posted
When my niece was 2 months pregnant I saw an enlarged lymph node behind her right ear, with 3 scabs under it, but no tick. She lives in an endemic area with deer in her backyard. A regional lymph node can be a sign of Lyme.
I told her it could be Lyme and she needed to be checked and it is best to get IGeneX Western Blot, and Lyme can be passed congenitally. I don't think she ever did anything about it.
Her son is 19 months old. He had colic and crying and poor sleep in first few months.
He has now had about 9 ear infections with fever, and some seem to recur 2-3 weeks off Amoxicillin or Augmentin. The pediatric ENT wants to put tubes in mid Sept.
He has vomiting sometimes, not related to antibiotics or infections.
He also had pneumonia once and possibly strep throat.
Since last ear infection, I feel he has lost some words. For example, he used to answer when asked , "what does the cat say" "Meow" and now he doesn't.
He has normal muscle tone-he is not floppy.
I am very concerned that he has congenital Lyme. If they saved cord blood, they could do PCR on cord blood.. As I understand, b/c he has had so many antibiotics, his Western Blot would most likely be negative.
If my niece, who feels well, would agree to an IGeneX Lyme and co-infection blood test that would only be helpful if positive, but still I think it would be worthwhile. Maybe a CD57 would be helpful too.
Anyone have experience with congenital Lyme? Any info, personal accounts , helpful hints would be appreciated. I know there is a pediatric Lyme M.D., but i don't think the parents would agree to go.
Also, if my great-nephew has had so many ear infections, and it is from Lyme, does anyone know if just taking the appropriate antbx for the right amount of time is all he will need. Or, would he need ear tube placement anyway, because of so many infections. Basically, can he avoid the surgery, if he gets the right Lyme antibiotic treatment. I have read that kids will respond to continuous antibiotics, but it may take months or years.
The little boy looks like an angel--I don't want him to suffer needlessly, or have a surgery that he doesn't need. Any input would help. Thanx in advance.
BTW, I have CDC+ Lyme >10 years.
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Posts: 51 | From Boston, Ma. | Registered: May 2009
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I gave my boys Lyme congenitally without knowing so I didn't have to make treatment options until they were 15 and 17.
He does sound like Lyme could be a possibility.
His antibiotics may have stirred up the buggers and that is actually why he is having more symptoms. Some people do an antibiotic push to get better testing results.
Maybe the pediatrician would sign for IgeneX labs since MA has Lyme. Then your niece could make the decision about seeing a Lyme MD.
I don't believe in my son's case as a youngster that treating Lyme would have prevented two sets of tubes. If the ear isn't formed right to allow for drainage, then antibiotics won't help.
I think there is a congenital Lyme group on facebook. You might want to try there for a more answers.
Kids is Lyme is heartbreaking. I hope you get answers soon.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
My children all have congenital lyme. They all had chronic ear infections, strep throat, and one had colic, plus they each had/have individual issues/symptoms.
My 7 year old threw a huge tantrum tonight that would be "normal" if she was 2, not 7. Her neurological issues have been there since birth, but of course, I had no clue that she had Lyme, since I went so many years undiagnosed.
Another reason for the possible ear infections is diet; does the baby drink cow's milk? Gluten? Other dairy? Cutting the cow's milk can make a world of difference.
posted
My son probably has congenital Lyme as we don't recall ever seeing a tick bite despite we live in an endemic area. I also think that it's possible that he inherited Lyme but was reinfected with Bartonela. His medical history includes ear infections to the point of getting tubes by age 3. He had pneumonia at 2.5 and mono at 5. He's been sickly all his life but surviving. This year, he started complaining of back pain, joint pain and then the neurological problems began. He's been on orals for 5 months and will be moving to iv soon. He missed most of his 5th grade year as well as sports. It's a horrible thing to see a kid's childhood robbed because of this disease. I hope this little boy can get checked out and treated if necessary. Jen
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