15-year-old girl's belly is bulging and covered with "stretch marks", and her mother is horrified after the CT scan

A few months ago, an anxious couple brought their 15-year-old daughter, Xiaoting, to my clinic. Xiaoting's belly was abnormally bulging and her skin was covered with stretch marks, which panicked her parents. In their cognition, stretch marks are usually associated with pregnancy, and Xiaoting is still a minor student. How could such a situation happen? I immediately calmed their emotions and quickly arranged a series of examinations. The results of the CT scan shocked everyone-Xiaoting had a huge tumor in her abdominal cavity, which caused her abdomen to swell and her skin to stretch. Fortunately, after further examination, the tumor was diagnosed as benign. After careful preparation, Xiaoting underwent surgery, successfully removed the tumor, and regained her former vitality. This case made me deeply realize that the physical changes of adolescent girls are often easily misunderstood. Stretch marks, medically known as "skin expansion lines", are formed when the skin stretches rapidly in a short period of time, resulting in the rupture of elastic fibers.

It not only occurs in pregnant women, but also in adolescent children due to rapid physical development.

Xiaoting's example tells us that regular health checks are essential for adolescent children.

Parents should pay attention to their children's physical changes, especially when the following conditions occur, they should seek medical attention in time:

Unusual weight changes: If your child's weight increases or decreases dramatically in a short period of time, this may be a sign of an endocrine disorder or other health problem.

Abnormal menstrual cycles: For girls, irregular menstrual cycles, severe menstrual cramps, or abnormal menstrual bleeding may require medical intervention.

Skin problems: If acne, which is common during adolescence, becomes very severe, or other types of skin lesions such as rashes and eczema appear, you should consult our doctor.

Constant fatigue or low energy: If your child is constantly tired or lacks energy, this could be a sign of anemia, thyroid problems, or other chronic medical conditions.

Digestive problems: Persistent abdominal pain, indigestion, frequent diarrhea, or constipation may be signs of a digestive disorder.

Mental health issues: Teens may experience mood swings, but if they experience depression, anxiety, self-harmful behavior, or other mental health issues, they should seek professional help.

Vision or hearing problems: If a child complains of having trouble seeing or hearing clearly, vision and hearing tests should be done.

Bone and joint pain: Growing pains are normal, but if the pain persists or interferes with your daily life, you may need to be checked for bone or joint problems.

Sleep problems: Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, or other sleep disturbances may indicate a health problem.

Persistent headaches: Frequent or severe headaches should not be ignored and may require further neurological evaluation.

Parents should establish good communication with our doctors, take their children for regular health checks, and discuss any health concerns.

We can provide professional guidance to help parents and children understand the normal changes of puberty.

Remember, early detection and intervention are often the key to preventing and treating puberty-related problems.

At the end of the article, I would like to share some important knowledge about adolescent health:

Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development, and children need adequate nutrition and proper physical exercise.

Parents should establish open lines of communication with their children and encourage them to express their body feelings and concerns.

Adolescents also need special attention and support psychologically to help them successfully go through this stage of growth.

In addition, I would also like to emphasize the mental health issues of adolescent children.

Adolescence is a challenging period as children face multiple challenges including physical changes, academic pressure, and interpersonal relationships.

Parents and educators should provide a supportive and understanding environment to help them build confidence and learn to cope with stress and setbacks.

In terms of nutrition, adolescents are in a stage of rapid growth and they need a balanced diet to support their physical development.

Parents should make sure their children get enough protein, vitamins and minerals, while limiting their intake of high-sugar, high-fat foods to prevent obesity and other health problems.

Physical exercise is also an integral part of adolescent health.

Moderate exercise not only helps control weight, but also enhances cardiopulmonary function, improves immunity and promotes bone health.

Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports activities that interest them, whether it is team sports or personal hobbies, so that they can develop social skills and team spirit while exercising their bodies. Finally, I would like to say that adolescence is a special period in life, which is full of changes and challenges, but also full of opportunities and growth. As parents and doctors, our responsibility is to guide and support children to grow up healthily, help them establish correct health concepts, and cultivate good living habits. Thank you for reading. If you think this article is helpful to you, please don’t forget to like and collect it. Your support is our motivation to continue sharing health knowledge. Let us work together to create a healthier society.