A baby in the womb is in a sterile environment. In the process of birth, millions of bacteria enter its mucous membranes, intestines and stomach. It is they who form the microflora of the child. The he althier she is, the stronger the immune system. In addition, the intestinal microflora is actively involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It normalizes digestive activity, protects the body from harmful bacteria.
However, often there is such a thing as dysbacteriosis. This is a kind of failure in the ratio of harmful and beneficial microorganisms. What are the symptoms of dysbacteriosis and how is such an ailment treated in children?
The role of the intestinal microflora
Before considering the signs of dysbacteriosis in a child, it is worth highlighting the main functions of the intestinal microflora. It not only maintains balance, but also forms immunity. Beneficial bacteria play an important role in other processes as well:
- Synthesize enzymes and hormone-positive substances that improve digestion.
- Contribute to the accelerated absorption of many trace elements useful for the human body,for example, copper, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamin D.
- Participate in the synthesis of vitamins B12, B6, B5, B 9, B2, B1 and C.
- Protect the body from the effects of pathogens of infectious diseases: dysenteric bacillus, fungi, salmonella, etc. Beneficial bacteria, when dangerous bacteria and spores enter the intestines, produce substances that can block the process of reproduction and growth of pathogenic microflora.
- Improve intestinal motility, as well as the formation of feces.
- Neutralize the action of s alts of various heavy metals, chemicals, nitrates and toxins. Bacteria bind them and then naturally excrete them from the body.
What bacteria make up the intestinal microflora?
To understand the methods of treating dysbacteriosis in children, you need to know which bacteria are beneficial:
- Bifidobacteria. These microorganisms make up 90% of the microflora and are considered essential.
- Lactobacillus. They are contained in the intestinal microflora no more than 8%. Such microorganisms synthesize lactic acid, and also maintain a normal pH level.
- Opportunistic pathogens. These "inhabitants" of the intestines make up about 2% of the microflora. Until a certain point, they do not threaten human he alth. Conditionally pathogenic flora is activated only in case of poisoning, digestive disorders, as a result of taking antibiotics. With such factorsmicroorganisms begin to multiply rapidly. As a result, dysbacteriosis begins in a child (up to a year and older). This group of bacteria includes enterobacteria, E. coli, staphylococci, and yeast-like fungi.
From the above it follows that dysbacteriosis cannot be considered a separate disease. Such a violation develops as a result of pathological processes in the body. Let's see what provokes the development of dysbacteriosis.
Main causes of dysbacteriosis in infants
Microflora begins to settle in the intestines of the child after birth. It is for this reason that the first attachment of the baby to the breast is so important. After all, maternal colostrum contains bifido- and lactobacilli, vitamins, microelements and antibodies. All these components allow you to lay the "foundation" of strong immunity. It is necessary to attach the baby to the breast within two hours after birth. Among the causes of dysbacteriosis in children (from birth to 1 year) are:
- Late breastfeeding. This can happen due to difficult childbirth, the unstable condition of the mother or the child himself.
- Administration of antibacterial drugs to a baby or his mother.
- Wrong nutrition of a woman during lactation. Dysbacteriosis occurs when the diet of a young mother is dominated by foods that can increase gas formation in the intestines, as well as allergens.
- Mixed or artificial feeding of the baby.
- Past food poisoning or intestinal infection.
- Frequent change of formula for a formula-fed baby. If the product was chosen correctly and suits the baby, then it is impossible to change it in order to save money or at will.
- Atopic dermatitis in a newborn.
Causes of dysbacteriosis in children (over 1 year old)
Before starting treatment of dysbacteriosis in children, it is worth identifying the cause of the disorder. If the child is over a year old, then such a pathology may occur due to:
- Unbalanced diet. This problem occurs if the child's diet is dominated by foods such as sweets, dairy products, pasta, muffins, flour products, etc.
- Chronic diseases affecting the digestive tract. These include bending of the gallbladder, gastritis, dyspepsia, etc.
- Weak immune system and frequent colds.
- Medical abuse, particularly antibiotics.
- Allergic reaction.
- Worm infestations.
- Hormonal disorders. Often, such pathologies occur against the background of taking various hormonal drugs, as well as during the period of puberty of the child and in violations of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pancreas and other organs that synthesize hormones.
- After surgery associated with disorders in the functioning of the digestive tract.
- Stress and unfavorable environment.
Signs of pathology
To recognize the pathology, you need to know the symptoms of dysbacteriosis. In children of the first year of life, malaisehas the following features:
- tummy growling;
- gas and bloating;
- crying due to discomfort and pain in the abdomen;
- profuse and frequent regurgitation (fountain);
- intestinal colic, the attacks of which intensify in the evening and at night;
- liquid and frequent stools (up to 15 times a day), containing lumps of undigested food and a large amount of foam.
Dysbacteriosis in older children manifests itself somewhat differently:
- Constipation or diarrhea. In this case, particles of undigested food may be present in the feces. The stool may have a pronounced unpleasant odor.
- Stomach growling.
