What kind of disease is peritonitis? This is an acute stage of the inflammatory process that has occurred due to dysfunction of the peritoneum. Most often, peritonitis in children occurs with appendicitis, after surgery to remove it. If the child is not helped on time, serious complications and death may follow.
Peritonitis in children is significantly different from an adult disease, since the internal organs of the babies are not fully formed, and the systems work in full force. In case of a disease, only a surgeon selects the method of treatment, self-medication and the use of traditional medicine are completely unacceptable.
The article will discuss peritonitis. What is this disease, what are its symptoms and causes of development? We will also talk about treatment and prognosis, prevention and possible complications.
Causes of the disease
Doctors identify factors that provoke the development of this condition in children. The main causes of peritonitis:
- exacerbation of acute appendicitis;
- bleeding in the abdomen;
- intestinal obstruction;
- worms;
- inflammatory processes in the internal organs or in the abdominal cavity;
- umbilical sepsis;
- infections
- tears in the abdominal cavity;
- injuries and injuries in the abdomen;
- the presence of meconium in the peritoneum.
In children, it is very difficult to diagnose appendicitis. This disease is more common among adults. But it is precisely in children that appendicular peritonitis most often occurs after surgery (appendicitis requires such treatment). Symptoms are very similar to other diseases of the peritoneum. And the younger the child, the more difficult it is to make an accurate diagnosis.
Appendicular appendicitis goes through the following stages:
- Reactive period. It lasts about a day.
- Toxic stage - lasting 72 hours.
- The terminal stage, there are obvious signs of the disease, the fever is high.
At each stage, there are signs and symptoms, the sooner the disease is detected, the greater the chance of avoiding complications.
Classification
Depending on the causes of peritonitis and its spread, the following classifications are developed:
- According to the spread of peritonitis, there are: local; spilled; common.
- According to the localization of the disease in children, the following forms are distinguished: Appendicular - it is characterized by the collection of blood, cells and pus around the appendix; Primary peritonitis in children (cryptogenic), most often occurs in children from 4 to 7 years. The form of the disease affects only girls when the infection enters the peritoneum through the vagina. Peritonitis of newborns occurs due to perforation of the gastrointestinal wall or with the development of defects in the intestine. Combined peritonitis - when pus and fluid accumulate directly in the peritoneum.
Symptoms
Acute pain in children occurs in very rare cases. Since the child’s body is just forming, the symptoms of peritonitis in children are manifested with a general deterioration. It should be noted that all the characteristic signs of the disease are not pronounced.
The main symptoms of peritonitis in children, if it is provoked by appendicitis, trauma or infection:
- tearfulness, anxiety of the child;
- sluggish appearance;
- poor appetite;
- insomnia;
- high body temperature;
- bloating;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- abdominal pain;
- dry skin.
Primary peritonitis is characterized by the rapid development of the disease. The following symptoms are observed:
- high body temperature;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- vomiting
- diarrhea;
- pale and dry skin;
- sparkling eyes;
- white coating on the tongue;
- thirst.
With a localized form of peritonitis in children, the symptoms are less pronounced, but appear as follows:
- discomfort in the right side of the abdomen;
- body temperature not higher than 38 degrees;
- rapidly developing symptoms of SARS.
Parents should note that the symptoms of the disease in children are significantly different from the symptoms in adults. At the initial stage, signs of the disease may not be observed at all. But, nevertheless, peritonitis develops further and can go into a purulent form, because the focus of inflammation is rapidly increasing.
Adults should definitely pay attention to the following alarming symptoms, and immediately seek medical help. Sound the alarm if the child:
- vomiting and nausea;
- body temperature above 38 degrees;
- sharp pain in the right side of the abdomen;
- general condition deteriorates rapidly;
- disruption of the intestines;
- painful and frequent urination;
- loss of appetite;
- very tense abdominal muscles.
At an early stage, the symptoms sometimes disappear and a temporary improvement in health (false) occurs, but the body temperature remains high. The child feels better, but then, the condition worsens sharply, the symptoms begin to manifest with renewed vigor. During the period of false improvement, treatment should not be stopped, since the reasons that provoked peritonitis are not completely eliminated.
In the later stages of the disease, the following symptoms of peritonitis in children are observed:
- eyes are constantly watery and shiny;
- the skin turns gray;
- lack of bowel movement within a few days;
- rapid pulse;
- severe throbbing pain in the abdomen.
Diagnostics
At the first sign of a disease, you should immediately seek medical help. The doctor examines the patient, takes blood and urine for analysis, and conducts an ultrasound diagnosis.
In severe and neglected cases, puncture and surgery are performed, they can puncture the peritoneum and pump out fluid and pus (in case of emergency).
Treatment
The only way to treat severe peritonitis is surgery. The surgeon performs a laparotomy and examines the peritoneum. If necessary, the cause of infection is eliminated, the peritoneal cavity is washed with antibacterial agents and antibiotics. After suturing the wound, a small drainage is fixed for the introduction of antibiotics.
In the postoperative period of peritonitis, children are treated as follows:
- Antibiotics are injected into a vein.
- Give the child antipyretic drugs.
- Prescribe drugs for intoxication and to improve blood circulation.
- Set on a strict diet.
It is very important to adhere to a special diet after treatment of peritonitis. After the operation, the child can eat:
- broths (chicken or turkey);
- yogurts without additives (classic);
- mashed vegetables;
- rice porridge on the water;
- honey;
- berries and fruits.
Without the knowledge of the doctor, you should not take any food or medications. If all the rules for treating peritonitis in children and the clinical recommendations of doctors are followed, then recovery will come very quickly.
Complications
Despite the level of modern medicine, peritonitis is dangerous with a number of complications:
- adhesive diseases;
- sepsis;
- cancer;
- impaired renal function;
- disruptions in the work of the digestive tract.
However, complications may not occur immediately, but several years after primary peritonitis in children. In pediatric surgery, these are quite common.
Rehabilitation and Prevention
You can prevent this serious disease, the main thing is to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, which implies:
- proper nutrition;
- compliance with sleep and wakefulness;
- compliance with personal hygiene;
You also need to remember two important rules:
- at the first suspicion, parents need to seek professional help;
- Do not self-medicate, it can lead to serious complications and even death of the baby.
The key to success in the treatment of this disease is timely surgical intervention. The prognosis for recovery in such cases is positive.
Forecast
The disease develops gradually, the initial stage goes into the compensated stage (when the body itself is able to cope with inflammation). However, after this the stage of decompensation begins (the body is no longer able to fight, it has lost all its strength, the patient is very weak and lethargic). In this case, only surgery can save a child’s life. Of great importance in the success of the operation is the timely visit to a doctor and the general state of the child’s health at the time of hospitalization.
To summarize
Peritonitis, in medicine, is called inflammation of the abdominal region. Moreover, this disease in children has a number of distinctive features. The organs and systems in them continue to form, so the symptoms are not so pronounced. You should carefully monitor the child and at the first symptoms show it to the surgeon. Procrastination in this disease can cost a child life. The risk of death in children with peritonitis is 50-90% of all cases.
Parents should do everything to prevent the development of peritonitis in children. It is necessary to timely treat diseases of internal organs and infections that can provoke the development of peritonitis. Even a minor disease or a simple digestive tract disorder can result in serious consequences. To avoid this terrible disease, it is necessary to try with the whole family to lead the right lifestyle, organize the child proper nutrition, make sure that he has a good rest. Parents bear all responsibility for the life and health of their children. Only the correct organization of a child’s life can minimize the risk of developing dangerous diseases.