Early detection of scurvy disease in children for timely intervention

Sometimes the cause of poor breastfeeding is not the mother, but the baby has a condition called sclerosis in young children. It is important that you recognize the early signs of intervention.

Breastfeeding is sometimes a battle with many women. When a baby is fussy and crying because of hunger, the mother can be stressed, anxious and lead to depression . However, there are many reasons that prevent babies from being able to breastfeed, one of which is stiff tongue. 

1. What is scurvy in children?

Hard tongue in young children is quite common but is easily overlooked. About 4% of newborn babies have this disease, but it is usually not diagnosed early. As a result, your baby will have a stiff tongue if the skin under the tongue is too short or prolonged. If left undetected and treated, a hard tongue can cause many other serious complications.

2. Cause of hard tongue disease

The true cause of the disease isn't known, but the condition is often hereditary. Because of this, genes may play an important role, and you should keep an eye out if any child in your family has the disease.

3. Symptoms of a hard tongue in young children

If you have trouble breastfeeding, your baby should see a doctor to confirm this. Children with hard tongue may have the following symptoms:

Stimulation and fussy

Difficulty latching on the breast

No weight gain or weight loss

Because it is difficult to grasp the breast, the baby will often bite the mother's nipple, causing her pain.

If left untreated, a hard tongue can lead to many complications. Children with hard tongue when growing up will have the following symptoms:

Change the structure of the teeth and face

Difficulty eating

Digestive problems

Slow to speak

Difficulty in activities that require tongue like licking ice cream.

Besides, when a comprehensive examination, the baby will manifest:

Unable to put tongue over lips

Can't use your tongue to touch the palate

The tip of the blade is square or flat

The tip of the tongue is notched or heart shaped.

4. Hard tongue and lactation

The serious problem with scurvy is the difficulty in breastfeeding. Of course, every mother knows the benefits of breastfeeding not only for keeping her baby healthy, but also as a way of bonding between mother and baby.

Babies with a stiff tongue will not benefit from these benefits and will make breastfeeding tiring until the mother discovers the disease and cures her.

5. Treatment of sclerosis in young children

The good news is that many cases of sclerosis will go away on their own within the first 6 weeks of life. Many other babies can live normally with this disease, but there are still cases where the baby needs medical intervention.

Tongue removal surgery (which is a ligament connecting from the floor of the mouth to the bottom of the tongue) can cure a child's hard tongue after it is identified.

Age is not a problem with surgery, babies as young as 7 weeks old or 17 years old can have surgery.

Surgery is quite safe and effective. You still have another option: a lipoplasty, which helps to free the baby's tongue, but tongue removal surgery can be done without anesthesia. 

The problem with these surgeries is that one-third of children need re-surgery to fully recover.

Hard tongue is not a serious disease, but it can delay your child's facial development. If you suspect your child has a hard tongue, take him to the doctor for prompt treatment.