Enlarged lymph node on DD(5) neck. Blood test Wednesday and I'm petrified

[Justamuma]

My DD aged 5 has had an obviously enlarged node in her left side of her neck that I noticed a few weeks ago when she looked up.

I took her to the GP today and he measured it and said it was around 1.5cm - he then felt her lymph nodes in other places and also found a pea size 1cm lymph node in her groin.

As a result, he's referred her for a blood test and my health anxiety is just through the roof now as I'm petrified it could be leukaemia because there's enlarged lymph nodes in 2 places. I've heard of them being felt in the next but never the groin. She does have a graze on the knee on that side.

the earliest blood test I can get is Wednesday so I was just wondering if anyone could offer me some positive stories to keep me afloat until then? I feel sick with worry.

For full context- no lethargy, full of beans from morning- night. No weight loss or loss of appetite or night sweats. She's a pale blonde and does bruise easily on her legs.

If he thought leukaemia he would have sent you straight to hospital.she is well.

We had chronically enlarged lymph nodes in my 1 year old, sent for blood tests, all fine.

Lymph nodes can stay enlarged for a long long time after a period of infection. She's still little and will be fighting stuff off all the time.

Important to check, but you're right, this is your health anxiety talking.

You've got this ❤️

My best friend had exactly this with her 4yo who was also pale and tired and had been poorly on/off for a couple of months. She was also petrified of leukemia but it was a standard infection that was treated with antibiotics and he's now totally fine.

My son has an enlarged lymph node on his neck, it's around the same size (I think they said 1.1cm but that was the gp measuring with his hands which must be difficult to do accurately). They sent us for blood tests and everything was fine. I had to wait a few weeks for the test. They made it clear they only sent me because I'd taken him to the doctors a few times over it (I kept being told it would go down but it never did). It's there all the time, I can always see it but I've been told not to worry. The doctors didn't check for any groin lymph nodes as far as im aware as I dont recall them taking his nappy off.

Hopefully all will be fine. I'm not a medical expert but I really panicked so know how you are feeling. I was reassured that an unwell child would be acting unwell, and mine was full of energy! Also, in my area, they only usually send children for tests with lymph nodes bigger than 2cm.

Edited to add that my son's lymph node has been the same way for at least 18 months.

I'm surprised theyve even sent you for one less than 2cm, my daughter (also 5) has loads! They come and go but take months at a time. She's never been referred for bloods as always less than 2cm which GP says is the cut off. So I'm glad they're being thorough but without any other symptoms I really wouldn't panic. Buy some elma cream for the blood tests - backs of hands and bends of elbows. You need more than you think - smooth a big blob then cover in cling film until you get there.

Is she quite slim? My very slender DD had what the GP descibed as a "necklace" of enlarged glands when she was a similar age, and was sent for investigations as a precaution. They were found to be perfectly OK, although they were noticeable for several years - the doctor said they can be quite noticeable in children who are on the thinner side.

My DD is 18 now!

Thank you so much everyone for your reassurance- @Godrabbitgreat idea, I will go and get some tomorrow. I've booked a mobile phlebotomist to come to the house to get them done as she's petrified of needles after a stint in hospital with orbital cellulitis 🫠

@AFieldOfStarsyes she's very slim- she dances and does gymnastics so there's nothing to her really. I think it's the extra one in the groin that's really thrown me as I didn't think they were meant to be felt there!

My daughter had her blood tests around 2 weeks ago and all results came back normal -this felt like such a relief - but the paeds team got back to the GP and said if it's still there after 6 weeks to refer again. now we are around the 6 weeks mark and it's still there and looks to be the same size. I'm panicking again now. Could it still be something sinister even with normal bloods?!

Hi OP, my DS has enlarged nodes (always has) and he has an autoimmune condition (coeliac disease) so has regular blood tests, but every Dr we have seen said not to worry if the lymph nodes are enlarged, as some kids just seem to have more obvious nodes than others (you cannot see / feel my daughters, but my son's are BIG). Obviously, if your DC was unwell with enlarged nodes, then of course there should be further checks to make sure all is OK (which it sounds is the case with your DD).

I would try not to worry (I know, it's like telling a bird not to fly!), but if she's had one clear blood result, then her enlarged nodes are probably just how she was built! I knew someone else who had 5 children, and 1 had big nodes but kind of grew into them the older they got as they filled out.

I have recently been through something very similar with my teenager. Absolutely terrifying time and beside myself with worry. Bloods all normal but also sent for a scan. Seen by consultant radiologist who said totally normal. What might help reassure you was that she said the peak time she saw this was age 4/5 in skinny children. My lad is very lean and muscly. Lymph node only a ml under his skin sitting over muscle so appears protruding, but totally normal.

sending you calming thoughts. I totally understand the worry you are going through

We've been back to day to the GP as it's been 6 weeks and he said he thinks it's now bigger than 2 so is referring to paeds. This has just sent me spiraling again 🙁 has anyone had a lymph node being bigger than 2cm in a child but normal bloods and it all been ok? No idea how long the referral wait is.

Hopeful bump?