5 common children’s health problems parents often dismiss as part of growing up
By Cynthia Lodite, September 3, 2026Children go through many changes as they grow. They may become taller, lose baby teeth, develop new eating habits or experience changes in their sleep and behaviour.
However, not every change should simply be blamed on growing up. Some symptoms can point to health or developmental problems that may need medical attention.
According to the Mayo Clinic, mental illness in children can be hard for parents to notice. As a result, many children who could be helped by treatment don’t get the help they need.
For parents, knowing the difference can help ensure a child gets the right support early.
1. Frequent headaches
A child who complains of headaches once in a while may simply be tired, hungry or dehydrated. But headaches that happen often, are severe or interfere with school and normal activities should not always be dismissed.
Parents should pay attention to when the headaches occur and whether they come with other symptoms such as vomiting, vision problems, dizziness or unusual behaviour.
“Mental health conditions in children are most often defined as delays or changes in thinking, behaviors, social skills or control over emotions. These problems distress children. Mental health conditions disrupt their being able to act well at home, in school or in other social settings,” reads a report by Mayo Clinic.
Persistent or severe headaches should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
2. Always being tired
Children need plenty of rest, especially when they are active and attending school. However, constant tiredness can sometimes be a sign that something is wrong.
If a child regularly appears unusually weak, struggles to concentrate, sleeps excessively or lacks energy for activities they previously enjoyed, parents should consider having them checked.
Poor nutrition, sleep problems and some medical conditions can contribute to persistent fatigue.
3. Poor growth or failure to gain weight
Children grow at different rates, but significant concerns about height or weight should not automatically be attributed to being a “late bloomer.”
A healthcare professional can monitor a child’s growth over time and determine whether they are following an expected growth pattern.
Poor growth may sometimes be linked to inadequate nutrition, chronic illness or other underlying problems.
4. Delayed speech or difficulty communicating
Some parents may assume that a child who speaks later than their peers will eventually catch up.
While children develop at different speeds, significant delays in speech, language, hearing or communication deserve attention.
Early assessment can help identify whether a child needs additional support. The earlier developmental concerns are identified, the earlier appropriate interventions can begin.
5. Constant stomach problems
Stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea or bloating may occasionally happen to children. But when these problems keep returning, they should not always be dismissed as part of growing up.
Repeated stomach complaints can have several possible causes, ranging from dietary issues to infections and other medical conditions.
Parents should seek medical advice if symptoms are persistent, severe or accompanied by weight loss, blood in stool, repeated vomiting or other concerning changes.