Anemia in children has been recorded quite often in recent years. This pathology is associated with a decrease in hemoglobin levels and a decrease in the number of red blood cells. If left untreated, the disease leads to oxygen starvation.
Of course, many parents want to know why anemia develops in young children. What symptoms should you look out for? What tests should be done? What treatments are the most effective? The answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
What is a disease?
In modern medical practice, cases of anemia in an infant, as well as in older children, are quite often recorded. Of course, many parents are looking for any additional information.
Anemia, better known in everyday life as anemia, is a pathological condition that is accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin levels and a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the patient's blood.
As you know, red blood cells perform an important function, as they transport oxygen to tissues and organs,while taking in carbon dioxide. A kind of "nucleus" of erythrocytes is hemoglobin - a complex iron-containing protein that actually binds oxygen molecules and ensures its further transport. Anemia can be associated with both impaired protein synthesis and impaired production of red blood cells in the red bone marrow.
It is worth noting that the level of hemoglobin in the blood of children changes as they grow. For example, in the first days of life, this indicator ranges from 180 to 240 g / l. In children under six months, the hemoglobin level is 115-175 g / l, and from six months to five years - 110-140 g / l.
According to statistics, this is a very common pathology. About 25% of newborns suffer from some form of anemia. Among children under the age of 4, this figure rises to 43%. If we talk about the age group from 5 to 12 years, then here the number of patients is 37%. About 30% of children during puberty suffer from anemia of varying severity.
Main causes of pathology
The causes of anemia in children can be very different. There are influences from both internal and external factors. The list of them is quite impressive:
- Problems in the process of intrauterine development. Risk factors include anemia, as well as rubella and some other infections suffered by the mother during pregnancy. A woman's smoking affects the fetus negatively. The cause may be a violation of the placentalblood flow, improper development of the placenta or umbilical cord, as well as Rhesus conflict.
- Neonatal pathology. Anemia in children sometimes develops as a result of prematurity, birth trauma, premature or late ligation of the umbilical cord. Low body weight is also considered a risk factor.
- Wrong diet. In this case, we are talking not only about the nutrition of the child, but also about the diet of the mother if the baby is breastfed. Vegetarianism, the lack of a diet, a monotonous diet, food with which an insufficient amount of vitamins enters the body - all this can provoke the development of anemia in an infant.
- Diseases of other systems and organs. Anemia often develops against the background of infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, in particular, rickets, hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, intestinal pathologies, oncological problems, tuberculosis, fungal infections, pyelonephritis, brucellosis, lung abscess, bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis.
- As mentioned, anemia can be the result of blood loss.
- Children living in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions are more prone to this disease.
Classification depending on pathogenesis
It is worth noting that today there are many classification schemes for this disease. If we consider the mechanism of development of anemia, then there are several of their forms.
Posthemorrhagic anemia is said to be when the hemoglobin level has decreased due to blood loss. Bleeding inIn this case, it can be associated both with trauma or a previous operation, and with some diseases of the internal organs. It is worth noting that in this form of the disease it is easy to eliminate by stopping the loss of blood. In the future, the child will need additional drugs and proper nutrition, but most often the disease responds well to treatment.
Anemia is sometimes associated with impaired hematopoietic processes. This group includes:
- iron-deficient - develop with iron deficiency, since the synthesis of hemoglobin without this substance is impossible;
- iron-saturated forms of anemia can be both congenital and hereditary (with such pathologies, the synthesis of porphyrin is disrupted, and the amount of hemoglobin in the produced red blood cells is too low);
- megablastic forms of anemia are usually associated with folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies;
- dyserythropoietic anemia is associated with impaired hematopoietic processes, the formation of pathologically altered erythrocytes;
- hypoplastic and aplastic anemia in children are accompanied by bone marrow hypoplasia, a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets produced (these forms of the disease are considered the most dangerous).
