home Folk remedies The pancreas is in danger: reactive pancreatitis in children. How to recognize and treat inflammation of the pancreas in a child

The pancreas is in danger: reactive pancreatitis in children. How to recognize and treat inflammation of the pancreas in a child

The pancreas is an internal organ that performs important function in the digestive system. By secreting pancreatic juice, it promotes the digestion of food. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which is necessary for the absorption of glucose. Under the influence of various factors, organ tissues can become inflamed, and a disease develops - pancreatitis. Pathological changes in the pancreas sometimes occur in adults and children.

This kind of disease is extremely dangerous. In case of absence timely diagnosis And proper treatment Against this background, multiple complications develop - abscesses, cysts, bleeding, etc. As a result, the disease leads to deformation of the pancreas, atrophy of tissue cells and complete loss functions.

Pancreatitis in a child develops due to negative impact own enzymes on the pancreas. The organ begins to digest itself, damage to tissues, ducts, and vessels occurs.

Processes can be triggered by:

congenital anomalies in organ development digestive system;
blunt abdominal trauma;
improper, unsystematic nutrition (the constant presence of sweets, fatty foods, fast food, carbonated drinks and other junk foods in the diet);
food poisoning;
pathologies of other organs, for example, the gallbladder and intestines;
infectious diseases;
allergies to foods or medications;
lactose deficiency;
reception medicines.

By medical statistics, despite the development diagnostic methods, in 20% of cases it is not possible to establish the original causes of the disease.

Types of pancreatitis and signs of its manifestation

Depending on the clinical picture of the disease in children, there are three main forms of pancreatitis:

spicy;
chronic;
reactive.

Symptoms and treatment of these forms of the disease have common features and fundamental differences. Let's take a closer look.

On initial stages Pancreatitis develops with virtually no symptoms. IN acute period different shapes manifest themselves with similar symptoms, they differ in the strength of manifestation and the danger of consequences. Parents should not make a diagnosis on their own when prescribing treatment for their child; this is unacceptable and dangerous. But adults need to know what symptoms require immediate medical attention. medical care.

Until the age of three, the signs of pancreatitis in children do not appear as clearly as at an older age. If the child is small and cannot say in words what is bothering him, the child’s behavior should be alarming. A characteristic feature becomes bloated belly, tense abdominal wall, behavior: the child is worried, cries, refuses to eat, does not want to play.

Chronic pancreatitis and its symptoms

The chronic form is characterized by a sluggish course of the disease without significant manifestation of symptoms; exacerbations periodically occur, marked by abdominal pain. A similar scenario develops when a child does not have proper nutrition: meals are chaotic, the diet contains unhealthy and heavy foods. Less commonly, chronic pancreatitis in children becomes a complication of diseases: cholecystitis, stomach ulcers and others.

Symptoms of pancreatitis in children with chronic form:

the child often feels nauseous;
after taking heavy, fatty, spicy food pain occurs in the upper abdomen;
happen frequent disorders stomach;
there is bloating;
appear allergic rashes on the body;
the child is rapidly losing weight, the skin is pale.

Children's pancreas with chronic pancreatitis instantly reacts to the slightest deviations in the diet, otherwise the form of the disease in a child manifests itself in the same way as in an adult.

Acute pancreatitis and signs of its development

Acute pancreatitis is rare in children; during the pathology, the pancreas is destroyed. The disease develops rapidly, most often the root cause is an allergic reaction to a product, medicine, or abdominal injury.

Acute pancreatitis in a child is manifested by symptoms:

strong sharp pains girdling in nature or spreading over the abdomen;
heartburn, nausea, belching are observed, frequent vomiting, after which there is no improvement in well-being;
the child has abnormal bowel movements, severe diarrhea may alternate with constipation;
blood pressure drops sharply;
Maybe slight increase body temperature;
the child complains of dry mouth, the tongue is covered with a white coating;
yellowness of the whites of the eyes and skin is observed;
V severe cases possible confusion, delirium, fainting.

Treatment algorithm

Pancreatitis is a disease that requires complex treatment. As a rule, it includes four stages.

The patient is prescribed bed rest, in the first days of exacerbation, fasting is prescribed, you are allowed to drink only warm, non-carbonated mineral water(food adaptation occurs). After fasting, therapeutic nutrition is allowed. Foods that reduce pancreatic secretion are used.
Glucose and other drugs are infused intravenously as indicated.
To eliminate pain, antispasmodics and cold application to the abdomen are prescribed.
For stimulation normal operation pancreas, antisecretory and enzyme drugs are used.

