Pancreatitis in children: symptoms, causes, nutrition

Inflammation of the pancreas can not meetOnly in adults. This organ is also affected in children.

In its symptoms and clinical manifestations, pancreatitis in children has much in common with the same disease in adults.

Reasons for

If we talk about the causes of the disease, we can distinguish here not only malnutrition, but also other factors that can cause inflammation in the pancreas. Consider these reasons in more detail:

1. Incorrect power. In this case, there is an increase in the secretory activity of the gland with increased release of the basic pancreatic enzymes. In particular, this leads to inaccuracies in food, abuse of sharp and fatty foods, overeating, hobby fast food, chips, fizzy drinks.
2. Toxico-allergic reaction to certain foods or medicines. For example, inflammation in the pancreas can occur with sulfonamides, corticosteroids, furosemide, cytostatics, metronidazole and other medications.
3. Inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract - gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer, hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis.
4. Anomalies in the development of the gland, its excretory ducts or duodenum, which can cause a violation of the outflow of the pancreatic discharge. For example, the gland itself may have a ring-shaped or horseshoe-shaped shape, which will make it difficult to drain its secret. Blunt abdominal trauma.
5. .If the pancreas is damaged, pancreatitis in children may also develop.
6. Helminthiases. In this case, there may be a blockage in the excretory ducts( for example, ascarids).
7. Lactase insufficiency.

Classification

The following types of pancreatitis can be distinguished:

• acute;
• chronic.

The acute form of this disease in children is rare.

It is characterized by the presence of edema and inflammation in the pancreas. In the most severe cases, hemorrhage to this organ and its necrosis can be noted.

The most common in children is chronic pancreatitis. As a rule, it proceeds against a background of degenerative changes in the pancreas. This can be fibrosis of the body, sclerotic changes, as well as atrophic processes in the gland. All this leads to a change in the normal functioning and development of a chronic process.

There are also several types of pancreatitis for clinical and morphological changes in the gland:

1. Interstitial;
2. Purulent;
3. Hemorrhagic;
4. Fat pancreatic necrosis.

Following the course of a chronic process, the following are identified:

• latent;
• recurrent.

By origin:

1. Primary;
2. Secondary.

By severity of symptoms:

• is light;
• of medium gravity;
• heavy.

Separately it is necessary to say about reactive pancreatitis. It develops under the influence of the inflammatory process in the system of the digestive tract of the child. If timely and adequate treatment is conducted, then this kind is reversible. With ineffective treatment or its absence, this disease turns into a destructive process of the pancreas.

Symptoms

Speaking about the clinical manifestations of the disease, it is worth noting that the younger the child, the less pronounced his symptoms. In children, pancreatitis rarely occurs in severe form, but nevertheless, certain symptoms can be identified.

1. Pain. It can both localize in the epigastric region, and be diffused throughout the stomach. In this case, the younger the child, the more uncertain the localization of pain. In older children, it can be shrouded and given to the back and right hypochondrium.
2. Nausea. Vomiting may follow, but such symptoms are more common in older children.
3. Temperature rise. It is noted for acute pancreatitis. At the same time, the level of figures, as a rule, is not high. There is a marked increase to 37-37.5 degrees, but this does not exclude higher figures.
4. Stool disorders. Diarrhea is often observed, undigested food remains in the stool.
5. General dyspeptic disorders. The child has a decrease in appetite, flatulence. There is also general weakness, pale skin.

All of the above symptoms are characteristic of acute
pancreatitis. In a chronic process, many symptoms are less pronounced or may be absent altogether. In particular, chronic pancreatitis in children may manifest
with the following symptoms:

• pain in the epigastric region is often permanent and is noisy;
• exacerbation of the pain syndrome occurs after any errors in the diet( they can also appear after increased emotional or physical exertion);
• nausea;
• disorders of the stool - often alternating constipation with diarrhea;
• decreased appetite;
• weight reduction of the child.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose pediatric pancreatitis, a physician is required to evaluate the clinical examination data, the results of laboratory and instrumental studies.

Laboratory diagnosis involves taking blood and urine tests. Indicative will be an increase in the activity of pancreatic enzymes based on the results of a biochemical blood test. The same enzymes are also looked at by the analysis of urine. Important is the coprogram.

It is mandatory to perform ultrasound examination of the pancreas. With pancreatitis this organ will be enlarged, its contours may be uneven. There is also a heterogeneous structure of the parenchyma, densification and the presence of individual foci of necrosis. Conduction of ultrasound may in some cases reveal the cause of pancreatitis, for example, the presence of anomalies in the development of this organ, its excretory ducts, or the presence of blockage of the bile ducts.

Treatment of

Treatment of this disease depends on the cause that caused it. For example, with reactive pancreatitis, when the inflammatory process of the digestive tract is based, treatment of the underlying disease is required first, but pancreatitis is also administered.

Acute pancreatitis in children should be performed in a hospital. On the first day, a complete refusal of food is recommended, at this time only drinking water( non-carbonated) is allowed. The diet of the following days is aimed at representing the maximum rest of the pancreas.

Drug treatment is the administration of antispasmodics and analgesics. Some enzyme preparations can also be used.

Surgical treatment in children is extremely rare, since conservative treatment is most effective in most cases. To resort to surgery may be required in the presence of an abscess, cysts or phlegmon.

Food

Proper nutrition in many ways is the key to pancreatic health. If there is inflammation in this body, a certain diet is required, during which some products should be discarded. In particular,

• fried, sharp, fatty foods fall under the ban;
• smoked products;
• strong broth;
• vegetables and fruits with coarse fiber;
• confectionery;
• baking;
• fizzy drinks.

To prevent disease it is important to stick to the diet for a long period of time. The food itself should be fractional and frequent( whenever possible 6 times a day).In this case, it is desirable that the dishes were steamed and had a soft consistency. Observing all these recommendations, you can significantly reduce the burden on the pancreas and ensure its health.

Video about problems with pancreas in children