Pediatric Lyme

Recognizing Lyme Disease in Children: Lessons From Clinical Practice Over the years in clinical practice I have evaluated a number of adolescents and children with suspected Lyme disease, often after symptoms had evolved over time. While Lyme disease is commonly associated with a rash or joint swelling, many younger patients present with patterns that are […]

When to Suspect Lyme Disease in Children Lyme disease should be considered in children who develop unexplained fatigue, joint pain, headaches, or behavioral changes after spending time outdoors in tick-endemic areas. Because children often present differently than adults, early signs may be subtle and easily mistaken for common childhood conditions. Children ages 5–14 represent one

Risk of Chronic Illness from Lyme Disease The Risk of Chronic Illness from Lyme Disease Begins Early The risk of chronic illness from Lyme disease does not affect adults alone. Children can be particularly vulnerable—not only to the initial infection but also to long-term complications when diagnosis or treatment is delayed. Some of the most

Childhood Lyme Disease: What It Really Takes From Children Childhood Lyme disease doesn’t just make children sick—it can take their confidence, their joy, and the childhood they should be living. It can affect attention, mood, and energy long before it is recognized as an infection—often altering development in ways that are easy to miss and

Lyme Disease Misdiagnosis: Why It Happens and What to Know Lyme disease is frequently misdiagnosed—not because clinicians lack skill, but because the illness can involve multiple organ systems and evolve over time. As discussed in Why Lyme Disease Tests the Limits of Medicine, diagnostic challenges often arise when symptoms overlap with more common conditions or

They Said It Was ADHD — But It Was Lyme Disease A father brought his 12-year-old son to my office after months of growing concern. His son had always been active and curious — the kind of kid who couldn’t wait to get outside or build something with his hands. But lately, something had shifted.

Why Did My Child Suddenly Change? PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme Disease in Children PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme disease can trigger sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms in children. Understanding these conditions can help families seek the right evaluation and treatment. One of the most distressing things a parent can witness is a sudden, unexplained change in their child.

Only a Minority of Children With Lyme Disease Recall a Tick Bite Children and Lyme Disease: Why Most Never See a Tick Bite Many parents believe that Lyme disease cannot occur unless a tick bite is seen or a rash appears. However, research shows that most children diagnosed with Lyme disease never recall a tick

When Doctors Say Nothing Is Wrong: Pediatric Lyme Disease and Missed Diagnoses A mother brings her daughter to multiple physicians over several months. The child has fatigue, headaches, and joint pain. Each visit ends the same way: “The tests are normal. There’s nothing wrong.” But the symptoms persist—and worsen. Situations like this raise a difficult