Children in the preschool period of their lives can very often get sick with various colds and infectious ailments, which are often complicated by the process of inflammation of the lymphatic system. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms and treatment of lymphadenitis in children, and also we will figure out what should be done in order to protect the child from such a dangerous disease.
About pathology
Pediatric lymphadenitis is a serious disease of the lymphatic system, which is associated with inflammatory processes in the respective nodes. As a result of the disease, the lymph nodes can enlarge.
In most situations, treatment of childhood lymphadenitis begins with the fact that a child with a diagnosed pathology is referred to an oncological hematologist, however, the malignant nature of this disease is confirmed in only one out of a hundred cases.
At what age does it arise?
It has long been established that childhood lymphadenitis is observed mainly in toddlers or preschool age as a complication of the course of provocative infectious and inflammatory pathologies that very often occur in childhood. It should be noted that this process is more active in infants compared with adult patients. What are the causes of lymphadenitis in children?
Reasons for the development of pathology
Lymph nodes in a child instantly respond to processes occurring in a young body. Usually they increase in size, after which they begin to hurt and develop into an independent disease that must be carefully treated. Pediatricians call the following causes of lymphadenitis in children:
- The presence of infectious diseases and inflammatory processes in the form of tonsillitis, caries, flu, mononucleosis or tuberculosis.
- The presence of untreated colds, which lead to the accumulation of pus in the lymph nodes.
- The presence of blood diseases.
- The appearance of a tumor on the internal organs.
- The process of teething, which, by the way, is the safest cause of lymphadenitis.
- Scratches that are not treated with antiseptics, as well as abrasions and cuts that can fester and provoke instant inflammation.
Be that as it may, but to independently understand why the child’s lymph nodes have increased should not be. It is necessary to consult a pediatrician so that after a detailed history study he determines the true factors that provoked lymphadenitis.
Symptomatology
Lymphadenitis in children can be much more difficult compared to adult patients. This disease has a complex classification and many types. Each type of ailment has its own signs and symptoms, respectively, and treatment methods will vary. Doctors unanimously argue that childhood lymphadenitis, as a rule, proceeds in two versions, namely in the form of an acute and chronic form.
In acute lymphadenitis in children, the symptoms are as follows:
- Lymph nodes can become inflamed and very painful.
- A significant increase in temperature is observed along with the onset of chills.
- The child may feel weak with a headache.
- It can become painful for the baby to turn his head, and also touch the place where the lymph nodes become inflamed.
- Loss of appetite.
- Accumulation of pus in the lymph nodes.
- The skin at the location of the inflamed suppurative lymph node blushes.
- The formation of a large abscess.
Signs of a chronic form
In that case, if you do not start treatment of the acute form of this disease, it will become chronic and for the rest of your life will bring a lot of discomfort. In cases of chronic lymphadenitis in children, the symptoms are slightly different:
- Lymph nodes are usually inflamed exactly the same as in the presence of an acute form, but they do not hurt.
- Lymph nodes become a kind of wandering, arising at the same time constantly in various places.
- Some lymph nodes against the background of the disease can break down, they are replaced by connective tissue.
- Fistulas may form on some lymph nodes, in which pus can accumulate, which will cause an extreme degree of pain.
Classification of childhood lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis in children is divided into several groups that characterize the complexity of the course of the disease. For example, this disease is classified by the nature of the pathology and the following forms are distinguished:
- Specific lymphadenitis, manifested as a side effect of severe infectious pathologies, which are almost impossible to cure. They also include HIV infection. This type of lymphadenitis in children is extremely rare.
- Nonspecific type of lymphadenitis. Its causative agents are streptococci along with staphylococci. In this case, inflammation develops in a certain area, and not throughout the body.
Forms by the nature of inflammation
By the nature of the inflammation of the lymph nodes , the following forms of the disease are distinguished:
- The development of serous lymphadenitis. In this case, one lymph node may become inflamed and blacken in children. Under it there is an accumulation of pus, which in the future will come out when the lymph node bursts. This is an extremely dangerous form of pathology, which can lead to blood poisoning, up to amputation of the limb.
- The development of purulent lymphadenitis. With this form, inflamed lymph nodes in children are characterized by the pulsating nature of the pain. The child may have a fever up to 38 degrees. There will also be a decrease in appetite and weakness. The site of inflammation swells, acquiring a red color. This form of the disease is treated exclusively by surgical intervention.
- Necrotic type of lymphadenitis. Such lymphadenitis often occurs in the neck. In children, it is extremely rare, but if it occurs, it causes a lot of inconvenience, since against its background perspiration intensifies, as well as severe neck pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.
On the outbreak
The following forms of pathology are distinguished by the focus of location:
- The development of cervical lymphadenitis. This is the most common type of disease that occurs against the background of infectious pathologies, which are very common in young children.
