Many parents consider antibiotics almost a panacea, others - they are afraid like fire. They are released under beautiful names, in bright packaging, widely advertised. But what diseases do you really need to drink antibiotics for and is it worth giving them to children?
Definition
What is a children's antibiotic? In fact, he is no different from an adult. Antibiotics are natural or synthetic substances that are capable of suppressing the vital functions of bacteria and a number of fungi. In fact, they can be called antiseptics, which can work not only outside but also inside the body.
The discovery of antibiotics by scientists was a real breakthrough in medical science, because it is the only effective treatment for many serious and even fatal diseases, such as anthrax or tuberculosis. They were widely used for severe wounds and injuries, they began to be prescribed to patients as a prevention and suppression of postoperative inflammation and purulent processes. Now there are many types of antibiotics, including the so-called children's antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action, which are prescribed by doctors if the diagnosis cannot be established accurately.
Is the child a small adult?
Many people believe that if the child’s weight is, say, twenty kilograms, then he can take “adult” medicine at a dosage of 1/3 of the usual “adult” dose, which is calculated per person weighing about seventy kilograms. And this seems logical, because the pediatrician also uses a weight indicator when calculating the dose of a children's antibiotic. However, a child is not a small copy of an adult. In children, the metabolism, metabolism, and enzymes are produced in a different way according to a different algorithm. And medical educational institutions do not just release pediatricians - doctors who deal exclusively with child patients.
Here are just some of the parameters that affect the metabolism of drugs in children's organisms:
- Immature liver enzyme system. She takes part in the breakdown of drugs, during which medicines are converted into active metabolites. Also, it is the liver that timely removes them from the body.
- Vulnerable kidneys. With the urine, the products of the processing of drugs are also excreted, which is why the kidneys are one of the first to suffer from toxic medications and chemicals.
- Accelerated metabolism. A quick metabolism affects both the course of the disease and the metabolism of drugs. For example, in the body of a newborn baby, the water molecule is delayed up to five days, and in an adult - up to fifteen. It is easy to calculate that the metabolic processes in the organisms of babies are 3-5 times faster, and this is an important factor when prescribing drugs by a doctor, especially if they are broad-spectrum antibiotics for children.
- More fluid. A person is 65% water, but at an early age this percentage is even greater. For example, a newborn is 75% water. This parameter strongly affects the distribution of the drug throughout the body, and the child also suffers much more loss of fluid loss. That is why for children during the illness, drinking should be more plentiful than in adults.
Many inexperienced mothers, having read on the Internet that there is no such division into adult and child antibiotics, begin to treat children with the same medicines that they use for themselves, simply reducing the frequency and dose, but this is not enough. Yes, there really is no clear line between infant and adult antibiotic drugs. These groups are quite arbitrary, but in the first one they always have the most high-quality, proven, “soft” drugs that do not lead to intoxication and are most suitable for small patients, taking into account their metabolism.
Types of Antibiotics
Many inexperienced parents begin to resist even the opinion of antibiotics. Some, on the contrary, are self-medicating and give the child these drugs for any diseases, whether it is a cough, runny nose or tonsillitis. However, the fact is that antibiotic drugs are intended to treat specific diseases, or rather, to combat specific bacteria. Knowing the theoretical part will allow parents to scientifically approach the issue of choosing good childhood antibiotics and avoid common misconceptions:
- The range of action is cocci. These are pathogens such as staphylococci, streptococci, meningococci and others, as well as clostridia and corinobacteria. This type includes first-generation cephalosporins, such as macrolides, benzylpenicillin, lincomycin and bicillin.
- A wide range. These antibiotics work especially well on gram-positive sticks. These are the so-called second-generation cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, which is not recommended for infants, tetracyclines prohibited for children under eight years of age, as well as aminoglycosides and semisynthetic penicillins.
- Specialization "gram-negative sticks." These are third generation cephalosporins and polymyxins.
- Effects on fungi. These are diflucan, ketoconazole, levoin, nystatin.
- Anti-tuberculosis. These are florimycin, rifampicin and streptomycin.
When are antibiotics really needed? As a rule, doctors prescribe childhood antibiotics for angina, but only if it is caused by streptococcus. This is only one of four types of angina. Also, an indication for taking antibiotics is acute purulent sinusitis or a chronic form in exacerbation, paratonsillitis, epiloglitis, pneumonia and otitis media in children in the first six months of life. It turns out that the list of diseases is not that big, so why is the question of parents so often about what kind of children's antibiotic is needed for coughing? After all, coughing is not a good reason to prescribe such a drug!
