2.5 year old toddler limp, second opinion?

[Mummyofmonkeys]

Hi, my toddler has been limping since Saturday. It’s more pronounced when he’s tired but he says he’s not in pain and he hasn’t injured himself to my knowledge to cause the limp. He’s also had really raised lymph nodes on both sides for a few weeks with no obvious sign of infection.

Took him to the gp yesterday who said large raised lymph nodes are normal but to keep an eye and his limp is caused by “cartilage growth” if he is going through a growth spurt but to come back in a month if it’s not settled. It’s been really bad this afternoon and he even asked to get the buggy for him earlier because he was too fired and he was literally dragging his leg at this point (he’s not used the buggy in months!)

FWIW: she didn’t check his leg, hip or do any obs or vital checks, basically nothing.

AIBU to get a second opinion sooner than a month?! Can’t work out if I’m being neurotic.

The current update is that his bloods came back a bit whacky with an alkaline phosphate level of 1435 (they’re meant to be under 330 or something like that). He’s having another blood test in 2 weeks to see what happens with that. Because of his raised nodes, limp and stomach pains and issues it is highly indicative of something not too great but not going to worry too much until I have to. Just stressful.

Sorry to hear you've got these worries OP. I hope they can get to the bottom of it soon. How is your little one in himself? I hope you're holding up xx

Oh goodness I am so sorry, there is nothing so stressful as worrying about an unwell child. I really hope it all turns out ok and that you’ve got good support, the wait is agony xxx

I’m a GP. With these symptoms and results he should be having a same day Paediatric review. Please take him back tomorrow for a referral. If you can’t see the GP then attend A&E somewhere with a Paediatric department.

I did think this. I’ve done a little research and according to the NICE guidelines he should have had a specialist review within 48 hours. The GP said to me if she was really concerned she would have sent us to a&e but I just don’t know 😩 feel like I just don’t trust HCPs all that much anymore even when they’re really lovely and thorough.

Honestly with these symptoms I’d be at A&E and would have been weeks ago (I think I commented at the time saying to go there given the concerning symptoms). Your GP dismissed you the first time and now you’re awaiting bloods again in 2 weeks. Your child needs reviewing by a paediatrician today.

my DD had a limp. She got sent on to the children’s ward. Told she had a bone infection and needed to IV antibiotics in hospital for a fortnight.

OP I also wouldn’t wait 2 weeks for another blood test. I would call the GP today and insist on a referral to peads today or like pp said turn up at an a&e with a peads. The worst thing that happens if you make a fuss now and push for more and turns out he’s absolutely fine…nothing (except the brilliant news he’s fine and you don’t wait in huge stress for weeks). Don’t feel guilty questioning your GP (if that’s what’s troubling you). Wishing your little one a speedy recovery.

I'd go straight to A&E today with those symptoms @Mummyofmonkeys - absolutely no question about it

Please go to A and E right now. I did say this before. Make sure it’s an A and E which sees children. Please let us know what happens. You’ll have people (like me) who are professionals giving you this advice.

please go to A&E… child will have a paeds review or better ask the GP to refer to Paeds urgent unit!

Hope all is ok OP

Just want to say I’m thinking of you and your wee one OP x

Hi @Mummyofmonkeys how is your son now? My daughter has been limping