- The presence of submandibular lymphadenitis. With this form, inflammation of the lymph node leads to swelling of the chin, and sometimes the oral cavity. Often this type of lymphadenitis provokes dental diseases in children.
- The development of inguinal lymphadenitis. This form occurs in children due to antiseptic untreated abrasions on the leg. For example, an infection gets into the wound, which begins to manifest itself actively in the lymph nodes located in the groin. In children, this form is quite rare.
- The development of axillary lymphadenitis. This form occurs for the same reasons as cervical lymphadenitis. Basically, the disease passes in a purulent form with subsequent formation of fistulas.
- Parotid lymphadenitis in children occurs if combed acne in the area was found in the area. This form of lymphadenitis must be treated under the strict supervision of a doctor, otherwise there is a risk that the child will lose hearing.
Pathology diagnostics
Diagnosis of this disease in children involves the following procedures:
- A close physical examination of the lymph nodes in the cervical region and submandibular region.
- Correct diagnosis and assessment of the medical history.
- Conducting a blood test study.
- Perform an ultrasound examination of the lymph nodes inflamed on the neck.
- Visiting pediatric specialists such as a pediatrician, infectious disease specialist, hematologist, otolaryngologist, surgeon and TB specialist.
Diagnosis is usually aimed at identifying the root causes and foci of infection that provoked inflammatory processes in the lymphatic system.
Additional research
In addition to the main examinations, if indicated, the following procedures may be prescribed:
- Radiography of the thoracic region.
- Taking tuberculin samples.
- A lymph node biopsy followed by cytology and histology.
Treatment of lymphadenitis in children
In some cases, treatment is carried out conservatively without surgical interventions. As the main means, as a rule, antibacterial medicinal medicines are used for treatment, which are sufficiently effective and, at the same time, safe:
- The use of macrolides, such as Sumamed, along with Azithromycin.
- The use of aminoglycosides in the form of "Gentamicin" and "Amikacin". Antibiotics for lymphadenitis in children should be selected only by a doctor.
- The use of aminopenicillins, such as Amoxicillin.
- The use of cephalosporins, such as Cefazolin, along with Ceftriaxone, Cephaloridin and Cefotaxime.
In addition to the treatment of lymphadenitis in children, antiviral and immunomodulating medications can be prescribed. The system of treatment of this disease in a child in the case of serious pathologies in the oropharynx, as well as in severe submandibular, cervical and other lymphadenitis, provides for conservative intervention. How much lymphadenitis does a child have? About it further.
It is necessary to start therapy with cephalosporins almost immediately. After obtaining the results of microbiological studies and determining the etiology of the disease, therapy with etiotropic drugs, such as macrolides and antiviral drugs, can be continued. In the presence of mild forms, it is recommended from the very beginning to use macrolides as a therapy for this disease in children.
For the absolute destruction of pathogens of the inflammatory process in acute lymphadenitis in children, in most situations, seven days are required. In the presence of purulent cervical and submandibular lymphadenitis, ultrahigh-frequency therapy and electrophoresis with the addition of preparations containing iodine are actively used. Physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed exclusively after surgical autopsy of the affected lymph nodes and drainage of the cavity.
Operation
According to statistics, doctors use surgical treatment in four out of five cases, when there is a need to open an infected lymph node with subsequent drainage of its contents. In certain situations, doctors use an open biopsy, in the framework of which an excision or complete removal of the lymph node is performed. Also, compresses are often used for lymphadenitis in children.
Against the background of chronic currents, doctors often prescribe physiotherapy with Vishnevsky ointment, as well as prescribe antihistamines along with calcium gluconate, vitamins and restorative agents. Treatment of lymphadenitis in children in the preschool period is often carried out in a hospital. At any age, in the event of the diagnosis of "adenoflegmon", a mandatory hospitalization of the child is necessary for the further opening of the abscess and antibacterial treatment.
We will discuss further what preventive measures should be taken to protect a child from such a serious danger.
Prevention of lymphadenitis in children
It is important for parents to be able to recognize the disease in advance, as well as know the basic preventive measures. In order not to expose children to pathology, certain preventive measures should be performed, for example:
- Parents should regularly strengthen their child’s immunity. For this, the baby should be prescribed multivitamin courses periodically.
- It is very important to ensure that the child is always clean. This is especially true in cases in which the baby receives abrasions or scratches.
- It is necessary to regularly take the child to scheduled appointments with the pediatrician in order to examine him. In addition to the pediatrician, you should also take the baby to the dentist's appointment.
- In no case should you self-medicate. Without fail, each child must remain under medical supervision in the event that he falls ill.
All parents should give their children due attention, as well as time, so as not to miss the changes that occur with the child's body. If you start treatment for a child with a disease such as lymphadenitis in time, you can avoid many complications to which this pathology can subsequently lead. Do not forget that children's health is your concern, so carefully monitor the condition of your child.