In severe cases, the attending physician prescribes antihistamines, antibiotics and other drugs. If using conservative methods It is not possible to cure pancreatitis in a child, a decision is made to perform an operation.

Features of nutrition for pancreatitis

For two weeks after the attack, the child is advised to follow special diet. After fasting, nutrition should be as gentle as possible. In the first days, buckwheat or oatmeal porridge cooked in water is allowed, then crackers, dairy products, and fruit-based jelly are added to the menu. After a certain time, it is allowed to introduce lean meat and fish into the diet.

Food should be steamed or boiled in water, ground, and served warm. Eating is allowed in small portions; in the future, the child’s meals remain fractional.

Two weeks later, the patient is still prescribed therapeutic nutrition (special therapeutic diet No. 5), prohibiting eating spicy, salty, fried, fatty, smoked, sweet, baked goods, carbonated drinks, foods with chemical dyes and additives.

In the case of acute pancreatitis in children, after completion of treatment in a hospital, the diet remains dietary (varied and balanced) for six months. In consultation with the doctor, in addition to the main treatment, medications are used ( herbal infusions and infusions).

After completing therapy in a hospital setting, the child is registered with a pediatrician for five years. During these years, hardening procedures, massage, and visiting a therapeutic and preventive sanatorium with mineral waters are useful.

Unfortunately, the described causes of pancreatitis in children often indicate a negligent attitude of parents towards the nutrition of the child, who, due to his age, eats what is offered or allowed. Correct eating habits formed from an early age become the key good health, wellness, play important role in normal mental development child.

To avoid dangerous disease, it is necessary to harden the child from an early age, not to give medications without a doctor’s prescription, to choose healthy food according to the age.

If parents notice the first signs of the disease, they should not delay going to the doctor. Children's pancreatitis can be successfully treated if they seek medical help in a timely manner, strictly follow the prescribed treatment, and continue to follow the diet.

The most serious life test of every parent is the illness of his beloved child. Doctors call pancreatitis in children one of the most insidious diseases, which is caused by an inflamed pancreas. It would seem that these are completely harmless signs - children’s complaints of pain and colic in the abdomen lead not only to malfunctions of the pancreas, but also to its complete destruction and the development of diabetes mellitus.

Causes and symptoms of pancreatitis in children

The children's pancreas can become inflamed due to irregularities in the child's nutrition. Frequently consumed fatty, fried foods, as well as spicy and smoked foods, lead to an increased release of digestive juices and can cause. The same result is achieved excessive consumption carbonated water, chips, hamburgers, which have become a favorite lately, as well as uneven meal times.

The following causes are food poisoning And long-term use medicines that have side effects leading to the development of pancreatitis in a child.

Symptoms of the disease in children can appear as a result of any viral infection, colds, injury or inflammatory process, occurring in the child’s body.

Pancreatitis in children can also be hereditary.

As a rule, the symptoms of pancreatitis in children are not as pronounced as in adults, and very often the child cannot correctly describe his condition. Therefore, the symptoms that alarm parents are:

sharp, paroxysmal pain in the abdomen (or its upper part), radiating to the back or right hypochondrium, often of a girdling nature;
loss of appetite, nausea (may be repeated vomiting);
increased gas production, diarrhea (especially in children - difficult to flush, greasy stool);
slight increase in temperature;
the child's skin becomes pale, a white coating appears on the tongue and dry mouth.

Diagnosis and classification

In children they are isolated different kinds diseases:

reactive;
acute (interstitial and destructive or pancreatic necrosis);
chronic.

The symptoms of the disease outlined above are characteristic of the first two types of pancreatitis and occur most often during the initial stage of destruction of the pancreas in children. Chronic pancreatitis is usually asymptomatic, except for infrequent periods of exacerbation, when these signs also appear.

Reactive pancreatitis is a special reaction of the body to inflammatory changes in the gastrointestinal tract.

To put correct diagnosis, in children they carry out laboratory research. First of all, this is a biochemical blood test. If found increased content digestive enzymes (for example, amylase, lipase or trypsin), then this is one of the signs of acute or reactive pancreatitis.

In addition, there is a mandatory ultrasonography. An enlarged pancreas allows you to notice its swelling (acute pancreatitis) or connective tissue, which gradually replaces pancreatic tissue (chronic pancreatitis).