Anemia is not always associated with a violation of the bone marrow or a deficiency of substances necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. There is also hemolytic anemia in children, which, however, is considered a relatively rare pathology. This pathological condition is characterized by increased destructionerythrocytes. In fact, the bone marrow does not have time to synthesize enough red blood cells, as these cells are rapidly destroyed. At the same time, erythrocyte decay products begin to accumulate in the blood, which is accompanied by a mass of disorders, including jaundice (associated with a sharp increase in bilirubin levels).
Etiology: what types of anemia are possible?
There is also a classification that focuses on the causes of anemia:
- Anemia of infectious origin develops against the background of mycoses, bacterial and viral diseases.
- Collagenic anemias are associated with autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis, Horton's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarthritis nodosa.
Degrees of anemia in children
Many pediatric patients are diagnosed with this disease. Symptoms in children with anemia directly depend on the severity of anemia. To date, there are three of them:
- if we are talking about mild anemia of the first degree, then the child has a decrease in hemoglobin levels, but not lower than up to 90 g/l;
- anemia of the second degree (moderate) is characterized by fluctuations in hemoglobin values ranging from 70 to 90 g/l;
- with severe anemia (third degree), the level of this protein in the blood drops below 70 g/l.
The further treatment regimen depends on the severity of anemia, by the way.
Anemia: symptoms in children
It is worth noting that anemia, asusually develops gradually, so the clinical picture can be blurred. You may notice that the child is lethargic, gets tired quickly. There is also insomnia, constant fatigue, problems with concentration. Children complain of headaches, intermittent tinnitus. Increased irritability also appears.
It is worth noting that such symptoms are often confused with chronic fatigue syndrome or the consequences of overexertion. In any case, it is worth donating blood for analysis.
If untreated, the disease progresses, which primarily affects the work of the cardiovascular system. There are symptoms such as tachycardia, a decrease in blood pressure, the appearance of functional systolic murmurs in the heart. In more severe cases, the child periodically loses consciousness. Rarely, anemia leads to heart failure.
In addition, the disease affects the functioning of the digestive system. Young patients complain of dry mouth. Sometimes sores appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, glossitis develops. Taste preferences change.
Anemia in an infant is accompanied by profuse regurgitation, sometimes full-fledged vomiting. There is a loss of appetite, as a result of which the baby eats little and gains weight poorly. Symptoms also include increased gas formation, constipation, which are replaced by diarrhea and vice versa. Of course, all these disorders affect the emotional state of the child - he often cries, sleeps poorly, suffering fromconstant colic in the abdomen, becomes nervous, reacts sharply to external stimuli.
Anemia affects the appearance of a sick child. He loses weight, suffers from edema. The skin acquires an unhe althy pallor, as well as the mucous membranes. There is hair loss. Nails become brittle. In the corners of the baby's mouth, jams often appear that are difficult to treat.
The child's immune system is weakened, as a result of which he often gets sick with the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia and other colds. They are also more prone to acute intestinal infections.
Possible Complications
Anemia in children most often responds well to drug treatment. However, in the chronic course, pathology leads to multiple disorders. The list of possible complications is as follows:
- significantly weakened immune system;
- various forms of heart failure;
- bone marrow dysplasia;
- chronic anemia, which is much more difficult to treat;
- coma due to oxygen deprivation;
- anemia in children under one year old can lead to a delay in physical, mental and mental development;
- leukemia.
It is worth noting that aplastic anemia in children is the most dangerous and sometimes ends in the death of a small patient.
Diagnostic measures
The above signsanemia in children is a good reason to consult a specialist. After a general examination and history taking, the pediatrician will most likely prescribe additional studies.
- Primary diagnosis includes a general blood test, during which the hemoglobin level, color index, red blood cell count are determined.
- A biochemical blood test helps determine the amount of serum iron, bilirubin, vitamins and other substances, which sometimes makes it possible to identify the cause of anemia.
- Sometimes a bone marrow puncture is included in the diagnostic scheme.
