Intestinal dysbiosis in infants: causes, symptoms, treatment

Intestinal dysbiosis is a disease that affects people with a weak immune system, and these are just newborn babies. An imbalance among the beneficial and pathogenic microflora leads to a malfunction of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Signs noticed in time will help to quickly identify the disease and get rid of it.

How does a newborn's own microflora appear?

During the entire period of the mother's pregnancy, the future baby is in a sterile environment; during this period of development, both "bad" and "good" microorganisms are absent in his intestines. At the time of childbirth, the child first encounters a microflora that belongs to his mother, the same microflora is the first to be populated into his body.

From the moment of birth, it is actively replenished from the environment. It is not for nothing that all doctors recommend breastfeeding, since mother's milk contains a huge variety of nutrients that form favorable conditions for the development of beneficial bacteria.

The active formation of microflora occurs in the first few days of a baby's life, but not only the necessary microorganisms, but also pathogenic ones, get there. They also cause watery stools, regurgitation and colic in the first weeks of life. This is a normal reaction of the body to adapt to the environment.

The final formation occurs a month after birth. Weak and premature babies, as well as those who, for one reason or another, have received an insufficient amount of beneficial microflora, may develop dysbiosis.

The reasons leading to the development of dysbiosis in children

From a medical point of view, the disease can be divided into primary and secondary. The lack of breastfeeding, the mother's intake of hormones or antibiotics, as well as the introduction of complementary foods from artificial mixtures, before a month lead to primary dysbiosis.

Causes of secondary dysbiosis:

• congenital diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• intestinal absorption disorders;
• disturbances in the diet;
• the ingestion of parasites that kill the beneficial microflora;
• the production of digestive enzymes in small quantities;
• infectious diseases of the mother (for example, mastitis).

The most common cause of intestinal dysfunction is Staphylococcus aureus. This problem is common in hospitals and maternity hospitals, especially if the staff is not conscientious in observing sanitary standards. As a rule, not only the baby is infected, but also the mother.

Why is dysbiosis dangerous for babies?

For a long time, the disease was ignored. It was believed that it is worthwhile to wait and everything will return to normal. But on a weakened body, this may not affect for the better, and in later life, an adult may already suffer from various chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, dysbiosis, especially in a severe stage, forces the baby to refuse to eat. But it is for this category of people that it is very important to gain weight correctly and on time.

Sometimes you have to hospitalize the baby and force-feed the baby with a tube or intravenous fluids.

Due to dysbiosis, food is not sufficiently absorbed, and weight loss occurs. Constant bowel irritation can trigger the development of ulcers. With a disease, the already not yet fully developed immunity decreases, and these are excellent conditions for the development of infectious diseases.

Symptoms and severity of the disease

There are several stages in the development of dysbiosis, and each is accompanied by certain signs. For the health of the baby, it is best to see the disease at first and quickly take action to eliminate it.

I degree. Stool problems: either frequent and thin, or, on the contrary, difficult and painful. Undigested lumps in the stool may be present. After feeding, there is often a rumbling and bloating in the tummy. Appetite disappears, weight is gained in jumps, unevenly. In general, the baby's condition is satisfactory, so it is so easy not to notice and skip this stage.

II degree. Flatulence is accompanied by abdominal pain, which are cramping in nature. Lack of appetite, constipation or diarrhea. The feces have a greenish tint with a putrid odor.

III degree. All symptoms are worse. Chronic green diarrhea. The child suffers from colic, flatulence, nausea. There are many particles of undigested food in the stool. Not only is there no appetite, but also weight gain.

IV degree. The microbes in the intestines actively spread throughout the body, causing inflammation in other organs. The child is weak and lethargic, the temperature rises, nervous disorders appear, a sharp decrease in weight. The smell of rot is pronounced.

If parents are alarmed by at least some symptoms, then it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible. Treatment takes place only under the supervision of a doctor!

Diagnosis of dysbiosis in newborns

The very first method that you will be prescribed is a stool culture and coprogram analysis. All tests are collected before treatment is prescribed.

If probiotics are prescribed, then a month after the last day of admission, it is necessary to take it again to make sure it is effective.

Additional research methods:

• bacteriological analysis of stool. The percentage is revealed without taking into account the beneficial microflora;
  

  Stool seeding tank

• breath test. Allows you to find out what microorganisms live in the intestines, unlike other methods, the results will be known in a few hours;
  

  Respiratory studies are only advisable to obtain preliminary results.

• often assigned toon-consultation with a gastroenterologist.
  

  Pediatric gastroenterologist

How to collect feces for analysis?

It is necessary to adhere to a certain algorithm when collecting a chair, because this directly affects the result of the research.

It is not necessary to collect a lot, 10 g is enough. It is necessary to collect only the feces itself, without urine. If the baby pooped and pee in the diaper, then this material is not suitable. The analysis is collected only in a sterile container.

