Nisha Pandey

Newborn’s Nail Infection Leads Doctors To Aggressive Brain Tumour: What Are Glioblastoma's Symptoms In Babies?

A tiny infection under a newborn’s fingernail turned out to be an important clue that led doctors to an unexpected and life-threatening diagnosis of an aggressive brain tumour. 

<span>Joey Sharp</span>, from Penicuik in Midlothian, <span>Scotland</span>, was just 11 days old when his parents took him back to hospital after he began struggling to feed, losing weight and developing persistent jaundice. He was also showing signs of twitching intermittently. 

<h2>A Tiny Nail Problem Led Doctors To Look Further </h2>

While examining the newborn, doctors noticed what appeared to be a very small infection in one of his fingernails. According to Joey’s mother, Sam Sharp, the abnormality was so tiny that it looked almost like a grain of sand beneath the nail. 

But while doctors were investigating the problem, an ultrasound revealed a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/84-cancer-patients-report-benefit-from-ivermectin-mebendazole-what-the-study-found-why-more-trials-are-needed-article-156034007" data-type="tilCustomLink">tumour</a> in Joey’s brain. 

The discovery came as Joey’s other symptoms were becoming increasingly concerning. What initially looked like a minor problem with his finger became part of a much larger medical investigation. 

Joey was subsequently diagnosed with <span>glioblastoma</span>, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/bbc-news-presenter-maryam-moshiri-reveals-incurable-blood-cancer-what-is-polycythemia-vera-article-156101058" data-type="tilCustomLink">BBC News Presenter Maryam Moshiri Reveals Incurable Blood Cancer: What Is Polycythemia Vera?</a>

<h2>Why Were Doctors Looking At His Finger? </h2>

The nail infection itself was not reported as the cause of the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/psychedelic-compound-found-in-magic-mushrooms-may-help-prevent-painful-chemotherapy-side-effects-study-finds-article-156097745" data-type="tilCustomLink">brain tumour</a>. Rather, investigating the unusual finding was part of the baby's broader medical assessment after he returned to hospital with several unexplained symptoms. 

In <span>newborns</span>, symptoms can sometimes be difficult to interpret because babies cannot describe what they are experiencing. Problems such as poor feeding, weight loss, jaundice, and abnormal movements can have many possible causes. 

In Joey's case, doctors' investigations ultimately led them to perform imaging that uncovered the brain tumour. 

The story is therefore less about a nail infection “causing” a brain tumour and more about how an apparently minor physical finding helped doctors continue investigating a very sick newborn until they found the underlying problem.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-approves-new-breast-cancer-treatment-that-targets-resistance-before-cancer-progresses-article-156100654" data-type="tilCustomLink">FDA Approves New Breast Cancer Treatment That Targets Resistance Before Cancer Progresses</a>

<h2>The Newborn Was Diagnosed With Glioblastoma </h2>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/jason-collins-nbas-first-openly-gay-player-diagnosed-with-brain-tumor-early-warning-signs-you-might-miss-article-152786808" data-type="tilCustomLink">Glioblastoma</a> is a type of tumour arising from glial cells in the brain. It is considered an aggressive cancer because it can grow and invade surrounding brain tissue. 

For Joey, treatment was intensive. He underwent three brain surgeries and nine rounds of chemotherapy. Two operations were performed to remove the tumour, while a third was needed to deal with scar tissue that was preventing medication from controlling his seizures. 

At one point, Joey was experiencing more than 30 epileptic seizures a day and required feeding tubes.

