Neck pain in children

Many parents mistakenly believe that their children's complaints about neck pain are a manifestation of childhood whims or, in the worst case, the consequences of some minor bruise. Unfortunately, such a dismissive attitude can lead to disastrous consequences, because neck pain in children often signals really serious problems or illnesses.

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Where does it hurt?

Neck pain in children and adolescents can appear in the front, back and on both sides. In each individual case, it can be a symptom of various diseases. We offer you the following classification of neck pain according to the zones of its manifestation:

• Pain in the front of the neck is most often caused by throat diseases (tonsillitis, tracheitis), their complications (for example, cervical lymphadenitis)

• Pain in the sides of the neck is often accompanied by muscle tightness on the painful side. In infants, the diagnosis of "torticollis" is quite common - it can be a consequence of birth injuries or other, previously unknown to medicine, causes. If a child is born with "torticollis", then his permanent head position is as follows: it is tilted to the side that is affected by this disease, since the neck muscles in this place are very tight, and the chin looks in the opposite direction. With proper physiotherapy, such "torticollis" can be successfully treated. But if you do not pay attention to such a problem in time, then with each year the percentage of success in treatment will decrease, and the child's face may become asymmetrical. Also, pain in the sides of the neck in older children can be caused by a number of other reasons: an uncomfortable pillow, being in a draft, viral parotitis, popularly known as "mumps" (during this disease, there is a strong increase in lymph nodes and significant swelling of the child's neck is possible).

• Pain in the back of the neck and head may indicate such a complex disease as meningitis - inflammation of the membranes of the brain. If the child has a fever, a constant headache, and when trying to touch the chin to the chest, there is a strong pinching and pain in the neck in children, which does not allow this simple movement to be performed - you should immediately consult a doctor with suspected meningitis. In most cases, this disease occurs in young children under 5 years of age. If the cause of meningitis is a virus, then such a disease is quite easily and successfully treated in a hospital setting. But there is such a serious type of meningitis as meningococcemia - inflammation of the membranes of the brain caused by the meningococcus bacterium. This is a dangerous disease, as it develops rapidly. Children in infancy are a special risk group. The disease may be accompanied by severe intracranial pressure, as evidenced by a swollen fontanelle in a child, severe pain, fever, sometimes fainting, convulsions (in a severe stage). In addition, small bluish pimples appear on the body. Unfortunately, such a rash signals that the disease is rapidly developing. In any case, at the first, slightest suspicion of such a disease, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Other Causes of Neck Pain in Children

Along with the above reasons, there are others that often cause painful sensations in the neck in children and adolescents. These include injuries and bruises of the neck resulting from a bruise or a sharp turn of the head. Sometimes children do not attach much importance to such minor injuries, but they can subsequently cause pain. Children are also prone to muscle spasms in the neck, which cause painful sensations. The possibility of arthritis should be considered separately. But in this case, pain in the neck is not the only symptom. In addition to it, the child feels pain in the joints and there is swelling in the joints and pain when moving them. In any case, it becomes clear that neck pain in children should not be underestimated. Timely contact with a pediatrician or traumatologist can relieve the child of unpleasant sensations and reduces the risk of unforeseen consequences.