- flatulence and bloating.
- Pain in the abdomen after eating.
- Weak immune system and frequent viral infections.
- Lactose intolerance is common in most cases.
- Allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes.
It is worth noting that in children due to dysbacteriosis, a sharp weight loss or poor weight gain can be observed (in babies under one year old). This is due to a violation of the digestive processes. As a result, the body absorbs an insufficient amount of useful components that come with food.
Very often, children with this pathology become capricious, often cry and sleep poorly. This is due to a feeling of discomfort and pain in the abdomen. The temperature in dysbacteriosis in children rarely rises.
How is it donediagnosis?
The doctor can make a diagnosis based on the mother's complaints. However, further research is needed to confirm it. This allows not only to prescribe the correct treatment of dysbacteriosis in children, but also to identify or exclude concomitant diseases. To do this, appoint:
- Ultrasound of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Such a study allows you to identify all disorders associated with the functioning of the digestive system, as well as determine congenital anomalies in the structure and functional changes due to which food is poorly absorbed.
- Tests for dysbacteriosis. Children take feces for a coprogram. This study allows you to determine the presence of particles of undigested food in the feces.
- Bacteriological research. This analysis allows you to determine which bacteria are present in the intestine. Thanks to this study of fecal masses, the doctor can prescribe adequate therapy that will be effective against the causative agent of the disease.
In addition, the pediatrician may recommend contacting a pediatric gastroenterologist for a consultation. In some cases, FGDS and other diagnostic methods are prescribed.
Principles of Therapy
Treatment of dysbacteriosis in children should only be carried out by a doctor. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, since the child's condition may worsen. At the same time, therapy eliminates not only the unpleasant symptoms of the pathology, but also the underlying disease that provoked it. Typically, treatment for dysbiosis in children includes:
- symptomatic therapy;
- applicationmedicines;
- dieting.
Diet for pathology
In order for therapy to be effective, certain dietary rules must be followed. Diet in dysbacteriosis in children plays an important role. In the first year of life, it is recommended to give mother's milk to children. After all, this product allows you to restore the intestinal microflora. If the child is bottle-fed, then an adapted mixture should be given to him. However, do not frequently change the main product of the baby's diet, as this can aggravate his condition and cause complications.
For older children who eat on their own, it is recommended to introduce sour-milk products into the diet:
- kefir;
- sour cream;
- natural yoghurts but no sugar;
- curdled milk;
- ryazhenka;
- cottage cheese with less than 5% fat content.
In addition, it is recommended to limit sweets, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, muffins, sugar in the child's diet. Spices, sausages and smoked products, pork should be completely excluded. Such products violate the digestive processes, and are also unsafe for the child's body.
Children over the age of one year should be given boiled and grated vegetables. This allows, without irritating the intestines, to gently cleanse it. Temporarily it is necessary to exclude fruits, especially sour ones. Small amounts of bananas can be given to a child.
If the diet has not shown its effectiveness, then the doctor may prescribe medication that caneliminate the symptoms of pathology.
Medication treatment
The main task of drugs for dysbacteriosis for children is:
- In the elimination or suppression of pathogenic microflora in the intestines. To do this, the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics, probiotics, bacteriophages.
- In carrying out substitution therapy. In this case, the intestines are colonized with beneficial lactic bacteria.
It is worth noting that antibiotics are prescribed for children only in cases where the pathology is provoked by an infection. This is confirmed by clinical analyses. It is forbidden to self-administer antibiotic therapy.
What to give a child from dysbacteriosis?
Any drug must be prescribed by a doctor. Most often prescribed:
- "Bifiform" containing lacto- and bifidobacteria, vitamins of group B. It can be given to children from the first days of life.
- "Acipol" containing kefir fungus and lactobacilli. This drug can also be used to treat and prevent dysbacteriosis in newborns.
- "Linex", containing lacto- and bifidobacteria, components that improve the absorption of nutrients and digestion. Can be given to newborns.
- "Bifidumbacterin" is a drug that inhibits the activity and growth of opportunistic bacteria. For beneficial microflora, it creates ideal conditions. This leads to the growth and reproduction of beneficial bacteria.
- "Enterol" - improves intestinal microflora.
The following medications are used to control symptoms:
- Sorbents. They remove s alts of heavy metals and toxins from the body, reducing the level of intoxication. Especially relevant for food poisoning, prolonged loose stools and during antibiotic therapy.
- Enzymes. Improve digestion, eliminate rumbling and bloating. The dosage is determined by the doctor. Giving enzymes to a child is recommended when eating.
Prevention
To avoid dysbacteriosis it is recommended:
- Do not administer antibiotic therapy without a doctor's prescription.
- Do not abuse laxatives. If you have problems with the stool, then you should change the diet. If this does not help, then the doctor may prescribe products containing lactulose.
Remember that dysbacteriosis is a disease that occurs quite often. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the condition of the child and do not ignore his complaints or crying. If you do not fight the pathology, then the child may develop diseases of the digestive system, and immunity will also decrease.
