A paediatrician, Nkechi Nwibo, has urged parents to watch for subtle signs of childhood brain tumours, stressing that early detection and intervention significantly improve outcomes and survival rates in affected children.

Ms Nwibo, a senior registrar at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, disclosed this in an interview on rising concerns over delayed diagnoses nationwide.

She said brain tumours in children often presented with symptoms that were easily overlooked initially, making awareness among parents and caregivers essential for timely medical evaluation, specialist referral and treatment.

According to her, persistent headaches, worse in the morning or waking a child from sleep, especially with unexplained vomiting, should prompt urgent medical attention and further neurological assessment without delay.

She added that younger children might struggle to describe symptoms, so parents should watch for irritability, developmental delays, balance problems, seizures, or cranial nerve palsies affecting eye movement and coordination over time.

Ms Nwibo said neuroimaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging, confirmed the diagnosis, while early treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, improved survival rates and long-term function, and urged prompt neurology referral when symptoms persisted.

(NAN)