High fever without other symptoms is also not a reason to treat a child with antibiotics, because they themselves are not antipyretic drugs. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. If there is no way to call an ambulance and consult a doctor, it is impossible to examine the child, but you have to decide right now and on your own, then in these two cases it is necessary to use second or third generation cephalosporins.
- children under three years old with a temperature above 39 degrees;
- children up to three months with a temperature above 38 degrees.
What if this is not possible? For example, there are no around-the-clock pharmacies and nowhere to buy the drug? Of course, you need to use antipyretic drugs, for example, paracetamol. Most likely, with good immunity, the body will cope with the infection without the use of antibiotics, but the process will be lengthy. The disease exhausts the child much more. No parent can claim that the child has good immunity, because now there are many unfavorable factors, such as ecology, malnutrition and heredity.
ARI and ARVI
Taking into account the above, the question of whether a children's antibiotic is needed for coughing and a runny nose becomes extremely clear. ARI and SARS are caused by viruses that antibiotics have no effect on! Yes, a bacterial infection can go along with a viral infection and manifest as other symptoms or as a complication. You can judge the presence of such a bacteriological analysis. Also, if after five to seven days the condition of the child has not improved, this indicates the appearance of a bacterial infection.
In this case, children's drops with an antibiotic are not used, as are antibiotic preparations in general, unless, of course, the course of the disease is standard, the symptoms are typical and there are no complications.
Determining the nature of infection
But how to determine the causative agent of the disease in a child? The easiest way to treat a respiratory illness, such as a common cold, is to have a complete blood count. That is why the doctor at the first appointment always prescribes general tests. Deciphering the results of the clinical analysis helps organize further treatment of the child. If the doctor immediately prescribes antibiotic drugs, without taking into account the results of the tests, ask them to do it or offer to do it yourself, at your own expense. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, with angina, children's antibiotics are prescribed almost always before the test results come, since the bacteriological nature of the disease can be determined by the symptoms. Any doctor immediately sees the difference between the types of tonsillitis.
In addition to a general blood test, the doctor can prescribe other studies of the nature of the infection, for example, taking smears.
Admission Rules
Parents should remember a few rules regarding antibiotic therapy in children.
Firstly, antibiotics should be taken only with the bacterial nature of the disease. They are also effective against certain fungi.
Secondly, at the doctor’s appointment, you should definitely tell if the child has taken antibiotics over the past three months, and if so, which ones.
Thirdly, the form in which the infant antibiotic is taken. Suspension, tablets, syrup, but not injections. Injections are used only in severe cases of the course of the disease or if internal administration of the drug is not possible. This is also an indication for hospitalization!
Fourth, do not abuse antipyretic drugs while using antibiotics.
back side
The “two camps” of parents who go to extremes have already been mentioned above. Those who are afraid of antibiotics like fire are partly right, because the best, most modern and low-toxic antibiotics from the point of view of pharmaceuticals can be harmful. The reason is that these compounds do not distinguish between "friends" and "aliens," that is, natural and pathogenic flora, they simply destroy bacteria, including the intestinal microflora and other mucous membranes. The balance of microflora in the body is disturbed, which can lead to problems with digestion, stool, etc. Also, taking antibiotics can cause thrush.
Another consequence of taking antibiotics is the increase in bacteria resistance to it. That is, the more often a child is treated with antibiotics, the greater the ability of various bacilli to develop immunity to drugs. A far-fetched, but very simple example: a neighbor's boy was treated with antibiotics. After a while, he felt better, and his parents decided that he should not continue to take these harmful pills - the improvement has come! The surviving bacteria have developed immunity. Then this boy plays with your child and infects it with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy, but it no longer works, because these bacilli are already resistant even to strong and good baby antibiotics, and this can significantly complicate the treatment. There is the concept of "cured immunity", which is applied to children whose diseases do not even respond to strong drugs. That is why it is not necessary to use children's antibiotics for colds, coughs, and typical colds that are treated with completely different drugs!
How to reduce harm?
Sometimes antibiotic drugs are necessary, and although they are harmful, they are not as dangerous as they may seem. Yes, they negatively affect the natural microflora of the body, but it can be supported! Just use all the means available to you.
Breastfeeding as much as possible, because breast milk has a positive effect on the growth of dairy flora.
The digestive glands can be supported by drugs like Hilak forte and Creon 10000.
