The main system that protects the body from the effects of foreign substances is the immune system. Usually, if everything is normal in a person, then it does not respond to the tissues of its own body. This is called immunological tolerance.
But sometimes there are violations, due to which their own cells and tissues are perceived as foreign. And the immune system attacks these objects, causing autoimmune diseases in children, the list of which is diverse.
Features
The cells of the body can become a target under the influence of any external factors, such as cold, ultraviolet radiation. Influenced by some kind of infection or medication, and the like.
A special place is given to viral infections, because, as you know, the virus is able to penetrate the cell and change its properties, as a result of which it will become alien to the immune system.
Autoimmune diseases are found in different categories of age groups and even in children.
What autoimmune diseases can children suffer:
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis in children.
- Dermatomyositis.
- Lymphocytic tereoiditis.
- Acute rheumatic fever.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
What kind of diseases is discussed in more detail.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
This is a chronic inflammation of the joints that develops in children under the age of 16 years. Stimulates the development of the disease most often a viral infection, joint injuries, hypothermia, etc.
In this disease, the joints are affected, so it is accompanied by pain, swelling, movement restriction and deformation, and fever in the affected area are possible.
Extraarticular symptoms of an autoimmune disease in children include an increase in body temperature, which is accompanied by the appearance of a rash. The rash can be on the back, chest, face, limbs, buttocks. Itching is not observed.
From the cardiovascular system, pain is possible in the region of the heart and behind the sternum. A person is forced to be in a sitting position, there is a lack of air. The child himself is pale and has blue legs and lips. In addition, there may be a cough (with lung damage) and abdominal pain (with damage to the abdominal cavity).
From the lymphatic system, there is a significant increase in lymph nodes up to 5 cm. They themselves are painful and mobile.
Eye damage is also possible: decreased visual acuity, photophobia, redness of the eyes. All this can even lead to loss of vision or glaucoma.
One of the important manifestations is growth retardation and osteoporosis, accompanied by increased bone fragility.
Arthritis Treatment
In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children, the clinical recommendations of doctors are ambiguous. To treat this disease is quite problematic. Therapy includes diet, medication, physiotherapy exercises and orthopedic correction.
Drug therapy is divided into symptomatic and immunosuppressive (to prevent further destruction and disability). To reduce pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Meloxicam. They are used for no more than 6-12 weeks, after which it is necessary to combine the medicine with immunosuppressive drugs.
Immunosuppressive therapy should begin immediately after diagnosis. The main drugs are Methotrexate, Cyclosporin, Leflunomide. They are often combined. These drugs are well tolerated, and there are not many side effects.
Medications such as Cyclophosphamide, Azathioprine, and Chlorambucil for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children are rarely used according to clinical guidelines. This is due to the presence of severe side effects.
When treating arthritis with this group of drugs, it is necessary to monitor blood counts (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, white blood cell count). Once every two weeks, biochemical parameters are analyzed. In the event that the level of leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells decreases, and the level of urea rises, it is necessary to stop taking immunosuppressive drugs for a week. After the indicators normalize, you can again resume taking medication.
Recently, a new group of medicines has been created for the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This is Infliximab, Rituximab. They belong to the group of biological agents. But treatment with these drugs is possible only under the supervision of specialists.
With severe deformities of the joints, surgery is possible with further prosthetics.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
What this disease is, not everyone knows. This disease can affect various organs of the body, and manifests itself in the form of a rash on the face in the form of a butterfly (on the nose and cheeks). The organ that is affected will become inflamed. As a result, this part of the body becomes red, swollen and may even hurt.
Inflammation is dangerous in that it can affect the activity of other organs and tissues, and cause undesirable consequences. Therefore, therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of inflammation.
Pain may initially begin slowly, and new symptoms will appear over time (weeks, months, or years). At first, children complain of malaise and fatigue, and the temperature can also rise. Further, due to organ damage, a rash appears. Ulcers appear in the mouth and nose. Raynaud's syndrome is also observed when the hands change color when exposed to temperature from red to blue.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children, muscle pain, chest pain, headaches and cramps are possible. Often the kidneys are affected, which guarantees a long course of the disease. At the same time, pressure rises, edema develops, blood appears in the urine.
Lupus Treatment
There are no specific drugs for autoimmune disease in children, as such. Treatment can prevent complications and control symptoms. Basically, therapy is aimed at reducing inflammation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naloxen are used to reduce pain. As symptoms decrease, the dose is reduced.
