Signs & Symptoms of a Brain Tumor in a Toddler

The average age a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor is between 3 and 8 years old. This is mostly due to the fact that a tumor may be delaying their physical or mental development. These are a variety of symptoms found in a toddler with a brain tumor, which should alert a parent to seek treatment.

Headaches

It may be surprising that not every toddler experiences headaches that are often associated with a brain tumor. Some feel no pain in their head, which may make a diagnosis that much more surprising to a parent. Others will experience mild to serious headaches, but they're unable to explain it or the pain is so minimal that they continue her normal activities.

Blurred Vision

Depending on the size and location of the brain tumor, a toddler may experience blurred vision. Parents may notice this if their child is not walking straight or reaches farther to the left or right . Again, this does not present itself in all cases of toddler's with a brain tumor.

Coordination

Toddlers are notoriously clumsy, but if yours was not previously or has had a radical change in coordination, it may be due to a brain tumor. As previously mentioned, a brain tumor can blur the vision and cause a toddler to become dizzy and unbalanced. However, the tumor may also be pressing on the part of the brain that controls the toddler's coordination and balance and that is why he suddenly has more trouble just walking or running.

Vomiting

Vomiting is common when something is wrong with the brain, whether it is a simple headache or something serious like a brain tumor. The vomiting may be caused by the brain tumor itself or it may be brought on by the headaches or blurred vision that is caused by the brain tumor.

Mood

Mood swings are fairly common in toddlers for various reasons, but mood swings related to brain tumors are often more severe and happen quickly. One moment the toddler may be happy and the next moment she is yelling for no reason and then quickly returns to being happy. This may sound "normal" for a toddler, but a parent should be able to recognize the difference in mood swings that are normal for their child and those that are not.

Seizures

Many people think of seizures in terms of a person's body experiencing violent spasms. This can be true, but seizures can also be almost silent if nobody is watching the toddler carefully. The motions may be barely noticeable, but the toddler may begin to drool and his eyes may appear to be unresponsive. Either type of seizure may present itself when a toddler has a brain tumor.