Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. Pathology brings a lot of discomfort. Its course is complicated if a child acts as a patient. In young children 3 years old, cystitis occurs as a result of hypothermia and other causes. The disease in babies is characterized by an unpleasant course and some features.
The mechanism of cystitis
Infants quite rarely suffer from this disease, as they are protected by maternal hormones that are present in breast milk. When breastfeeding ceases, children become vulnerable to various types of infections.
The increased risk continues until puberty, when the body can produce its own estrogens.
Inflammation of the bladder can be a separate pathology or develop as a result of various diseases of the internal organs. Pathology in early childhood is usually more difficult. Also, in 2-3 years, babies have a risk of transition from an acute form of cystitis to a chronic one.
Most often, some infections lead to the development of cystitis in children 3 years old. Bacteria cause inflammation in the bladder more often than other pathogens.
A decrease in immunity accelerates the development of infection in the body of the child. From birth, it does not work effectively enough. Severe hypothermia and other causes can lead to impaired immunity, which is a trigger for the development of inflammation and pathologies of the bladder.
The spread of infection occurs in the following ways:
- Hematogenous and lymphogenous. In this situation, bacteria enter the urinary tract and bladder along with blood from distant foci (tonsils, larynx).
- Downstream. Pathogens penetrate from diseased kidneys.
- Ascending. The spread of infection is from the anogenital zone and the urethra.
- Contact. Pathogenic microflora in the walls of the bladder penetrate from nearby organs.
Signs of cystitis in a 3-year-old child depend on the form of the disease. Most often occurs due to ascending infection. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the baby's body.
Forms of the disease
By the nature of the course of the pathology, two forms of cystitis in children of 3 years are distinguished:
- Sharp. The form is characterized by the rapid development of inflammation in the mucous membranes of the bladder.
- Chronic Pathology affects the muscle layer. The chronic form is a consequence of related diseases (pyelonephritis, phimosis, urethritis).
Signs of cystitis in children are approximately the same.
What causes the pathology
Cystitis in young children most often occurs due to infection. The most common pathogens include:
- Bacteria. These include E. coli, streptococci, chlamydia, ureaplasma.
- Fungi of the genus Candida.
- Viruses. These include herpes, adenoviruses, parainfluenza.
The mucous membranes of the bladder have protective qualities, therefore, with the penetration of pathogenic microflora, cystitis in children 3 years old does not always occur.
The process of inflammation develops:
- In violation of the outflow of urine. Occurs with irregular emptying, congenital malformations of the bladder.
- Reducing the protective functions of the cells of the mucous membranes. This occurs with metabolic disorders, when a significant amount of salts are present in the urine, while taking certain medications.
- With impaired immunity. It occurs with hypothermia, frequent infections, excessive physical exertion and serious chronic pathologies.
Non-observance of personal hygiene also refers to the cause of cystitis. The child’s underwear must be changed daily so as not to provoke the development of the inflammatory process.
Pathogens sometimes enter the urethra through the anus and genital tract. Cystitis in girls can cause personal hygiene.
Causes of cystitis in girls and boys
Diseases in female children are mainly related:
- With structural features of the excretory system. The urethra is wider and shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
- Lack of hormones. The ovaries in childhood do not produce hormones that provide the protective properties of the mucous membranes of the genitourinary system.
Diseases of the external genital organs can lead to cystitis in 3-year-old children. In girls, it develops against the background of vulvitis or vulvovaginitis.
The main reason for the development of the disease in boys is hypothermia. Children walk with wet feet, sit on the ground and snow.
The following causes of cystitis include non-compliance with personal hygiene, phimosis, pyelonephritis. The infection spreads through the urethra and ureters. The development of cystitis of fungal origin contributes to high humidity, which is present in the pool, sauna and in case of personal hygiene.
Girls are most often susceptible to infection due to the structure of the excretory system.
Symptoms of the disease
The signs of cystitis in a child of 3 years old (girls or boys) should be able to recognize every parent. Timely contacting a specialist will help to avoid possible complications in the future. It is not easy to identify the signs of the disease in the baby. The main symptoms include:
- Rapid urination. A sick child sits on the pot several times a day. The baby can wake up at night due to constant urge to urinate.
- Soreness in the lower abdomen. A 3-year-old child cannot complain of all the symptoms present. You can notice this symptom if parents begin to carefully monitor it. They should be worried if the baby is holding on to his tummy or avoiding touching this area.
- Burning that occurs when urinating. It does not always occur. If there is a burning sensation during urination, the general condition of the child changes. He is naughty, and cries during urination.