- In addition, examinations of internal organs are carried out. Also shown are examinations of narrow-profile doctors, in particular, cardiologists, rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, and nephrologists. Such procedures make it possible to identify the cause and determine the presence of complications.
After receiving the results of all studies, the specialist will be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Medicated treatment
Treatment of anemia in children pursues several tasks at once. With the help of various means, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of anemia, raise the hemoglobin level to a normal level, provide the baby with good care and proper nutrition.
- First of all, iron preparations are prescribed to the patient, both in tablet form and in the form of injections. Sorbifer, Ferroplex, Ferrum-lek, Ektofer are considered effective.
- Also, doctors recommend a course of takingvitamins, in particular, vitamin B12 and folic acid, since these substances are involved in the processes of hematopoiesis.
- If necessary, anabolic hormones and glucocorticoids are introduced into the treatment regimen.
- In severe cases (if pills fail to raise hemoglobin levels quickly enough), doctors recommend a blood transfusion. This is an effective procedure, but it does come with some risks.
- If indicated, a bone marrow transplant is performed. Other measures are being taken to address the symptoms and causes.
Of course, this is not all that can be done for anemia in children. Clinical recommendations also include regular sessions of therapeutic massage, physical activity (if possible, special therapeutic exercises), spa holidays, especially when it comes to a he alth facility located in the mountains.
Folk remedies: what will help with anemia?
Of course, traditional medicine offers a huge amount of natural medicines that help increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
Of course, in this case, you can not self-medicate, as this can only harm the child. Be sure to ask your doctor for advice before using any home remedies. It is believed that infusions and decoctions of alfalfa, blackcurrant and strawberry leaves, golden mustache and mountain ash, rose hips, nettle and lungwort help with anemia.
Also,it is believed that the regular use of dried fruits, yeast drinks, and - in small quantities - honey (note that this product often causes allergies) will help improve the functioning of the body.
What should anemia diet look like?
In order for the body to synthesize hemoglobin and produce a normal number of red blood cells, it needs a sufficient amount of vitamins and proteins that it receives from food.
Naturally, a lot here depends on the age of the baby. When it comes to newborn babies, the best food for them is mother's milk. Gradually, fresh juices from fruits and some vegetables can be introduced into the diet. Starting from eight months, babies can eat light, lean meat, barley and buckwheat porridge. And at 12 months, the diet can be enriched with fruits, vegetables and fish.
As the child grows up, his menu becomes more diverse. The diet of an older child must necessarily include various soups (on broths), liver, meat and fish (boiled), flour products, eggs (chicken, quail), buckwheat porridge, oatmeal, berries, vegetables and fruits (most effective for cabbage, spinach, parsley and carrots are considered anemia). Dairy products, cheese, cottage cheese, butter, nuts (in particular, pistachios), bean and pea puree will also be useful for children.
When it comes to breastfeeding or mixed feeding, then the mother should eat right first of all. In addition, some doctorsrecommend introducing special milk mixtures into the diet, for example, Detolact, Nutrilon, Nestozhen. Such cereals contain the right amount of vitamins and iron, which will help eliminate the deficiency and normalize the body. By the way, you should not refuse breastfeeding in this case. For example, 1-2 times a day, a child can be given formula, and the rest of the time - breast milk.
Prevention measures
Following some recommendations, you can reduce the risk of developing anemia and prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications. Preventing anemia in children is not that difficult.
- It is important to have regular blood tests - the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to get rid of it.
- If the baby was born prematurely, then from the age of three months he needs to take iron supplements.
- Proper nutrition is important (for both the baby and the mother when it comes to pregnancy and lactation).
- The child needs regular walks in the fresh air, physical activity, hardening, which strengthens the immune system. Visits to mountain resorts will positively affect the he alth and development of the baby.
If alarming symptoms appear, you need to see a doctor. Anemia in children is a serious disease that can lead to dangerous consequences.