Often use "Hydroxychloroquine", which belongs to the group of antimalarial drugs. It regulates deviations in the immune system and allows you to better control the condition of the kidneys and heart, preventing further damage.
The main group of drugs used in systemic lupus erythematosus is corticostreroids. With severe kidney damage, anemia and central nervous system damage, high doses of drugs are used.
There is a special group of antirheumatic drugs that prevents the development of inflammation in autoimmune diseases in children. These include the following drugs: Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and spine.
Pain in the lumbar spine is the very first symptom. It prevents movement, it is difficult for a person to bend down, move to the sides.
Further, the pain extends to the joints. After some time, the lower back is smoothed out, the curves of the spine disappear and stoop is formed. The body in this disease assumes a “petitioner pose”. The joints themselves are swollen and sore.
Ankylosing spondylitis therapy
As usual, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken to relieve pain.
Physiotherapy is also often used. But the use of heat can exacerbate symptoms, rather than alleviate them.
Select a special physiotherapy exercises. Such patients must necessarily follow a diet and monitor weight to prevent excessive stress on the joints.
Dermatomyositis
This disease affects the small blood vessels of the skin and muscles. Because of this, a rash appears in certain areas of the body.
The child is tired, his joints are swollen and sore due to inflammation. A rash on the face is characteristic, swelling around the eyes. Then muscle pain and weakness are manifested.
One of the symptoms is calcification (hardening under the skin). On the surface of such formations, there may be ulcers from which a white liquid containing calcium oozes.
There may be problems with the intestines, resulting in abdominal pain or constipation.
Muscle weakness can lead to difficulty in swallowing and respiratory failure. Dyspnea often develops.
Dermatomyositis Treatment
There are no funds for a complete cure for this disease. Symptomatic therapy is used, with which the course of the pathology is monitored.
Corticosteroids, such as Methotrexate, are used to relieve inflammation. Treatment begins with high doses, which are gradually reduced due to many side effects from these drugs. In addition to this group, other immunosuppressive drugs like Cyclosporin, Cyclophosphamide (in severe cases of the disease), and Mofetil can be used.
Physical therapy is recommended to improve vascular mobility and normalize physical condition.
Lymphocytic thyroiditis
Pathology is common. Represents an autoimmune thyroid disease in a child. The process of inflammation begins unnoticed. First there is pain in the neck. It is difficult for a child to swallow, weakness, malaise and hoarseness of voice are possible.
After a while (a few days or a couple of months), the temperature rises, a headache, sweating, tachycardia appears. The size of the thyroid gland increases, it becomes dense and painful. Veins of the neck expand, swelling and hyperemia of the face develops. These symptoms can persist for up to 6 weeks, after which the size decreases and the pain decreases.
Be sure to diet in the form of liquid and semi-liquid food. Prescribe antibiotics for 7-10 days. Depending on the symptoms, painkillers, heart and sleeping pills are used.
Acute rheumatic fever
This is an inflammatory disease of the heart and joints, which develops most often with inadequate treatment of pathologies caused by streptococci (for example, tonsillitis, scarlet fever and others).
Characteristically persistent increase in temperature, sometimes even up to 39 degrees. General fatigue, discomfort and swelling in the joints are observed. Pain in the heart is accompanied by shortness of breath and palpitations, which intensify during exertion.
In addition, the heart can increase in size. The rhythm of cardiac activity is also disturbed.
A painful rash with torn edges on the skin is possible. The movements of the body, especially the limbs, are sometimes uncontrollable. There may be sudden flashes of strange behavior such as inappropriate laughter or, conversely, crying. These symptoms are combined under the name "chorus."
The main goal of treatment is the elimination of streptococcal infection, for which antibiotics from the penicillin group are used. Within 2 weeks, the symptoms of the disease disappear. But after prescribed long-term antibiotics to prevent relapse.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce fever and pain. If their effect is not enough, then glucocorticoids are prescribed.
For symptoms caused by chorea, anticonvulsants such as Carbamazepine and Valproic Acid are prescribed to prevent serious involuntary movements.
In any case, despite the variety of the disease, treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to ignore unpleasant symptoms, and even more so to acquire various funds on the advice of acquaintances in order to avoid undesirable consequences for the child's body.