With intestinal dysbiosis in children, babies begin to experience many unpleasant symptoms, for example, they are worried about stool problems.
This disease is a violation of the balance of intestinal microflora. In the intestines of a child are many different microorganisms. They can be harmful and beneficial. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria help digest food, produce the required vitamins, and are also involved in other processes.
With negative factors, harmful microorganisms are activated, which lead to the development of various diseases.
Microflora formation
A baby is born with a completely sterile intestine. Contact in the delivery room with surrounding objects leads to the fact that various bacteria enter the baby's body. In addition, certain microorganisms get to the baby when it passes through the birth canal of the mother. However, they are not enough, and the immunity of the crumbs is not too strong to fully resist pathogens.
Early attachment of the baby to the breast is very important, as the mother’s milk helps protect the baby’s body from various negative factors. Providing the required conditions, the bifidobacteria received by the newborn at birth do not die, but rather grow and multiply, forming the normal intestinal microflora. This immunity protects the child of the first year of life.
During the first 3-5 days of a child’s life, intestines are colonized by various microorganisms, among which pathogenic microorganisms are also present along with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. As a result of this, during the first week after the birth of the baby, a temporary intestinal dysbiosis develops.
It manifests itself in the form of an unstable watery stool, in which mucus, greens are present in large quantities, as well as severe abdominal pain and frequent regurgitation. In the absence of aggravating factors, temporary dysbiosis occurs approximately by the second week of a child's life. However, for the formation of normal microflora, a number of important rules must be observed, namely the early application of the baby to the chest, breastfeeding for at least 1 month.
Causes of occurrence
There are various causes of dysbiosis in children, among which can be distinguished such as:
- intestinal infections;
- artificial feeding;
- taking antibacterial drugs for a long time.
Antibiotics destroy not only pathogens, but also the majority of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Artificial feeding also affects the microflora of the digestive system quite badly. In mixtures intended for feeding a child, all required lactobacilli and bifidobacteria must be contained that help regulate the process of digestion of food.
Intestinal infections are considered one of the causes of intestinal dysbiosis in children. Poisoning with poor-quality food leads to the development of the pathological process. This leads to the fact that dangerous bacteria multiply in the body.
A change in the diet can provoke an imbalance of microorganisms, especially if the consumed foods were not selected according to age. Children's intestines cannot normally digest food, which begins to decompose in the intestines, where it becomes a very good environment for the propagation of pathogens. The same result can provoke overfeeding the child.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of dysbiosis in children are often not too pronounced, they can be easily confused with other intestinal disorders. However, it is worth noting that typical signs are such as:
- stool disorders;
- abdominal pain;
- flatulence, colic and bloating;
- the presence of a metallic taste in the mouth;
- decreased immunity;
- frequent colds;
- dry skin;
- dermatitis.
Symptoms of dysbiosis in infants may not occur immediately, but only appear after 1-1.5 months. The kid is gaining weight very poorly, there is a deterioration in appetite, the stool becomes very thin with greenish impurities. In an older child, classic signs of the disease are observed, and the number of bowel movements increases sharply.
The stool becomes more fluid, with undigested pieces of food. In many ways, the symptoms of dysbiosis in children depend on the degree of the course of the disease. In the first degree, the number of beneficial microorganisms is significantly reduced, but bacterial growth has not yet begun. Among the main signs, frequent colds and a loss of appetite can be distinguished.
At the second stage, the active growth of harmful bacteria begins, there is increased gas formation, diarrhea with an unpleasant and pungent odor, or there may be constipation. With the course of the 3rd degree of the disease, diarrhea becomes chronic, and flatulence and colic do not stop. The child begins to get sick very often, becomes very irritable. Children under one year of age may show signs of rickets.
4 is considered the most dangerous degree, since it is characterized by the fact that dangerous bacteria actively propagate in the intestines of a child, which can provoke acute intestinal infection at any time. Undigested food debris begins to release dangerous toxins, and chronic poisoning is also observed. Among the symptoms of dysbiosis in children, the presence of persistent diarrhea with a very sharp, putrid odor can be distinguished. If treatment is not done in a timely manner, then the health of the crumbs begins to deteriorate sharply, signs of intoxication are observed, and the baby also ceases to gain weight.