Constantly "add" useful microflora to the baby’s gastrointestinal tract. This will help drugs - "Lactobacterin", "Bifidumbacterin" and food - "Acidophilus", "Bifidoc." Of course, this is only possible if the baby is old enough and no longer breastfeeding.
After completing the course of treatment, provide the child with proper nutrition to restore the microflora of the digestive system as quickly as possible. Be sure to include in the diet a variety of dairy products. If you do not trust the purchased products, cook yourself homemade yogurt, kefir and yogurt - this is easy, and recipes can be found on the Internet or ask your grandmothers.
During treatment and the first time after it, include more fortified foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh juices and decoctions in the child’s diet. Doctors do not recommend taking synthetic vitamins in parallel with taking antibiotics, as this can offset the effect of the drug or cause an allergic reaction. For allergic children, doctors even prescribe antiallergenic drugs.
Drug List
Now you know the theoretical part and can competently approach the choice of antibiotics. Of course, it is best to consult a doctor, but there is not always such an opportunity, so every competent parent should know the names of children's antibiotics:
- Amoxicillin. Most often, doctors prescribe to children exactly this drug from the penicillin group. It has a fairly wide spectrum of action. It is used for pneumonia, bacterial tonsillitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis, otitis media, urethritis and cystitis. It is quite cheap, the average price in the country is about one hundred and fifty rubles. In granules, it is convenient for the preparation of syrup or suspension. In this case, a children's antibiotic should be diluted with boiled water.
- "Augmentin." This name of a children's antibiotic is known to many, mainly thanks to advertising. This is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, suitable for suspension. Clavulanic acid expands the spectrum of action of the drug. Indications are similar to amoxicillin, but for children under three months of age it is not used. The drug may cause allergies. The cost is from 150 to 250 and depends on the dosage.
- Amoxiclav. The analogue of Augmentin.
- Zinacef. Refers to second generation cephalosporins. The range of action is wide. It is prescribed by doctors for pneumonia, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, cititis, tonsillitis and otitis media. Suitable for injection only! Dosage for children is from 30 to 100 mg per 1 kg of weight per day. The cost is about 130 rubles.
- Zinnat. Also second-generation cephalosporin. It is convenient for preparing a suspension.
- Sumamed. It belongs to the type of azalides. Azithromycin (active substance) has a wide spectrum of action. It is used for sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and pneumonia. For children under six months - contraindicated! Price: 230 rub.
- Suprax. This is a cifixime antibiotic related to third generation cephalosporins. It is used in the treatment of infections of the ENT organs, otitis media, infections of the genitourinary system, bronchitis. Contraindicated in children under six months of age. Price: 500 rub.
- "Flemoxin Solutab". The active substance is the amoxicillin already known to us. This antibiotic is most often used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Another name for this baby antibiotic is Flemoxin Solutab. Price: 250 rub.
- Ceftriaxone. Third generation cephalosporin. Designed for intramuscular and intravenous injection. Premature and newborn babies with jaundice have a contraindication. Price: 20 rub. per ampoule.
- "Bioparox". They are used to treat ENT infections, but do not replace the main course. These drugs can be used as prescribed by the doctor in parallel with the main course, but in no case replace it. Consult a physician before using them to treat a child.
- Isofra. Drops in the nose with an antibiotic. They are used as prescribed by the doctor, however, as a rule, in parallel with the general course. Here are other names for baby drops in the nose with an antibiotic: "Rinil", "Framinazine", "Polydex".
Is a good review important?
Why is a good review of any antibiotic not a reason to immediately treat a child with it? The fact is that everyone has their own situation.
So, "Sumamed" is considered a good antibiotic for children, because it can accumulate in the tissues, and due to this, you can reduce the duration of treatment. But if, for example, a drug is prescribed by a doctor after a diagnosis of ARVI, is it worth blaming mom for refusing to follow this appointment? If there were no complications and an incidental bacterial infection, this drug would have had no effect at all. And the competence of the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic for the treatment of conventional SARS is doubtful.
Or, for example, the doctor prescribes Augmentin, and it causes the child a severe allergy and digestive problems (this, according to doctors, is not so rare). A frustrated and worried mother is likely to write a negative review about the medicine. Therefore, instead of focusing on reviews of certain antibiotic drugs, remember the theoretical basis. Do not be afraid to ask a doctor to explain the purpose of a particular medicine, ask to show you the results of the tests. This way you will keep your baby healthy.