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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Persistent Fever In A Child Along With Loss Of Appetite?

Hi about 6 weeks ago my daughter came down with a high fever of 105 out of nowhere. long story short it went away but she started coughing a week later and was diagnosed with croup. She was given steroids and albuterol breathing treatments as needed and eventually got better. However she has continued to run a low grade fever ever since (6 weeks and counting) and it ranges between 99.5 and 101.4. Before she got sick she always ran quite low (97 s). She had a blood test done the end of March everything normal except 77 lymphocytes and 15 neutrophils. I took her back today and retested but will not find out until Monday and am losing sleep because of how worried I am! Could this point to leukemia or lymphoma? The only other symptoms she has are loss of appetite ( no weight loss) and extremely cranky. Sometimes she wakes up at night saying ouchie but she cannot tell me what hurts. She turned two January 19th. On top of the cbc I am having her tested for uti and also mono. If she did have some kind of cancer would her blood tests be off more than they are???
Mon, 1 May 2023
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Understandably, you are worried about your daughter's persistent fever and other symptoms. While some types of leukemia or lymphoma can cause a fever and other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats, it is important to remember that there are many other possible causes of fever and loss of appetite in children. These can include viral or bacterial infections, allergies, autoimmune conditions, and more.

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test that can provide information about the number and types of blood cells in the body. While abnormal blood cell counts can be a sign of some types of leukemia or lymphoma, it is important to note that these conditions are relatively rare, especially in young children. In addition, abnormal blood counts can also be caused by other conditions or maybe a temporary fluctuation in response to an infection or other stressors.

Other tests such as a urinalysis and mono test can also help to rule out other possible causes of your daughter's symptoms. If these tests do not provide a clear explanation for her symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend further evaluation such as imaging studies or referral to a specialist.

It is important to continue to monitor your daughter's symptoms and follow up with her healthcare provider as recommended. If her symptoms worsen or she develops new symptoms such as severe pain or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Persistent Fever In A Child Along With Loss Of Appetite?

Hi, Understandably, you are worried about your daughter s persistent fever and other symptoms. While some types of leukemia or lymphoma can cause a fever and other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats, it is important to remember that there are many other possible causes of fever and loss of appetite in children. These can include viral or bacterial infections, allergies, autoimmune conditions, and more. A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test that can provide information about the number and types of blood cells in the body. While abnormal blood cell counts can be a sign of some types of leukemia or lymphoma, it is important to note that these conditions are relatively rare, especially in young children. In addition, abnormal blood counts can also be caused by other conditions or maybe a temporary fluctuation in response to an infection or other stressors. Other tests such as a urinalysis and mono test can also help to rule out other possible causes of your daughter s symptoms. If these tests do not provide a clear explanation for her symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend further evaluation such as imaging studies or referral to a specialist. It is important to continue to monitor your daughter s symptoms and follow up with her healthcare provider as recommended. If her symptoms worsen or she develops new symptoms such as severe pain or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician