Anemia in children in recent years is recorded quite often. This pathology is associated with a decrease in hemoglobin level and a decrease in the number of red blood cells. If untreated, the disease leads to oxygen starvation.
Of course, many parents want to know why anemia develops in young children. What symptoms should I look for? What tests should be taken? What are the most effective treatments? Answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
What is a disease?
In modern medical practice, cases of anemia in an infant are quite often recorded, as well as in older children. Of course, many parents are looking for any additional information.
Anemia, better known in everyday life as anemia, is a pathological condition that is accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin and a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the patient’s blood.
As you know, red blood cells perform an important function, as they transport oxygen to tissues and organs, while taking carbon dioxide. A kind of "core" of red blood cells is hemoglobin - a complex iron-containing protein that actually binds oxygen molecules and ensures its further transport. Anemia can be associated with a violation of protein synthesis, as well as a violation of the production of red blood cells in the red bone marrow.
It should be noted that the level of hemoglobin in the blood of children changes with growth. For example, in the first days of life, this indicator ranges from 180 to 240 g / l. In children under six months of age, the hemoglobin level is 115-175 g / l, and from six months to five years - 110-140 g / l.
According to statistics, this is a very common pathology. About 25% of newborns suffer from some form of anemia. Among children under the age of 4, this indicator rises to 43%. If we talk about the age group from 5 to 12 years, then the number of patients is 37%. About 30% of children during puberty suffer from anemia of one degree or another.
The main causes of the development of pathology
The causes of anemia in children can be very different. There is an effect of both internal and external factors. The list of them is quite impressive:
- Problems in the process of fetal development. Risk factors include anemia, as well as rubella and some other infections transmitted by the mother during pregnancy. Negative effect on the fetus is smoking a woman. The cause may be a violation of placental blood flow, improper development of the placenta or umbilical cord, as well as Rh conflict.
- Neonatal pathology. Anemia in children sometimes develops as a result of prematurity, birth injuries, premature or belated bandaging of the umbilical cord. Risk factors include low body weight.
- Improper nutrition. In this case, we are talking not only about the nutrition of the baby, but also about the diet of the mother, if the baby is breast-fed. Vegetarianism, lack of diet, monotonous diet, food with which an insufficient amount of vitamins enter the body - all this can provoke the development of anemia in an infant.
- Diseases of other systems and organs. Anemia often develops against the background of infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, in particular rickets, hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, intestinal pathologies, cancer problems, tuberculosis, mycoses, pyelonephritis, brucellosis, lung abscess, bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis.
- As already mentioned, anemia can be the result of blood loss.
- Children living in areas with adverse environmental conditions are more prone to this disease.
Classification according to pathogenesis
It is worth noting that today there are many classification schemes for this disease. If we consider the mechanism of development of anemia, then there are several of their forms.
Posthemorrhagic anemia is indicated if the hemoglobin level has decreased due to blood loss. Bleeding in this case can be associated with an injury or previous surgery, as well as with some diseases of the internal organs. It is worth noting that in this form of the disease it is easy to eliminate by stopping the loss of blood. In the future, the child will need additional drugs and proper nutrition, but most often the disease is well treatable.
Anemia is sometimes associated with impaired hematopoiesis. This group includes:
- iron deficiency - develop with iron deficiency, since hemoglobin synthesis is impossible without this substance;
- iron-unsaturated forms of anemia can be both congenital and hereditary (with such pathologies, the synthesis of porphyrin is disrupted, and the amount of hemoglobin in the produced red blood cells is too low);
- megablastic forms of anemia are usually associated with deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B12;
- dyserythropoietic anemia is associated with impaired hematopoiesis, the formation of pathologically altered red blood cells;
- hypoplastic and aplastic anemia in children is accompanied by bone marrow hypoplasia, a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and blood platelets produced (these forms of the disease are considered the most dangerous).
Anemia is not always associated with a violation of the bone marrow or a deficiency of substances necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Hemolytic anemia also occurs in children, which, however, is considered a relatively rare pathology. A similar pathological condition is characterized by increased destruction of red blood cells. In fact, the bone marrow does not have time to synthesize a sufficient number of red blood cells, because these cells are rapidly destroyed. At the same time, the products of the decay of red blood cells begin to accumulate in the blood, which is accompanied by a mass of disorders, including jaundice (associated with a sharp increase in the level of bilirubin).
Etiology: what types of anemia are possible?
There is a classification that focuses on the causes of anemia:
- Anemia of infectious origin develops against the background of mycoses, bacterial and viral diseases.
- Collagenous anemia is associated with autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis, Horton's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa.
Degrees of anemia in children
Many patients in the pediatric ward are diagnosed with this disease. Symptoms in children with anemia directly depend on the severity of anemia. To date, they are distinguished by three:
- if we are talking about mild anemia of the first degree, then the child has a decrease in hemoglobin level, but not lower than 90 g / l;
- anemia of the second degree (moderate) is characterized by fluctuations in hemoglobin in the range from 70 to 90 g / l;
- in severe anemia (third degree), the level of this protein in the blood drops below 70 g / l.
By the way, the further treatment regimen also depends on the severity of anemia.
Anemia: Symptoms in Children
It is worth noting that anemia, as a rule, develops gradually, so the clinical picture can be blurred. You may notice that the child is lethargic, quickly tired. Insomnia, constant fatigue, problems with concentration of attention are also noted. Children complain of headaches, periodic tinnitus. Increased irritability appears.
It is worth noting that such symptoms are often confused with chronic fatigue syndrome or the effects of overstrain. In any case, it is worth donating blood for analysis.
If untreated, the disease progresses, which primarily affects the work of the cardiovascular system. Symptoms such as tachycardia, a decrease in blood pressure, the appearance of functional systolic murmurs in the heart appear. In more severe cases, the child periodically loses consciousness. Occasionally, anemia leads to heart failure.
In addition, the ailment affects the functioning of the digestive system. Small patients complain of dry mouth. Sometimes ulcers appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, glossitis develops. Taste preferences vary.
Anemia in an infant is accompanied by profuse regurgitation, sometimes and full vomiting. There is a loss of appetite, as a result of which the baby eats little and gains weight poorly. Symptoms also include increased gas formation, constipation, which are replaced by diarrhea and vice versa. Of course, all these disorders affect the emotional state of the child - he often cries, sleeps poorly, suffering from constant colic in his stomach, becomes nervous, reacts sharply to external stimuli.
Anemia affects the appearance of a sick child. He loses weight, suffers from edema. The skin becomes unhealthy pallor, as well as mucous membranes. It is observed hair loss. Nails become brittle. In the corners of the baby's mouth, jams often appear that are difficult to treat.
The child’s immune system is weakened, as a result of which he often has the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia and other colds. They are also more prone to acute intestinal infections.
Possible complications
Anemia in children most often responds well to drug treatment. However, in a chronic course, pathology leads to multiple disorders. The list of possible complications is as follows:
- significantly weakened immune systems;
- various forms of heart failure;
- bone marrow dysplasia;
- chronic anemia, which is much more difficult to treat;
- coma associated with oxygen starvation;
- anemia in children under one year of age can lead to a delay in physical, mental and mental development;
- leukemia.
It is worth noting that aplastic anemia in children is the most dangerous and sometimes end in the death of a small patient.
Diagnostic measures
The above signs of anemia in children are a good reason to consult a specialist. After a general examination and medical history, the pediatrician will probably prescribe additional studies.
- The primary diagnosis includes a general blood test, during which the hemoglobin level, color index, and the number of red blood cells are determined.
- A biochemical blood test helps to determine the amount of serum iron, bilirubin, vitamins and other substances, which sometimes makes it possible to identify the cause of the development of anemia.
- Occasionally, bone marrow puncture is included in the diagnostic scheme.
- Additionally, examinations of internal organs are performed. Examinations of narrow-profile doctors, in particular, cardiologists, rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, and nephrologists, are also shown. Such procedures make it possible to identify the cause and determine the presence of complications.
After obtaining the results of all studies, a specialist will be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Drug treatment
The treatment of anemia in children has several tasks. With the help of certain means, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the occurrence of anemia, raise the hemoglobin level to a normal level, provide the baby with good care and proper nutrition.
- First of all, iron preparations are prescribed to the patient, both in tablet form and in the form of injections. Effective are Sorbifer, Ferroplex, Ferrum-Lek, Ektofer.
- Doctors also recommend a course of taking vitamins, in particular, vitamin B12 and folic acid, since it is these substances that are involved in hematopoiesis.
- If necessary, anabolic hormones and glucocorticoid drugs are introduced into the treatment regimen.
- In severe cases (if you cannot raise hemoglobin quickly with the help of tablets), doctors recommend a blood transfusion. This is an effective procedure, which nevertheless carries some risks.
- If appropriate, a bone marrow transplant is performed. Other measures are being taken to eliminate the symptoms and causes.
Of course, this is not all that can be done with anemia in children. Clinical recommendations also include regular sessions of therapeutic massage, physical activity (if possible, special physical therapy exercises), spa holidays, especially when it comes to a health institution located in the mountains.
Folk remedies: what will help with anemia?
Of course, traditional medicine offers a huge amount of natural medicines that help increase hemoglobin levels in the blood and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
Of course, in this case, you can not engage in self-medication, as this can only harm the child. Be sure to ask your doctor for advice before using any home remedies. It is believed that with anemia, infusions and decoctions of alfalfa, blackcurrant and strawberry leaves, golden mustache and mountain ash, rose hips, nettles and medunica help.
In addition, it is believed that regular consumption of dried fruits, yeast drinks, and also, in small quantities, honey, will help improve the body's work (note that this product often causes allergies).
What should anemia look like?
In order for the body to synthesize hemoglobin and produce a normal amount of red blood cells, it needs a sufficient amount of vitamins and proteins, which it receives with food.
Naturally, a lot here depends on the age of the baby. If we are talking about newborn babies, then the best food for them is breast milk. Gradually, fresh juices from fruits and some vegetables can be introduced into the diet. Starting from eight months, babies can eat light, lean meat, barley and buckwheat porridge. And at 12 months, the diet can be enriched with fruits, vegetables and fish.
As the child grows older, his menu becomes more diverse. The diet of an older child must necessarily include various soups (on broths), liver, meat and fish (boiled), flour products, eggs (chicken, quail), buckwheat, porridge, oatmeal, berries, vegetables and fruits (the most effective for anemia is considered cabbage, spinach, parsley and carrots). Also useful for children will be dairy products, cheese, cottage cheese, butter, nuts (in particular, pistachios), bean and pea puree.
If we are talking about breastfeeding or mixed feeding, then the mother should eat correctly first of all. In addition, some doctors recommend introducing special milk mixtures into the diet, for example, Detolact, Nutrilon, and Nestogen. Such cereals contain the right amount of vitamins and iron, which will help eliminate the deficiency and normalize the body. By the way, in this case, you should not refuse breastfeeding. For example, 1-2 times a day, a baby can be given a mixture, and the rest of the time, breast milk.
Preventive actions
Following some recommendations, you can reduce the risk of developing anemia and prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications. Prevention of anemia in children is not such a difficult matter.
- It is important to regularly take blood tests - the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to get rid of it.
- If the baby was born ahead of time, then starting with three months he needs to take iron supplements.
- Proper nutrition is important (both the baby and the mother, if it comes to the period of pregnancy and lactation).
- The child needs regular walks in the fresh air, physical activity, hardening, which strengthens the immune system. Visits to mountain resorts will have a positive effect on the state of health and development of the baby.
If disturbing symptoms appear, consult a doctor. Anemia in children is a serious illness that can lead to dangerous consequences.