Given the degree of dysbiosis in children, the doctor selects the appropriate treatment to achieve the maximum possible result.
Diagnostics
Many are interested in how dysbiosis manifests itself in children in order to timely diagnose the disease and choose the most appropriate treatment. Impaired functioning of the intestine is usually associated with the underlying disease. This diagnosis is always secondary and is made by the doctor in the presence of diseases of the digestive system.
The diagnosis is based on laboratory tests. An analysis of dysbiosis is necessarily required, for which feces are collected. However, this method does not belong to the most reliable, which is why the use of techniques such as:
- biochemical analysis of feces;
- examination of bile and intestinal contents;
- scraping from the mucosa of the duodenum 12;
- colonoscopy;
- gastroscopy.
An analysis of dysbiosis helps to determine the peculiarity and number of pathogens. In addition, ongoing studies allow us to evaluate the parietal microflora of the intestine in order to obtain the most reliable information. Complex endoscopic examinations should be performed only for strict medical reasons.
Treatment features
How to treat dysbiosis in a child, only the attending doctor can determine. It is worth noting that therapy must necessarily be long and comprehensive. First of all, you need to take into account the severity of this condition. Of great importance is the result of the analysis of feces. Important components of the comprehensive treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in a child are:
- food;
- prebiotics;
- probiotics;
- antibiotics
- folk remedies of therapy.
Nutrition for dysbiosis in children must be of high quality. Breast milk is an ideal product, as breast-fed babies are less prone to intestinal microflora disturbance. In addition, breast milk contains the required enzymes that have a beneficial effect on digestion.
If breastfeeding is not possible for certain reasons, then the child must necessarily receive a mixture adapted to the age of the baby, as close as possible to the composition of human milk. Feeding whole milk is not possible, as the protein contained in it is very poorly absorbed. This will only exacerbate the problem of dysbiosis.
For older children, a special diet is required, which should be as sparing as possible for the intestines. Food should be fractional, but you need to eat in small portions.
Mandatory treatment requires medications that can help eliminate pathogens in the body. It is important to carry out symptomatic therapy, which will restore the balance of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Treatment with alternative methods can bring a good result, however, only the attending doctor should prescribe all drugs.
Drug therapy
How to treat dysbacteriosis in a child is of interest to so many parents, since it is necessary to choose the right medications. Therapy at any stage of the disease requires an integrated approach and a combination of several different drugs.
When conducting treatment, initially it is necessary to eliminate all negative factors that can provoke an imbalance in the balance of microorganisms in the intestine, in particular:
- get rid of intestinal parasites;
- normalize food quality;
- eliminate the pathology of the digestive system.
Doctors prescribe various probiotics, as they contain beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. In particular, products containing lactobacilli, for example, such as Acylact or Biobacton, are considered very good.
Bifidobacteria are available in tablet form and are not recommended for use in children under 3 years of age. In addition, Bifidumbacterin is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Also, prebiotics will be required - substances that ensure the normal development of microflora, as well as inhibit the growth and activity of harmful microorganisms. These drugs include Hilak Forte or Dufalac.
In some cases, antibacterial drugs are prescribed that help eliminate intestinal infections and fungi. Treatment of children in this way is strictly prohibited, as this can provoke many different disorders. Antibiotics do not work on most intestinal bacteria. In addition, prolonged use of these drugs can provoke a deterioration in well-being, as well as exacerbate the problem, since dysbiosis in a child often occurs after antibiotics.
Depending on the complaints, sorbents, a laxative for constipation, antifungal drugs, immunostimulants in case of weakening of the immune system can be additionally prescribed. If vomiting is observed in the child, then you need to give him saline and glucose to prevent dehydration.
The medicine for dysbiosis for children is selected exclusively by the attending doctor, so as not to provoke a deterioration in the well-being of the baby.
Folk remedies
For the treatment of dysbiosis, you can use not only medications, but also alternative methods. It is possible to carry out therapy of microflora imbalance with the help of medicinal herbs, however, it is preferable to consult a doctor first and make sure that the child does not have allergies.
Kids can be given a decoction of chamomile, as this is a very good natural antiseptic. To restore the intestinal microflora with an enema with heated kefir. You can get rid of diarrhea with a decoction of oak bark.
