed off in this way will grow back. Drawing the hair tightly into pigtails, braids, or ponytails also may result in temporary bald spots. Children with the habit of twisting and playing with strands of hair may also lose hair. Emotionally disturbed children may pull out their hair by the handfuls (trichotillomania); this condition requires treatment of the child’s emotional problems.

Alopecia areata is a condition which results in the sudden appearance of round or oval areas that are totally bare. The bald scalp may be completely normal in appearance or slightly pink. Although temporary, the condition may last for months or years. Rarely is the entire head involved. The cause is unknown.

Ringworm of the scalp produces scattered bald spots. The scalp is scaly, and the bald spots are studded with broken-off stubbles of hair.

Hereditary baldness occurs primarily in males. It causes baldness at the temples or the top of the scalp. Occasionally this type of baldness starts during adolescence.

Teenagers often complain that they are “going bald” when they see loose hair after combing. Usually this condition is merely a normal thinning of the hair that does not worsen.

Malfunction of the parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism) may result in scattered baldness. The disease is accompanied by other signs of illness.

Impetigo and other infections of the scalp produce temporary bald spots.

Signs and symptoms

Inspect the scalp closely for signs of ringworm or infection. Look for broken or re-growing hairs. Watch to see if the child is rubbing the head against the playpen or crib, or if the child has a habit of twisting or pulling the hair.

Home care

Alopecia areata is treated with patience and time. Hereditary and congenital baldness (baldness present at birth) are treated with understanding and love; a hairpiece may be helpful.

Precautions

• Do not treat baldness with over-the-counter (OTC) preparations that promise growth of hair.

• Do not consult cosmetologists. See a qualified dermatologist.

Medical treatment

Alopecia areata is sometimes successfully treated with steroids either applied to the skin or locally injected. Hyperparathyroidism must be diagnosed by blood tests; it is treated with prescribed doses of vitamin D and a special diet.

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Diabetes Associations are well established in most countries. Most of their members are people with diabetes whose aim is to help themselves and other people with diabetes lead a full and healthy life. Thus they may help in many ways, such as advice with social, diet, employment and travel problems, or information about the medical and other facilities available for people with diabetes. Many diabetic associations run holiday camps for children with diabetes, and publish a regular magazines and booklets giving information of interest to people with diabetes.

Diabetes Australia, like most Diabetes Associations, has a medical and scientific section for doctors and scientists who specialize in the care of diabetes, or who are involved with research in diabetes. There is also an association of Diabetes Educators. This leads to cooperation and the sharing of knowledge at all levels of care of those with diabetes. A very important aspect of this association is the support and sponsoring of research in diabetes.

You will probably want to join your state branch of Diabetes Australia because it could be very helpful to you, and it will allow you to support an organization which is established to help all persons with diabetes in the community by advice, information, negotiation with outside bodies and in research.

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