Gastroenteritis in children usually occurs at an early age and in younger schoolchildren and manifests itself as an acute digestive tract disease of an infectious nature. Gastroenteritis in children is accompanied by digestive disorders, repeated vomiting and diarrhea, and dehydration phenomena.
Etiology of the disease
Acute gastroenteritis can be a viral and infectious etiology. Among viruses, the disease can cause rotaviruses, influenza virus and others.
Infectious pathogens are most often staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, the causative agent of dysentery, etc.
The ingress of pathological pathogens into the body occurs through unwashed hands, personal hygiene items, dishes, bottles, toys and products.
In particular, when a staphylococcal pathogen enters the products, it is able to multiply and accumulate enterotoxin. Staphylococci penetrate the body with meat, fish, dairy products, confectionery, canned goods. Moreover, seeded products by smell and appearance do not differ from normal ones. Salmonella can be found on eggs, meat, fish.
Gastroenteritis in children develops due to the ingestion of enterotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract by the oral or hematogenous route (via blood). Its absorption occurs already in the stomach, the period from the penetration of the pathogen into the body before the onset of the disease is very short and amounts to several hours.
Gastroenteritis in children, symptoms of the disease
Acute gastroenteritis in children has a sudden, acute onset. The characteristic signs are nausea, frequent vomiting, frequent undigested loose stools with a fetid odor. There may be cramping abdominal pain, rumbling. The disease is accompanied by subfebrile and febrile temperature. Dehydration of the body as a result of loss of fluid and electrolytes with vomiting and diarrhea is dangerous for the child. When dehydrated, the child is sluggish, dynamic, the skin is pale, their turgor is reduced, his eyes are sunken. A collaptoid state may occur. It is important to know that dehydration in young children occurs very quickly and poses a threat to health and life. At high temperatures, the child may experience cramps.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis is made on the basis of characteristic complaints and symptoms. In determining the cause of the disease and the diagnosis, epidemiological prerequisites (mass damage, connection with the use of a product) are of great importance. Diagnostic value is the allocation of the pathogen from the products.
Gastroenteritis in children, treatment
To remove enterotoxins, it is advisable to rinse the stomach with boiled water or a weak soda solution. With the development of dehydration, measures are taken to replenish the fluid. The child in this state is very weak. Water should be given in small portions, on a spoon. With severe dehydration, hospitalization and intravenous fluid administration are necessary. Usually injected saline solutions that make up for the loss of electrolytes. Prescribe digestive enzymes, probiotics. If necessary, apply antibacterial therapy, antipyretic drugs. The appointment of sorbents (activated carbon, polysorb, polyphepan, etc.) is possible. A special sparing diet is required.
With mild and moderate forms of the disease, an improvement occurs in a few days. Children with infectious gastroenteritis, a severe course of the disease are hospitalized in the infectious department.
Prevention comes down to personal hygiene, proper storage and processing of food. It is necessary to observe the cleanliness and processing of dishes, toys, rooms in kindergartens.