In children after 1 year, treatment can be carried out using enemas using aromatic oils, as this is a very good folk remedy. A very good remedy is tea tree oil, lavender, and fennel.
You can take a decoction of the series, since it contains many prebiotics. To make a healthy drink you need 2 tbsp. l herbs of the series pour 300 ml of hot water. After cooling, you can take a decoction before each meal. The course of therapy is no more than 1 week.
Dieting
It is very important to understand what to give the child with dysbiosis so that the baby can normalize and not provoke an aggravation of the problem. For proper therapy, proper nutrition is required. At the initial stages of the course of the disease, a child’s nutrition must necessarily include natural prebiotics and probiotics, fiber, dietary fiber, and pectins.
In the presence of a liquid stool of a child with dysbiosis and fermentation processes in the body, a more strict diet must be followed. In order to treat a violation of the intestinal microflora, it is necessary to include fermented milk mixtures, baby kefir in the diet, as well as use vitamin and mineral complexes. After 2 years of age, the diet must include dishes with a high content of dietary fiber.
It is advisable to give the child cereals, boiled or steamed vegetables, vegetable puree, apples baked with honey, drinks prepared on the basis of mountain ash and wild rose. In the early days, it is best to limit your food intake and give your child plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Then, little by little, you can introduce non-fat vegetable and fish broths, porridge, meat into the diet. After normalizing the stool, you can switch to the usual diet. In the presence of dark diarrhea in a child, the diet should include boiled vegetables, dairy products, fruit drinks and compotes. If the parents do not know what the child can do with dysbiosis, you should definitely consult a doctor who can develop and prescribe a diet in accordance with the characteristics of the course of the disease.
Dysbacteriosis in infants
A baby is born with a completely sterile intestine, and in the first days of the baby's life, it is colonized by bacteria. More than half the mother passes the baby along with breast milk. Colostrum contains a double portion of all the beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. In some cases, breastfeeding becomes impossible.
An early transition to mixtures and their improper choice become one of the main causes of dysbiosis in children up to a year. In this case, the baby has quite characteristic signs, in particular colic in the abdomen, increased gas formation, diarrhea. The child becomes very moody, restless, his appetite worsens. However, it is not always possible to make a diagnosis based on signs alone, which is why it is necessary to pass tests to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.
The baby is not recommended to give antibacterial drugs, and only a qualified doctor should prescribe probiotics and prebiotics, taking into account the severity of the course of the violation.
What could be the consequences
Dysbacteriosis does not belong to a single disease, it is rather a condition of the body that occurs when many other disorders occur. It is worth noting that this condition can be very dangerous for the baby, since a prolonged imbalance of microorganisms allows pathogenic bacteria to completely colonize the intestines.
Since microorganisms participate in the digestive tract and contribute to the breakdown of food into separate components, the violation of microflora does not allow the body to receive all the required nutrients with food. If a child asks for a lot more food, then this may be the first sign of dysbiosis.
Digestive disorders can lead to malabsorption. If there is no adequate treatment, then the disease continues to develop more and can lead to complications such as:
- avitaminosis;
- chronic enterocolitis;
- anemia;
- gastroduodenitis;
- pancreatitis
All these complications are rather unpleasant, but they are not fatal. However, there are consequences of the course of the disease that pose a threat to life. These include:
- peritonitis;
- sepsis;
- bowel cancer.
With timely access to a doctor, you can get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time, without fear of dangerous consequences.
Preventative measures
Prevention of dysbiosis consists in observing the daily regimen and organizing proper nutrition. For children of the first two years, breastfeeding is very important. With milk, the baby receives a lot of lactobacilli, which colonize the intestines. If breastfeeding is not possible, then a mixture is required that is distinguished by immunogenic qualities.
Drugs must be prescribed only by the attending doctor. With prolonged use of antibiotics, the child should be given probiotics at the same time. It is important to ensure that he consumes only fresh and quality food. Children from a very young age need to be accustomed to proper nutrition. You need to consume as little flour products and as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.
Imbalance of the intestine can develop at any age, which is why it is necessary to take preventive measures, as well as timely treatment of violations.