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Children's health

DS has spoon shaped nails

6 replies

PalcumTowder · 18/03/2016 08:19

I've looked on the NHS website which says it could be because of a number of things. Should I do anything about it? Seems silly to go to the doctors but if it's something that could be a symptom then maybe I should...? He's perfectly healthy, it's just his two big toe nails. He's 2.5.

Thanks.

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minipie · 18/03/2016 08:30

DD's two big toe nails are also spoon shaped, she's 3.5.

All my dad's nails are spoon shaped.

I always just thought it was a quirk...

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PalcumTowder · 18/03/2016 08:32

Maybe it is, but no-one else in my family has it which I guess is why it stood out to me.

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minipie · 18/03/2016 08:36

Koilonychia (Spoon-shaped Nails). Koilonychia is defined as a concave dorsal surface, sufficient to hold a drop of water. This condition is common in neonates and early childhood, usually on the great toenails, is caused by the fact that nails at this age are thin and soft, and it spontaneously resolves in a few years. There is a correlation between koilonychia and mild iron deficiency in infants. Although koilonychia is a temporary physiological condition in infants, it may also result from several congenital and acquired causes, such as ectodermal dysplasias, trichothiodystrophia, LEOPARD (lentigines, EKG abnormalities, ocular hypertelorism, pulmonary stenosis, abnormalities of genitalia, retardation of growth and deafness) syndrome, nail-patella syndrome, thyroid diseases, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, AA, psoriasis, lichen planus and Darier's disease, or may be idiopathic or traumatic.

Seems most likely to be the first thing listed, ie something kids get and grow out of!

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minipie · 18/03/2016 08:37

If he has no other health issues I wouldn't worry (or go to the GP) myself

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FloatyFlo · 18/03/2016 08:38

I have trouble with my iron levels and my nails go flat and start to spoon when my levels are low

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PalcumTowder · 18/03/2016 08:57

Thank you mini that's very reassuring. He's perfectly healthy except a bit of mild asthma so I bet it's the "grow out of it" one.

I will keep an eye on his iron levels just in case as we don't eat red meat and he's getting fussy with vegetables, but I won't bother the doctors.

Thanks all!