- Urine discoloration. Parents discover this symptom initially when the contents of the pot are poured. Urine becomes cloudy with the disease. Its smell changes and becomes sour and fetid. These symptoms usually occur with the bacterial form of cystitis.
- The general condition worsens. In this situation, the baby becomes moody and lethargic. He plays less with his favorite toys and tries to avoid outdoor games. A sick child worsens appetite and sleep. He can wake up several times during the night.
- The occurrence of swelling on the body. Such symptoms are manifested in a severe form of the disease. The appearance of puffiness on the body indicates the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the body. Prolonged chronic cystitis can contribute to the occurrence of swelling. It is localized under the eyes and on the face.
- Heat. This symptom of cystitis in children of 3 years is not required. Usually, the temperature readings for this disease correspond to subfebrile indicators. With a severe form of the disease, it can rise to 38-39 degrees.
It is quite difficult to notice the onset of cystitis, especially in the initial stages of the disease. However, the child is usually noticed increased anxiety. He practically does not smile and tries not to contact with others.
Diagnostics
If there are signs of cystitis in a child of 3 years old, you should immediately contact a specialist. Initially sent to consult a pediatrician. A pediatric urologist is involved in the treatment of cystitis. These specialists have the necessary knowledge and experience in the treatment of such diseases.
To confirm an accurate diagnosis, an examination alone is not enough. Diagnosis of the disease includes a general urinalysis.
Before collecting urine, the foreskin is washed for boys, and for girls, the entire anogenital zone from the vagina to the anus. Proper preparation contributes to an accurate result.
In the presence of cystitis, a significant increase in the number of leukocytes is detected in the urine. With pathology of the kidneys and urinary tract, analysis shows protein loss or a change in its specific gravity.
To clarify the diagnosis, a specialist can prescribe an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. A study is necessary for medical reasons.
Girls are sent for an appointment with a pediatric gynecologist to exclude inflammation of the vagina and genital tract, which leads to an ascending cystitis.
General Therapy
If signs of cystitis are found in children of 3 years old, then parents should create all the necessary conditions for a sick child to accelerate recovery and prevent possible complications. To achieve such goals, it is necessary to thoroughly comply with all the recommendations and appointments of the attending physician. The main methods of therapy include:
- Compliance with bed rest and personal hygiene. This helps reduce the intensity of pain and restore normal bladder function.
- Compliance with the drinking regime. The child needs to drink twice as much water as before the onset of the disease. Due to this, pathogens are excreted from the body. In addition to water, it is recommended to drink fruit drinks and juices.
- Constant change of underwear.
- Compliance with the diet. The exception to the menu is spicy and salty foods.
During the treatment of cystitis in children 3 years old, they should not be limited from carrying out water procedures. Water should be warm.
Drug treatment
After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes medications. The treatment of cystitis in children 3 years old is carried out by the following means:
- "Augmentin." It is necessary to use the medicine in the form of a suspension.
- Amoxiclav. It has 3 release forms. The most effective is determined by a specialist.
If individual intolerance to the above drugs occurs, the following drugs are prescribed:
- Zinnat. An antibiotic is allowed to be taken in suspension.
- "Zedex". A new generation drug that has a minimum of contraindications.
Effective medicines include those drugs that are able to deal with pathogens that cause cystitis.
How to treat cystitis in a child at 3 years old? In addition to antibiotics, the attending physician prescribes uroseptic. Most often in this case, Kanefron is used. The drug has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is prescribed as drops. The tool is allowed to use for children who are prone to allergies.
Physiotherapy
If a child develops cystitis symptoms (3 years), the doctor may prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures. They will be particularly effective in combination with other therapeutic measures.
The methods of physiotherapy include:
- Electrophoresis
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultrasound Therapy
The doctor may prescribe other methods of physiotherapy, based on the complexity of the course of the disease.
Features of monitoring a child after an illness
The child can be observed in the clinic at the place of residence for 1 month after acute cystitis. And at least a year after treatment of a chronic form of the disease. During this period, a general urinalysis and other studies are performed, on the recommendation of a specialist.
Vaccination for children is carried out 1 month after recovery.
Prevention
To prevent the development of cystitis, it is necessary to observe intimate hygiene, treat infections and worm infestations in a timely manner.
The child needs to increase immunity. This is done by hardening, proper nutrition and regular walks.
Conclusion
Cystitis in children 3 years old is a disease that does not present any particular problems with proper treatment. If you do not start therapy in time, then this can cause serious complications.