Question
Medical Description: A five-and-a-half-month-old baby has been suffering from a yellowish area behind the ear; she sweats frequently, regardless of whether she is sleeping or being held; her diet is normal, but she often has diarrhea; and she has restless sleep, sometimes crying out suddenly and then falling back asleep. She has been examined at the county hospital and diagnosed with iron deficiency, taking “Iron Yuan” health supplement, but there has been no significant improvement. The requested assistance is to seek expert help for a definitive diagnosis and medication recommendations.
Answer
Hello, based on the description provided, it may be an enlarged lymph node behind the ear. Generally speaking, superficial areas of healthy children, such as behind the ear, under the neck, armpits, and inguinal area, may have palpable lymph nodes. Normally, these lymph nodes do not exceed the size of a soybean, are mostly solitary, soft in texture, painless, can be moved under the skin, and are not adherent to surrounding tissues. During a cold or fever, lymph nodes may swell as part of the immune system’s response. If the baby is otherwise healthy and the lymph nodes continue to swell, it is recommended to visit a pediatrician for examination to rule out other diseases.