Hypotrophy in children is a disease accompanied by chronic eating disorders, in which there is a loss of body weight and a delay in physical development. It can be both primary (arises as a result of improper and insufficient nutrition), and secondary (associated with impaired metabolism and assimilation of substances). In addition, the disease can appear both during fetal development, and after the birth of the baby.
Hypotrophy in children and its causes
In fact, there are many reasons for the development of hypotrophy, which can be associated with both external and internal factors. Here are just a few of them:
- Inadequate feeding or deficiency of nutrients supplied with breast milk or artificial mixtures.
- Infectious and chronic diseases that deplete the baby’s body.
- Bowel damage followed by malabsorption of nutrients.
- Long-term exposure to the body of certain toxins and drugs.
- Hereditary metabolic disorders.
- Diseases of the immune system.
- Congenital pathologies in the structure and functions of the digestive system.
- Frequent bowel surgery.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Underdevelopment of lung tissue, which leads to oxygen starvation.
- Encephalopathy during fetal development.
Hypotrophy of the 1st degree and its symptoms
Hypotrophy of the first degree is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. The fact is that even during intrauterine development, the fetal body tries to compensate for the lack of nutrients by depositing energy in subcutaneous fatty deposits. The initial growth of the baby after birth is normal, but gradually the amount of fat is depleted. In the future, there is a decrease in body weight up to 20% of normal. In addition, you can see that the skin of the child becomes less elastic, flabby, and the muscles gradually lose their tone. And although the baby's health is normal, he quickly gets tired. During sleep, he often wakes up and cries.
Hypotrophy 2 degrees: symptoms
Symptoms in children with a similar diagnosis are more noticeable than in the first stage of the disease. The skin, as in the previous case, becomes flabby, pale and dry, muscles are weak, and subcutaneous adipose tissue on the abdomen and extremities is quickly consumed. There is a stunted growth. In addition, thermoregulation mechanisms are violated - such children quickly freeze and overheat. Due to bowel problems, babies often suffer from dysbiosis. Such children are irritable, sleep poorly and are often capricious, but as they grow they become lethargic and lethargic.
Hypotrophy in children of 3 degrees
Such symptoms are immediately apparent. In children with this diagnosis, the subcutaneous fat layer is practically absent. The skin loses its elasticity - if you put it in a fold, then it will not immediately take its original shape. Muscle atrophy is also observed . Due to metabolic disorders, anemia and vitamin deficiency develop. Quite often there is bleeding of the mucous membranes due to a lack of vitamins A and C. The immune system is very weak, therefore such children are susceptible to infectious and inflammatory diseases. Due to muscle weakness, the abdomen is greatly stretched and sags. Thermoregulation centers also do not work normally, so body temperature is constantly fluctuating.
Hypotrophy in children is an extremely dangerous disease that requires proper treatment. In no case should you neglect medical advice.