According to the clinical protocol, acute pancreatitis in children is an inflammatory process that occurs in the pancreas. To understand the essence of the disease, you need to know what function this organ performs.
The pancreas plays an important role in the digestion process. It is located behind the stomach and adjoins close to it, as well as to the duodenum. Every day, iron secretes from 500 to 1000 ml of juice, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the entire digestive system. Its composition is enzymes, salts and water. Enzymes include:
- lipase - helps break down fats;
- amylase - responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates;
- chymotrypsin and trypsin - are involved in the process of protein digestion.
Iron secretes exactly those enzymes and in the amount that is necessary for the process of digestion of food received in the body. The salts contained in pancreatic juice neutralize acid in food and provide the alkaline reaction necessary for the absorption of carbohydrates.
In addition to pancreatic juice, the pancreas is responsible for the production of hormones insulin and glucagon, which enter the bloodstream and also help in the digestion process:
- insulin regulates carbohydrate and lipid (fat) metabolism by getting glucose into the blood and body cells, while lowering blood sugar;
- glucagon - increases the level of glucose in the blood.
The pancreas is closely connected with other organs of the digestive system, so any failure in its work will immediately affect the entire digestion process.
Features
The name of the disease (pancreatitis) comes from the Latin pancreas - pancreas and itis - inflammation.
In acute form, this disease is most often observed in adults. In children is less common and its symptoms are less pronounced. Such a diagnosis can lead to serious complications and even death of the child.
The reasons for the development of the disease can be different, and therefore reactive and acute pancreatitis are distinguished.
Reactive pancreatic inflammation is diagnosed in children much more often. Such inflammation is caused by intoxication of the body during food poisoning or infectious diseases. Often the cause of the disease is malnutrition. Frequent reactive inflammation can develop into an acute form.
Acute pancreatitis is a pathology in which the enzymes secreted by the pancreas do not enter the duodenum, but accumulate in the organ, destroying it. In turn, acute pancreatitis is divided into:
- interstitial;
- destructive, it is also called pancreatic necrosis.
Causes
The most common causes of acute pancreatitis in children are:
- Infections of viral hepatitis, influenza, enterovirus, herpes, salmonellosis, sepsis and others.
- Dumb abdominal injuries that a child may get in the process of playing, cycling and playing sports.
- Inflammation in the pancreatic ducts.
- Hypatobiliary pathology (cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis).
- Hypercalcemia is an excess of vitamin D.
- Toxic damage - poisoning by mercury vapor, lead, arsenic and other hazardous substances.
- Drug intoxication from the use of drugs such as Metronidazole, Furosemide, tetracyclines, etc.
- Inflammation of the digestive tract.
- Improper nutrition.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
With interstitial inflammation of the pancreas, symptoms of acute pancreatitis in children 3 years or more are observed, such as pain in the navel or slightly higher. The pain can be blurred and give to the left shoulder or lumbar region on the left. Often there are prolonged bouts of sharp pain. In the supine position or on the left side, the child becomes easier.
In addition, the characteristic signs of the disease are:
- heaviness in the stomach;
- nausea and lack of appetite;
- bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea;
- frequent vomiting, and it does not alleviate the condition of the patient, as it is repeated;
- cold sweat and palpitations;
- pallor of the skin.
With all this, the condition of the child can be called satisfactory. Such inflammation occurs without an increase in body temperature and is easily treatable.
Symptoms of destructive inflammation of the pancreas are as follows:
- severe, unbearable pain in the abdomen;
- persistent vomiting
- increased body temperature up to 38 ° C and above;
- icteric sclera, jaundice may develop;
- rapid pulse, superficial, low blood pressure;
- severe weakness and deterioration in general condition.
Destructive inflammation in children is rarely diagnosed, but such cases have been reported worldwide. In this case, the health of the child is in serious danger. Due to toxic shock, the mortality rate among patients is quite high. Therefore, the child requires prompt medical attention and urgent hospitalization.
First aid
Before the ambulance arrives, if there are signs of acute pancreatitis in children:
- It is necessary to lay the child in such a position that the abdominal muscles are as relaxed as possible.
- Do not give painkillers - this will complicate the diagnosis and smear the clinical picture.
- Put a heating pad with cold water or ice on your stomach to relieve pain.
- Do not give food and water, so as not to irritate the inflamed organ even more.
Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis
To exclude the wrong diagnosis, doctors examine the child for the absence of diseases with similar symptoms, such as acute appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, acute cholecystitis and more.
Conducted in acute pancreatitis in children, differential diagnosis. The exact clinical picture is given by hardware and laboratory studies:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- MRI or computed tomography;
- radiography;
- general blood test (ESR and white blood cells);
- blood biochemistry (determine the increase in pancreatic enzymes such as trypsins, lipases and amylases, also take into account the glucose content);
- analysis of urine and feces.
With symptoms of inflammation of the pancreas, the child is determined in a hospital, where they carry out all the necessary studies and make a diagnosis.
Pancreatitis Treatment
After diagnosing inflammation of the pancreas, the gastroenterologist prescribes the child mandatory drug therapy, as well as physical rest. It must be remembered that in acute pancreatitis, symptoms and treatment in children are interrelated.
In the early days of hospitalization, to ease the condition of the patient, he is prescribed antispasmodics and analgesics, such as:
- No-shpa;
- "Platyphyllin";
- "Papaverine";
- "Baralgin";
- "Promedol".
Due to the fact that the synthesis of enzymes is increased, with acute pancreatitis, antisecretory drugs are prescribed:
- Ranitidine;
- "Famotidine";
- "Pirenzepine".
The main point of treatment is the intravenous administration of plasma and a 5-10% glucose solution in order to reduce the activity of poisons and toxins in the body. If necessary, antihistamines may be given to the child.
