Cervical swellings in children are especially common up to the age of 7 years or so. As a rule, they appear after the 6th month of life, except for rare cases that appear at birth.

They refer to palpable formations of the neck that often accompany the child for long periods of time. They are characterized as lymphadenopathy and in 85% of cases, it is due to viral or microbial factors and in smaller percentages to congenital cysts, to specific inflammations and neoplasms.

The child’s cervix is ​​dotted with organs of the defense lymphatic system, known as lymph nodes, which swell in response to any cause in the child’s head and neck.

Inflammatory lymphadenopathy

When palpating a child’s cervix, we always perceive the presence of small mobile and painless lymph nodes that have no clinical significance, nor do they need laboratory testing. It is the result of old or recent viral infections, mainly from the area of ​​the nose and pharynx. They may also be due to mild skin lesions of the face and scalp.

If one or more lymph nodes are swollen and accompanied by pain and fever, they should be evaluated by the pediatrician and depending on the clinical picture and laboratory findings, he will decide whether or not antibiotic treatment is needed. Oral medication, when necessary, usually cures lymphadenopathy.

In very rare cases, intravenous treatment is needed, and in rare cases, surgical drainage.

Special Inflammations

These are rare forms of cervical lymphadenopathy, the causes of which are specific microorganisms (tuberculosis, atypical tuberculosis, cat nail or coat disease, brucellosis, actinomycete, etc.). The lymph nodes in these cases are more characteristic, persist despite treatment and are usually not accompanied by fever.
The above lymphadenopathy is treated on a case-by-case basis, once the cause has been identified, with special medication, or by removing the affected lymph node.

Congenital Cervical Swellings

These are mainly cystic formations of the cervix that are evident immediately after birth and less often at a later age. They are due to fetal remains or fetal malformations. The diagnosis is easy, confirmed by imaging (ultrasound, MRI and rarely CT) and the treatment is surgical removal of the swelling.

Neoplastic Cervical Swellings

They concern 4-6% of cervical swellings. They are lumps that are hard, immobile, are not accompanied by fever, and do not resolve with the use of consecutive antibiotic regimens. These are usually lymphomas and less often other malignant neoplasms. In these cases, timely laboratory and imaging testing, surgical removal of the pathology and its histological evaluation are required, in order to start the appropriate treatment immediately.

in conclusion

Palpation of cervical lymph nodes should not worry parents. It is a normal reaction of the lymphatic system to viruses, mainly of the upper respiratory tract.

Enlarged, painful lymph nodes, accompanied by fever, should be evaluated by a pediatrician. Malignant diseases of the cervical lymph nodes are very rare and the most important thing is that they usually have a very good prognosis.