It cannot be stored, after collection it is immediately taken to the laboratory. Do not change the child's diet 3-4 days before collection.

If the baby is taking any medications, it is necessary to notify the doctor and, if possible, cancel them a day before collecting feces.

Which doctor should I go to?

If you suspect dysbiosis, you must visit the children's clinic as soon as possible and contact your local pediatrician. If you are being monitored in a private organization, then you just need to make an appointment by phone to the doctor who is taking you. If necessary, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist.

Doctor Komarovsky's recommendations

Pediatrician, conducts a program on children's health on television. Parents with various diseases of children constantly turn to him, and based on his rich experience, he gives useful recommendations. This is what Dr. Komarovsky advises in case of intestinal dysbiosis in infants.

1. Violation of the intestinal microflora is not the cause of the disease, but its consequence.
2. Remember that nutrition must be balanced in all respects.
3. Do not use antibiotics unreasonably, because they can both help and make it even worse.
4. You should not count on quick treatment, if the symptoms have gone away, and the course has not yet ended, you must continue to give drugs.
5. Remember - the main thing is to find and eliminate the cause, then the dysbiosis will pass on its own, it does not require additional medicines.

Video - Dysbacteriosis: School of Doctor Komarovsky

Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in children

If the doctor has made a diagnosis, then it is worth preparing for a long and complex treatment. In the early stages, it can be healed in a few weeks; in severe cases, it can take months.

First, bacteriophages are taken, which destroy pathogenic microflora, while beneficial microorganisms do not suffer, this is the main difference from antibiotics.

All bacteria secrete waste products - toxins and enzymes, so medications are prescribed to remove them.

Then the body is populated with beneficial microorganisms that normalize its work. For babies, prebiotics are often prescribed, as they provoke the body to produce the necessary bacteria on its own.

In addition, additional drugs may be prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of the disease (pain, flatulence, diarrhea, etc.).

Video - How to treat dysbiosis

The table shows list of popular drugs for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in infants and newborns.

Popular drugs	How to use
"Linex Baby"	Can be used from the first birthday. One sachet is diluted with water and taken 1 time per day.
"Bifiform Kid"	It is taken regardless of food intake. Babies are given 1-2 sachets up to 3 times a day. The course is at least 5 days.
"Smecta"	Used for complex treatment of diarrhea. The sachet is diluted in 50 ml of the mixture or breast milk.
"Acipol"	The contents of the capsule must be diluted with water. Take 1 capsule before meals up to 3 times a day.
"Bificol"	Consumed at least 40 minutes before meals. The powder is diluted with boiled water (1 tsp), up to 2 times a day.

The latest generation of drugs include human protein-based immunity products.

Sometimes physiotherapy can be recommended: pressure chambers, massage and laser. It is recommended to take warm baths to relieve abdominal pain.

With problems of absorption of nutrients in the intestine, hypovitaminosis often develops. Therefore, it is advisable to take folic acid and multivitamins. This applies not only to the baby, but also to the mother, because the baby with milk receives most of the necessary micro- and macroelements.

In severe stage 4, the baby is hospitalized. Since prolonged diarrhea leads to dehydration, it can be fatal for the child. In the hospital, special droppers are prescribed.

Attention! It is forbidden to use traditional medicine for babies! Only at the age of 3 years and with the permission of the pediatrician.

When are antibiotics needed and are they dangerous?

With dysbiosis, antibiotic therapy is extremely rarely prescribed, especially when it comes to infants.

It is prescribed only in very severe cases, when the resettlement of the pathogenic flora has gone through the body. But along with antibiotics, the beneficial flora also dies, so they must be taken in combination with lactobacilli (Linex, Bifiform, Acipol, etc.).

The course of treatment is a week, then tests are repeated.

The treatment regimen is prescribed only by the attending doctor. It is forbidden to buy and take antibiotics on your own!

Video - Rehabilitation after antibiotics

Prevention measures

Violation of the microflora in the intestines of infants is a disease that causes long-term harm and pain to the baby, and also requires long-term treatment, so do not forget about prevention methods.

1. It is necessary to observe the sleep and wakefulness regime.
   

   It is important to maintain a sleep and wakefulness schedule

2. Don't forget that malnutrition is the main problem.
3. Do not introduce artificial mixtures prematurely, and even more so do not try to feed "adult" food.
4. Shown are long walks in the fresh air (parks, alleys, embankments), since oxygen stimulates the intestines.
   

   Walk with your baby more often away from city roads

5. Continue breastfeeding for as long as possible.
   

   The best food for a baby is breast milk

6. A mother should also not be negligent about her health. You also need to monitor your diet.

Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis is a complex measure. First of all, it is necessary to find and eliminate the cause. If there are other gastrointestinal diseases, then do not forget about them, it is important to treat everything on time. Proper nutrition and daily routine will help to avoid illness.

All medications are presented for informational purposes, only a doctor prescribes treatment.