Medicines such as Almagel and Maalox improve their condition, they lower the level of hydrochloric acid and relieve symptoms.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe natural choleretic drugs: infusions of herbs, corn stigmas.
After the end of a hungry diet (necessary in the first days of exacerbation), enzymatic preparations are prescribed that will facilitate the work of the pancreas. The most popular are Pancreatin, Creon, Mezim Forte and others.
Self-medication in acute pancreatitis is extremely dangerous. Incorrectly selected medications can aggravate the disease, as well as give complications to the kidneys, heart, and liver.
Diet and proper nutrition for acute pancreatitis
The key to recovery is an acute pancreatitis diet for children. Proper nutrition will help reduce the load on the pancreas and improve the overall condition of the child.
In the period of exacerbation, the first 24-48 hours, it is necessary to exclude any meal. The patient can drink mineral alkaline water without gas, as well as a rosehip decoction, in portions, 5 ml per 1 kg of weight, 5-6 times a day. Small patients are additionally prescribed glucose to support the body, as well as plasma and protein preparations, if indicated.
After a forced hunger strike, food should be introduced gradually and in small portions:
- 1-3 day - the food should be mashed so as not to strain the body (oat or buckwheat porridge without salt and oil is recommended, weak tea without sugar, scrambled eggs without yolk, steamed);
- 4th day - mashed porridge, low-fat cottage cheese, milk jelly and stale bread;
- 5-7th day - boiled mashed vegetables or vegetable soup puree;
- 8-10th day - minced meat from boiled lean meat or steamed cutlets;
- 2-3rd week - baked apples, fruit jelly, fresh vegetables and fruits in limited quantities.
When the body is fully adapted to food, a diet No. 5 is prescribed, where the protein content is increased by 30%, and the amount of fat and carbohydrates is reduced by 20%.
Diet after illness can last up to two months, in some cases longer. The child should eat in small portions 5-6 times during the day. It is necessary to completely exclude fatty and fried foods, smoked meats, marinades and semi-finished products of all kinds from the diet. Be wary of fresh fruits, vegetables, and juices. Temporarily abandon mushrooms, legumes, sodas, ice cream and chocolate.
During an exacerbation of pancreatitis, it is extremely important to follow a diet, otherwise drug treatment may not lead to a positive result.
Acute pancreatitis in children: clinical recommendations
Pancreatic inflammation refers to a disease that is easier to prevent than cure. Therefore, proper nutrition is the first step to the health of the child.
The diet, according to clinical recommendations, in acute pancreatitis in children should be balanced. It is necessary to observe a meal regimen. It is advisable to exclude processed foods, marinades, fatty and heavy for the stomach dishes. Also reduce the consumption of chocolate, replacing it with marshmallows and marmalade. It is important to monitor the health of the child.
If the digestive system is disturbed, immediately consult a pediatrician or gastroenterologist.
Alternative treatments for pancreatitis
It is important not only to relieve symptoms and alleviate the condition of the child, but also to fully normalize the pancreas. After (or during) a course of drug treatment, it will not be superfluous to use one of the recipes of alternative medicine.
Comprehensive treatment is always more effective. Alternative methods of treatment are natural ingredients, as well as herbs and plants, which, with the right approach, can not harm the body of the child. But before treatment it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Natural recipes
There are many ways to treat pancreatitis based on natural ingredients. Many recipes are developed by practitioners and renowned scientists.
Healing kvass, according to the prescription of academician Bolotov
The drink has a bactericidal effect, relieves the inflammatory process and attacks of pain, promotes the regeneration of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Kvass successfully treats not only chronic pancreatitis, but also skin diseases, dysbiosis, nervous disorders, and also strengthens the immune system.
The drink is prepared from four components:
- 3 l of whey or purified water;
- 1 tsp sour cream, fat content not more than 15%;
- 1 tbsp. Sahara;
- 25 g of celandine dry grass can be replaced with 1 cup of freshly picked grass.
In a three-liter jar, mix whey, sour cream and sugar. Wrap celandine in gauze and immerse in liquid, using any weighting agent. Remove the jar in a dark, warm place, after covering it with a cloth or gauze. It is important to remove plaque from the surface every day, and mix the contents.
On the fifth day, carefully pour the liquid into another jar, make sure that no sediment gets there (it will appear in a few days). Move the bag with celandine to this place and add serum or water.
After 10 days, kvass will start to foam - this indicates that the drink is prepared correctly.
On the 15th day, pour a liter of therapeutic kvass from the can, and on the remaining one, add water or serum again to the original volume. The drink can thus be diluted 4 times.
Treatment with Bolotov kvass should begin with small doses and take 1 tbsp. l three times a day half an hour before meals. In the process of therapy, it is necessary to monitor the general condition, if there are no side effects, then the dosage should be increased to 100 ml and taken according to the same scheme for three weeks.
Such treatment will help get rid of nausea and acute pain. To consolidate the result, it is recommended to drink the drink for another month.
Therapeutic vegetable juice, according to the prescription of the American doctor N.V. Walker
Walker tested this recipe on himself. In the research process, the doctor determined the optimal ratio of all components of the drink to restore and normalize the pancreas, as well as for the treatment of diabetes.
This healing juice includes fresh vegetables, taken in equal proportions:
- Brussels sprouts;
- carrot;
- fresh lettuce;
- green beans.
Juice is recommended to drink in the morning before meals, 0.5 cups for 30 days. During treatment, fast carbohydrates and sugar should be excluded from the diet.
In folk medicine, a huge number of recipes and methods for treating acute pancreatitis in children. If desired, any of them can be tried in action. As a rule, all recipes are available and effective. But before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor so as not to harm the child’s body even more.