UrbanBaby - Took 18mo for check up today, and I ment...

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Took 18mo for check up today, and I mentioned to ped that he doesn't seem to be articulating so well. She wasn't really worried, and then noticed he had fluid in one of his ears. She suggested that we give him Claritin (liquid) everyday for a month to see if it clears up. Had anyone heard of this?
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- General Topics
- New York City
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11.06.09, 06:54 PM [ Flag ]
- op: by the way, has never had ear infection
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  11.06.09, 06:56 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - not a fan of medicating a child so young. I suggest you take him to a pediatric ENT instead. 18 mo. isn't so old not to be articulating very much (easily in the range still) but if there is a water in the ear situation, it can delay speech b/c they can't hear as well and it is hard to learn to speak. 30 days of meds for a healthy 18 mo isn't my cup of tea.
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    11.06.09, 06:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- She thinks he is allergic to something? I would personally want to try to find out what.
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  11.06.09, 06:57 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- maybe take child to see a pediatric ENT (otolaryngologist, ear, nose, throat).
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  11.06.09, 06:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- nope, but then dc never had fluid in the ears. i would get a second opinion. is speech delayed? have you noticed hearing issues?
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  11.06.09, 06:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- Children who have fluid in their ears often can not hear well so they talk later. My dh had to have tubes put in because his ears were always clogged with fluid. I would keep a close watch on it.
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  11.06.09, 06:59 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- our son also had fluid in his ears--also no ear infections. this can happen to little kids with short eustacian tubes. eventually, as they grow, the problem resolves itself. i've never heard of giving claritin to clear this up--i am not sure why that would work! i would recommend taking your child to the ENT and getting it checked out. our son had to get tubes b/c the fluid prevented him from hearing. by the time they fell out, the problem was gone. GL!
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  11.06.09, 07:01 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - thanks everyone! will definitely schedule appt with ENT. Want to avoid medicating as well...
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    11.06.09, 07:32 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]