Children need supportive conditions for growth and development. This isn't just about physical growth, such as height and weight. Certain abilities must be achieved by certain ages. For example, certain ages require the ability to speak certain words. Certain ages require the ability to crawl or walk. One cause of disrupted growth and development is a child's health or illness.
The Importance of Optimal Timing of Surgery in Pediatric Surgical Disorders
If a child's illness requires surgery, there's an optimal timeframe for surgery. However, this window is often overlooked due to parental ignorance, unaffordable medical costs, or an inadequate referral system.
Emergency cases in infants are usually recognized more quickly by parents due to mandatory routine prenatal checkups. However, non-emergency cases or those in older children often exceed the optimal timeframe for surgery.
Surgical Diseases in Children That Need Early Treatment
Below we will discuss several cases that are frequently encountered in pediatric surgery polyclinics.
1. Tongue Tie (tongue tie)
Tongue-tie is a congenital disorder in which the tissue under the tongue restricts its movement. This condition is often accompanied by lip-tie.
Symptoms of Tongue Tie in Children
- Latching problems while breastfeeding
- Difficulty gaining weight due to nutritional intake disorders
- Excessive salivation (drooling)
- Difficulty chewing when starting solid food
- Speech delay
- Emotional disturbance due to difficulty pronouncing words clearly
In severe cases, tongue-tie removal is necessary. If detected early, a pediatric surgeon can perform the procedure before further complications arise.
2. Undescended Testis (udt)
Undescended testicles (UDT) are a condition in which the testicles are not in the scrotum and are retained elsewhere. This condition is often treated late because parents hope the testicles will descend on their own without surgery.
It is important to note that the testicles must be in the scrotum so that the sperm production process, which begins at around 6 months of age, is not disrupted.
Risks If Testicles Are Not Treated
- Future fertility problems (infertility)
- Risk of testicular torsion causing severe pain and tissue death
- Shrinkage to loss of testicles
- The risk of testicular cancer is higher in young adults
One variation of this condition is retractile testicles, where the testicles were once in the scrotum but then re-emerge. This condition still requires regular monitoring by a doctor.
3. Hirschsprung's Disease
Hirschsprung's disease is a nerve disorder in part of the large intestine that causes bowel movements.
Hirschsprung's Symptoms in Children
- The baby does not pass meconium in the first 48 hours
- Bloated
- Chronic constipation
- Recurrent diarrhea
- Severe gastrointestinal infection
In some cases, early symptoms are not apparent, so children are only brought to treatment when they already have malnutrition. Treatment for this condition requires intestinal surgery, along with nutritional improvement and infection treatment for optimal results.
4. Balanoposthitis
Balanoposthitis is an infection of the head of the penis and foreskin. This condition can cause swelling and severe pain.
Signs and Symptoms of Balanoposthitis
- Swelling at the tip of the penis
- Pain when urinating
- Obstructed urine flow
- High fever
- Pus coming out of the genital area
- Seizures in cases of severe infection
If left untreated, the infection can spread to the upper urinary tract and even the bladder. Surgery aims to clean the infected area and prevent serious complications.
The Importance of Early Detection and Pediatric Surgical Consultation
Emergency cases in infants are generally detected more quickly due to routine prenatal and neonatal checkups. However, in non-emergency cases or in older children, the optimal time for surgery is often missed.
Early detection and consultation with a pediatric surgeon is very important for:
- Prevent long-term complications
- Supporting optimal child growth and development
- Get better treatment and surgery results
Surgical abnormalities in children can have significant impacts on health and development if not treated promptly. By increasing parental awareness of the signs and symptoms of surgical abnormalities in children and conducting early screenings, the risk of complications can be minimized.
If parents suspect an abnormality in their child, immediately consult a specialist doctor or pediatric surgeon to get appropriate treatment.
Article written by Dr. Dina Perdanasari, Sp.BA (Pediatric Surgery Specialist at EMC Pekayon & Pulomas Hospital).