Treatment of dysbiosis in a child

Moreover, in a healthy person, their “assortment” and quantitative ratio are more or less constant parameters that determine the so-called normal microflora.

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the normal ratio of microorganisms in the human intestine. Dysbacteriosis is detected only by microbiological examination. Its clinical equivalent is intestinal dysbiosis. There is no disease called “dysbacteriosis”.

Intestinal dysbiosis is common in young children.

About the disease

Dysbacteriosis is not a separate disease.
This is a pathological syndrome that occurs against the background of primary pathologies of internal organs or the influence of provoking factors, accompanied by an increase in the number of harmful bacteria in the baby’s intestines. Because of this, digestion worsens and the patient’s general well-being is disrupted. It is worth noting that the term “dysbiosis” appears separately in the literature. Dysbiosis is a problem caused by an imbalance of exclusively bacterial flora, when dysbiosis is a violation of the relationship between all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and sometimes viruses).

Newborns and infants are the widest risk group for intestinal microflora disorders. The reason is the immaturity of the intestines, which is gradually filled with both beneficial and harmful bacteria.

There are transient (up to 7 days after birth) and true dysbiosis (after 7 days) in a child. And therefore, in 70-80% of cases, parents should not panic. With adequate care for the baby and treatment (if necessary), the signs of internal imbalance disappear quite quickly.

Folk remedies

There are many recipes for folk remedies for the treatment of dysbiosis, but not all of them are suitable for children. For example, children may categorically refuse to use herbal infusions. For children, you can use special folk remedies with a pleasant taste. Some healthy dishes are recommended to be included in the children's menu to prevent abnormalities in the intestinal microflora and reduce immunity.

Kefir drink with dried fruits:

1. Prepare several types of dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, figs).
2. Pour hot water over the preparation (the dried fruits should swell within an hour).
3. Grind the dried fruits (you can simply cut them with a knife).
4. Pour a tablespoon of the preparation into a glass of kefir and mix the drink thoroughly.
5. For younger children, dried fruits can be crushed in a blender.
6. It is recommended to drink the drink in the morning.
7. The product not only improves the condition of the digestive system, but also improves immunity.

Elderberry and rosehip decoction:

1. Combine 100 g of rose hips and elderberries.
2. Pour the workpiece with hot water (600 ml).
3. Boil the broth for twenty minutes over low heat.
4. After filtering and cooling, the drink is ready to drink.
5. The product can only be used for children over four years of age.
6. The decoction should be consumed in small portions before main meals (three times a day).

Honey-banana paste:

1. Mash half a banana with a fork.
2. Mix the preparation with a teaspoon of honey.
3. It is recommended to use the product for breakfast.
4. The child must be excluded from an allergic reaction to honey.

Sweet paste made from seeds, figs and dried apricots:

1. Combine pumpkin, sunflower, flax seeds, chopped dried apricots and figs in equal quantities.
2. Grind the workpiece in a blender.
3. The paste can be eaten with cookies or on its own.
4. It is recommended to use this remedy before breakfast and dinner (a teaspoon).

Berry paste:

1. Crush lingonberries, raspberries and cranberries (you can chop them in a blender).
2. It is allowed to add sugar or honey to the preparation (to improve the taste).
3. The product should be consumed after breakfast and dinner (a teaspoon).

Video on the topic: Intestinal dysbiosis, symptoms and treatment in children.

Symptoms of dysbiosis

Dysbacteriosis is a problem that in 90% of cases affects the child’s intestines. Accordingly, the entire clinical picture is justified by dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract with an increase in symptoms of dyspepsia. The most common signs of bacterial imbalance are:

• foamy stool - stool acquires an unpleasant sour smell and becomes more liquid;
• abdominal pain like colic;
• constant pulling of the legs towards the tummy in order to reduce the severity of pain;
• emotional lability, moodiness, constant crying, poor sleep;
• regurgitation of air or food debris;
• vomiting (appears in severe cases);
• increased gas formation in the intestines (flatulence),
• bowel dysfunction such as constipation or diarrhea;
• various forms of allergic reactions - dermatitis, itching, skin rash.

The severity of the clinical picture largely depends on the specific pathogen that is most active in the intestine.
Symptoms are also determined by the state of the little patient’s immune system and the nature of feeding. If the above signs are detected, parents should contact their pediatrician. The doctor will be able to assess the child’s condition and rule out more serious pathologies. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe adequate treatment.

The role of nutrition in the development of dysbiosis in children

Correction of diet is the main method of treating dysbiosis. The diet for infants and older children is different. If the baby cannot eat food on his own and is breastfed, then the woman should change the diet. Potential allergens, harmful foods and foods that negatively affect the digestive processes should be excluded from the menu.

For babies who are bottle-fed, it is recommended to switch to adapted formulas (with special marks on the packaging). Frequent changes of baby food are undesirable. Children who eat their own food are prescribed a special diet.

Role of nutrition:

• poor diet is one of the main causes of dysbiosis;
• Dieting is more effective than drug therapy;
• Errors in the menu can reduce the child’s tendency to recover.

Authorized Products

The recommended menu for intestinal dysbiosis depends on the age of the child. It is necessary to prepare dishes for children using the methods of boiling, steaming or baking. All ingredients must be crushed. If a child has a food allergy, this nuance must be taken into account when preparing the diet. For example, a baby may have an intolerance to dairy products, honey, or an allergy to certain berries and fruits.

