Babies still have unstable immunity, so they often get sick, especially infectious and inflammatory diseases. One of these diseases is radical pneumonia. In a child, it can develop both in infancy and in adolescence. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that it is difficult to diagnose: at the first stage, it is almost asymptomatic, which can lead to serious complications.
general information
Basal pneumonia is a pathology that affects the root of the lung. It is for this reason that pathology is difficult to diagnose.
As a rule, with the appearance of radical pneumonia in a child, wheezing is absent, an increase in body temperature may be insignificant, respiration also remains unchanged.
Symptomatology
In the future, the clinical picture changes somewhat. The kid loses his appetite, you can notice how his breathing quickens, especially when running or during games. You may experience excessive sweating. In some children, the nasolabial fold turns blue, the so-called cyanosis sets in.
You can already notice a temperature increase up to 39 degrees, skin tissues (in the area of the ribs) can even be drawn into the pathological process.
Different children react to the disease in different ways: some manifest increased irritability, others - apathy.
Symptoms may vary depending on the causative agent. If the disease is of viral origin, then there may be wheezing in the lungs and coughing. If the disease is of atypical origin, then its symptoms strongly resemble SARS: the baby has a runny nose, sore throat, and the temperature rises slightly.
The disease is also characterized by a protracted course, when compared with ordinary pneumonia.
Symptoms during an exacerbation
Symptoms of basal pneumonia in children worsen over time. The temperature is already rising to 40 degrees and it is almost impossible to bring down. Wheezing becomes stronger, shortness of breath intensifies and is observed even during rest. Cyanosis extends to the lips and nails. If there is a cough, sputum appears. There may even be impaired consciousness and heart failure.
Causes
The most common cause of basal pneumonia in a child is pneumococci, other microbes are less common: staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or hemophilic bacillus, Klebsiella, aerobic microbes. Mycoplasmas, fungi, and chlamydia become even less common. Possible causes may also include allergies and exposure to chemicals.
Stimulating factors for the appearance of pathology can be:
- prematurity;
- congenital heart defects;
- pathologies that occurred during fetal development;
- rickets;
- developmental delay;
- weakened immunity;
- hypothermia.
Passive smoking, which can cause the development of pneumonia, also negatively affects the baby’s health.
Pathology in infants
When a child develops an illness in infancy, the diagnosis becomes even more complicated, because the baby is not able to express the problem, to tell about what hurts him - he can only cry. The main symptom that you should pay attention to is loss of appetite.
Perhaps the appearance of cyanosis, which is best seen when feeding. The skin in the area of the ribs can be retracted, but in order to see this, it is necessary to lay the baby on a hard surface with the stomach down.
Forms of the disease
Both in adults and in children, 2 forms of this disease are distinguished:
- Inflammatory In this case, the disease is transient, the stage of exacerbation quickly sets in, then the disease goes into the stage of compaction and gradually resolves.
- Tumor-like. The pathology is long and the symptoms practically do not appear. At this time, the root becomes tuberous.
Depending on the location, the following types are distinguished:
- Left-side basal pneumonia. In a child, as in an adult, this form is very rare. This is due to the fact that in this part of the bronchi have an elongated and narrow shape.
- Right-handed radical pneumonia. In a child and an adult, this is the most common phenomenon and this is due exclusively to the structure of the bronchopulmonary system. On this side, the bronchi are short and broad in shape, so viruses and infections are much easier to settle there.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnosis is based on x-ray and laboratory studies. However, on x-ray images, the focus of the disease merges with the pulmonary root, so this pathology is often confused with cancerous tumors in the lungs or bronchi, and sometimes with tuberculosis. Therefore, do not be surprised that a child often takes tuberculosis tests.
An important research technique is auscultation, that is, listening to wheezing and breathing. At the same time, if the received data from listening and X-ray vary, most likely this is basal pneumonia in children, the treatment of which should begin immediately.
Diagnostic Features
As additional measures for making a correct diagnosis, computed tomography can be used.
A blood test is not always an effective method. With pneumonia, cancer and tuberculosis, ESR in the blood is increased, therefore, based on these data, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. If treatment does not give proper results, then resort to a biopsy.
Features of treatment in childhood
Regardless of age and symptoms, treatment of basal pneumonia in children is carried out in a hospital. The child is discharged home only when the danger to the life and health of the baby disappears.
The basis of therapeutic measures is the relief of factors that provoked the appearance of the disease.
First stage of treatment
At the initial stage of the disease, when the pathology is diagnosed, antibacterial treatment is performed. Depending on age and a number of other factors, the following may be used:
- antiviral medications;
- antifungal;
- bronchodilators.
Often used drugs that can support the immune system. In parallel, medications are prescribed to the child, which reduce body temperature and eliminate fever. With the correct diagnosis and well-chosen drugs, improvements can be observed already on the second or third day after the start of therapy.
Second stage of treatment
After eliminating the main symptoms and normalizing body temperature in the treatment of right-sided basal pneumonia in a child (as well as left-sided), the second stage of therapy begins, consisting of physiotherapy and respiratory gymnastics. Massage and warming can also be prescribed. With a weakened heart muscle, glycosides are prescribed to the child.
In the recovery period, it is very important for parents to monitor the drinking regimen of the child. At this time, he needs an increased amount of warm liquid. At this stage, heavy foods will have to be removed from the diet.
For quick recovery, herbal inhalations may be recommended - usually the kids tolerate them well.
Rehabilitation period
How to treat right-sided basal pneumonia (and left-sided) is determined by the doctor, but at the recovery stage a lot depends on the parents. First of all, the child needs fresh air, that is, he will have to walk with him more often. Do not also forget about breathing exercises and exercise therapy, for which the doctor individually prescribes medicines.
At the rehabilitation stage, herbal medicine can be a good tool for restoring the body - it is recommended to take the child to a spa treatment. After full recovery, it is better to harden the baby, teach him to eat properly and treat him for viral diseases in a timely manner.
Possible complications
Do not assume that healthcare providers are trying to scare parents. Pneumonia is indeed a serious illness with a wide list of possible complications. Late diagnosed or untreated pneumonia can cause myocarditis. This pathology is inflammatory in nature and affects the myocardium or cardiac muscle. To date, the viral origin of this disease has already been proven.
Endocarditis or exudative pleurisy may also develop, and this is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura, which can often be eliminated only by drainage.
It is also possible the appearance of cardiopulmonary failure or even the formation of an abscess in the pulmonary root. An abscess is characterized by the formation of pus in the tissues, in this case in the basal region, which is limited by a bag of connective tissue. In cases where the disease lasts a long time, it becomes chronic, and there may be several foci themselves.
Prevention
When you neglect the basic rules, this can lead to the development of radical pneumonia in a child and an adult. First of all, we are talking about hypothermia and diet. In no case should you feed your baby with harmful products.
In the period of exacerbation of viral diseases (autumn-spring season), it is recommended to give the child vitamin and mineral complexes in order to maintain immunity. You should not allow a long course of viral and respiratory diseases, and also do not self-medicate - it is better to consult a doctor immediately.
All infectious foci should be eliminated as much as possible and the baby should be protected from allergenic factors. Parents are advised to quit smoking so that the child is not a passive smoker. You should also take the child for preventive examinations in a medical facility. Do not refuse the recommended vaccinations.
Despite the fact that the symptoms of radical pneumonia in children are often mild, vigilant parents will notice that something is wrong with their child.