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<h2>What Symptoms Glioblastoma Can Cause In Newborns? </h2>

In babies, brain tumours may announce themselves through changes in head growth, feeding, alertness, vomiting or development rather than the classic headaches adults experience. According to reports on <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glioblastoma-the-aggressive-brain-cancer-that-has-no-cure-article-151298450" data-type="tilCustomLink">congenital glioblastoma</a>, possible signs include: 

<ul><li>Rapidly increasing head size (<span rel="noindex">macrocephaly</span>) is one of the more important clues in infants</li><li>Bulging or tense soft spot (fontanelle) due to increased pressure inside the skull</li><li>Persistent vomiting, particularly when accompanied by other neurological changes</li><li>Unusual sleepiness or lethargy</li><li>Poor feeding or difficulty feeding</li><li>Irritability or unusual changes in behaviour</li><li>Seizures</li><li>Weakness or reduced movement of one side of the body</li><li>Abnormal eye movements or visual problems</li><li>Delayed development</li><li>Poor weight gain</li></ul>

Despite the severity of his illness and the treatment he required as a baby, Joey survived. He also participated in clinical trials designed to help researchers better understand how chemotherapy can be used to treat babies with brain tumours. He is now reported to be cancer-free.

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A tiny infection under a newborn’s fingernail turned out to be an important clue that led doctors to an unexpected and life-threatening diagnosis of an aggressive brain tumour. Joey Sharp, from Penicuik in Midlothian, Scotland, was just 11 days old when his parents took him back to hospital after he began struggling to feed, losing weight and developing persistent jaundice. He was also showing signs of twitching intermittently. A Tiny Nail Problem Led Doctors To Look Further While examining the newborn, doctors noticed what appeared to be a very small infection in one of his fingernails. According to Joey’s mother, Sam Sharp, the abnormality was so tiny that it looked almost like a grain of sand beneath the nail. But while doctors were investigating the problem, an ultrasound revealed a tumour in Joey’s brain. The discovery came as Joey’s other symptoms were becoming increasingly concerning. What initially looked like a minor problem with his finger became part of a much larger medical investigation. Joey was subsequently diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.Also read: BBC News Presenter Maryam Moshiri Reveals Incurable Blood Cancer: What Is Polycythemia Vera?Why Were Doctors Looking At His Finger? The nail infection itself was not reported as the cause of the brain tumour. Rather, investigating the unusual finding was part of the baby's broader medical assessment after he returned to hospital with several unexplained symptoms. In newborns, symptoms can sometimes be difficult to interpret because babies cannot describe what they are experiencing. Problems such as poor feeding, weight loss, jaundice, and abnormal movements can have many possible causes. In Joey's case, doctors' investigations ultimately led them to perform imaging that uncovered the brain tumour. The story is therefore less about a nail infection “causing” a brain tumour and more about how an apparently minor physical finding helped doctors continue investigating a very sick newborn until they found the underlying problem.Also read: FDA Approves New Breast Cancer Treatment That Targets Resistance Before Cancer ProgressesThe Newborn Was Diagnosed With Glioblastoma Glioblastoma is a type of tumour arising from glial cells in the brain. It is considered an aggressive cancer because it can grow and invade surrounding brain tissue. For Joey, treatment was intensive. He underwent three brain surgeries and nine rounds of chemotherapy. Two operations were performed to remove the tumour, while a third was needed to deal with scar tissue that was preventing medication from controlling his seizures. At one point, Joey was experiencing more than 30 epileptic seizures a day and required feeding tubes.       What Symptoms Glioblastoma Can Cause In Newborns? In babies, brain tumours may announce themselves through changes in head growth, feeding, alertness, vomiting or development rather than the classic headaches adults experience. According to reports on congenital glioblastoma, possible signs include: Rapidly increasing head size (macrocephaly) is one of the more important clues in infantsBulging or tense soft spot (fontanelle) due to increased pressure inside the skullPersistent vomiting, particularly when accompanied by other neurological changesUnusual sleepiness or lethargyPoor feeding or difficulty feedingIrritability or unusual changes in behaviourSeizuresWeakness or reduced movement of one side of the bodyAbnormal eye movements or visual problemsDelayed developmentPoor weight gainDespite the severity of his illness and the treatment he required as a baby, Joey survived. He also participated in clinical trials designed to help researchers better understand how chemotherapy can be used to treat babies with brain tumours. He is now reported to be cancer-free.

newborn’s nail infection leads doctors to aggressive brain tumour: what are glioblastoma's symptoms in babies?

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