Authorized products:

• 
  The baby should receive all the products required by age as part of a complete and balanced diet. vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, beets);

• cereals (white rice, buckwheat, pearl barley);
• poultry meat (turkey, chicken;
• low-fat fish (hake, cod, perch);
• rabbit meat;
• fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese);
• sweet varieties of berries (lingonberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries);
• butter;
• compotes based on fruits and dried fruits;
• jelly from berries and fruits;
• rosehip decoction.

Products to Avoid

The menu for a child with intestinal dysbiosis should be based on the list of permitted products. Eating certain types of food can reduce the effectiveness of therapy and worsen the condition of the baby's digestive system. Fatty, fried, salty and smoked foods are strictly prohibited. You can't eat fast food. All products from the prohibited list should not be present on the menu, even in minimal quantities.

Prohibited foods: brown rice, millet; raw vegetables; sour varieties of fruit; sweet pastries; confectionery; sausages; whole milk (and cream); lamb and fatty meats; mushrooms; legumes; semi-finished products; waterfowl meat; sauerkraut; turnip; radish; mayonnaise; canned food; carbonated drinks.

Causes of dysbiosis

The pathogenetic basis for the development of dysbiosis is an imbalance between opportunistic and beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
Factors that provoke the occurrence of the corresponding problem are:

• Prematurity. In this case, the child’s intestines require more time to complete their formation and colonize with the correct microflora.
• The newborn stays too long apart from the mother. Normally, the baby is placed on the woman’s stomach immediately after birth in order to exchange “native” microflora. However, with various complications, a small patient may be taken to an incubator or intensive care unit, which does not contribute to the normal colonization of beneficial bacteria.
• Artificial feeding. Formulas can imitate mother's breast milk, but they cannot replace it 100%, which increases the risk of developing dysbiosis.
• Taking antibiotics. Antibacterial agents kill not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also beneficial ones.
• Infectious diseases. The inflammatory process is accompanied by disruption of the microflora and damage to the intestinal mucosa.
• Primary or secondary decrease in immunity (exacerbation of chronic somatic diseases).

The more factors simultaneously influence the patient’s body, the higher the chance of developing dysbiosis.

Normal intestinal microflora

About 500 species of microorganisms live in the human intestine. Most of the microflora of the large intestine consists of bifidobacteria.

Normal microflora performs very important work for the baby’s body:

• protects against dangerous (pathogenic) microbes by forming a dense film on the intestinal wall;
• participates in the production of vitamins K, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, PP, folic and pantothenic acids;
• participates in metabolism, breaks down proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber.
• takes part in the exchange of bile acids;
• produces substances that regulate intestinal function.

The microflora of the gastrointestinal tract is not constant, since it is closely related to the nature of the food taken, the person’s age, and previous diseases.

Diagnosis of dysbacteriosis

“SM-Doctor” is a modern medical center whose specialists quickly identify dysbacteriosis and any of its manifestations. Thanks to our own laboratory and the latest equipment, our doctors accurately determine the cause of the problem and select the best methods to solve it. After collecting anamnesis and a thorough analysis of the patient’s complaints, the pediatrician examines the little patient. During palpation, bloating and tenderness of the anterior abdominal wall may be noted. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional tests:

• microscopic examination of stool;
• bacteriological examination of stool;
• a set of traditional laboratory tests to assess the general level of health (blood and urine tests, “blood biochemistry”).

If the doctor believes that dysbiosis in a patient is a consequence of an exacerbation of some other disease, the child is additionally referred for consultation to related specialists (cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, infectious disease specialist, etc.).

Treatment of dysbiosis

Dysbacteriosis is a pathological condition that does not pose a critical threat to the child’s health, but can seriously worsen his well-being.
Proper care of the baby and adequate treatment contribute to the rapid normalization of the patient’s condition. For this purpose, the following methods and drugs can be used:

• Regular feeding of the child. Breast milk is optimal, and in its absence, adapted artificial formulas.
• Probiotics are drugs that help restore the normal number of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.
• Prebiotics are substances that stimulate the growth of your own colonies of beneficial bacteria.
• Sorbents. In case of serious digestive disorders, the use of enterosorbents is indicated to bind undigested food particles. They neutralize toxins found in the intestinal lumen and remove them from the body.

If you follow the doctor's recommendations, the problem can be eliminated within a few weeks. The main thing is not to ignore clinical symptoms, but to contact a pediatrician in a timely manner.

Forecast

Compliance with the diet and all the specialist’s instructions allows you to get rid of dysbacteriosis within one month. The duration of therapy can be increased if the child has complications, congenital pathologies of the digestive system or chronic gastrointestinal diseases. In the absence of adequate treatment and violation of nutritional rules, the prognosis will be unfavorable.

Dysbacteriosis can cause serious abnormalities in the digestive tract, which will reduce the baby’s quality of life.

Prevention of dysbacteriosis

The following measures help reduce the likelihood of developing dysbiosis:

• skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth;
• rational nutrition of the child - ideally breastfeeding and no supplementary feeding before the due date;
• washing hands before eating.

"SM-Doctor" is a modern medical center with wide diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. We follow the example of leading clinics in Europe and the world and do everything necessary to improve the baby’s well-being in the shortest possible time. Contact professionals at a convenient time!