There is something inherently unfair about seeing your child get sick, and almost every parent in the world would do anything possible to make things better. It can be even more frustrating when the condition is rare, no one knows what caused it, and treatments are time consuming, side effects can be challenging, and your child may or may not show improvement.
Such is the case with pediatric sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis occurs when cells clump together (granulomatosis) and collect most commonly in the eyes and lungs. The name comes from Caesar Boeck, who in 1899, observed skin nodules that looked like sarcoma, also a rare disease. Sarcoma was relatively unknown in the 20th century until the AIDS epidemic hit, and it was identified as a co-morbidity as the result of a compromised immune system.
But getting back to the pediatric patient with sarcoidosis. Treatments vary from patient-to-patient, and steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the symptoms, which can range from mild to very severe. Physical therapy is also part of the treatment protocol, and occupational therapy may be indicated to help children learn to cope with their day-to-day lives with sarcoidosis. Very young children often have skin, eye, and lung problems, while older children generally suffer from pulmonary issues. Conversely, some children who are diagnosed with sarcoidosis have one flare and are never affected by it again.
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