When diagnosing chronic pancreatitis In children, a stool test is performed. The disease is confirmed if it is found in large quantities fat, unprocessed starch and protein fibers.

If necessary, it can be prescribed computed tomogram organs abdominal cavity.

Treatment of childhood pancreatitis

First of all, mandatory hospitalization is carried out for a child who has symptoms of pancreatitis. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, surgical intervention can usually be avoided. Traditional medicinal methods treatment. First of all, they use medications designed to relieve pain symptoms, eliminate intestinal disorders etc. For this purpose, drugs are prescribed that promote the outflow of digestive juice, analgesics, drugs that replace pancreatic enzymes (pancreatin).

Pancreatitis in children is treated comprehensively: if necessary, antibiotics, antihistamines, as well as drugs that affect microcirculation (for example, chimes) are administered.

In addition, during the first day, food fasting is carried out, and the consumption of alkaline mineral water is allowed.

Depending on the severity of the disease and the age of the child, a diet is prescribed that helps eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Children's meals should include mashed boiled vegetables (except for legumes, radishes and cabbage), a variety of cereals and omelettes. Be sure to add boiled chicken and rabbit meat and low-fat cottage cheese to your diet.

Pancreatitis in children requires careful attention to food intake. Food should consist of small portions and be taken at least six times a day.

When treating pancreatitis in children, combinatorial treatment can be very effective: on a par with classical therapy, the use of medicinal infusions. Some flowers and herbs can be used for these purposes:

fee consisting of medicinal calendula, sandy immortelle and five-lobed motherwort (three tablespoons of each herb per liter of boiling water);
crushed barberry bark (one tablespoon), boiled for 15 minutes in a glass of water;
collection of wormwood, horsetail, string, chamomile and calendula flowers, burdock and elecampane roots (one tablespoon of the collection is poured with a glass of boiled water).

In case of ineffectiveness of drug therapy, as a rule, with the development of pancreatic necrosis, surgical intervention may be prescribed.

Pancreatitis is common in children. According to statistics, in different countries from 5 to 25% of the child population has inflammation of the pancreas. This is the result of excessive activity of the organ during the growth of the child, which leads to an excess of enzymes. However, the cause of the disease may be pathologies internal organs or external factors.

Causes of childhood pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process or dystrophic changes in the pancreas, which negatively affects not only the digestive system, but also the entire body. In addition to enzymes for digesting food, the gland produces insulin, which is necessary for the absorption of glucose. Therefore, disruption of the organ’s functioning leads to diseases such as diabetes.

The cause of childhood pancreatitis can be any disease. At a young age, the pancreas reacts to any inflammation, infection or allergy.

An unbalanced diet is the most common cause of pancreatitis in schoolchildren over 9 years of age.

In more early age, up to 5 years, inflammation can be caused by a disruption in the functioning of the organ itself, when its own tissues are attacked and broken down. In a child under one year of age, the disease develops as a result congenital pathology or allergic reaction.

Common factors contributing to the occurrence of childhood pancreatitis:

pathologies of development of internal organs;
diseases of other gastrointestinal tract organs (enteritis, gastritis);
excess vitamin D;
cholelithiasis;
infection with worms;
abdominal trauma;
lactase deficiency (often found in children under 2 years of age);
food allergies;
autoimmune processes;
bacterial and viral infections(mumps, dysentery, influenza, chicken pox);
frequent use of medications;
heavy metal poisoning;
alcohol;
obesity;
diseases of the endocrine system.

Improper nutrition can also provoke the development of the disease. The main factors are:

eating junk food;
binge eating;
eating less than 3 times a day.

It is worth noting that in 30% of cases of childhood pancreatitis, its cause cannot be established. It is known that the disease can be hereditary.

Symptoms

Symptoms and treatment of childhood pancreatitis depend on the form of the disease. There are three forms in total:

acute;
chronic;
reactive.

Acute pancreatitis in children is usually diagnosed at the age of 10-12 years. But this form of pathology can also occur in a baby in the first year of life. Acute pancreatitis in a child is the result of an allergic reaction to foods or medications. How younger child, the less pronounced the clinical ones.

Acute pancreatitis in children is manifested by symptoms such as:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
stomach ache;
education white plaque on the tongue;
bloating.

In some cases, when acute course illness, the baby’s body temperature may rise to low-grade levels (below 37.5°C).

Chronic pancreatitis in children usually occurs in school age- from 6 to 17 years. The main cause of the disease is poor nutrition. Chronic childhood pancreatitis persists for life, as an irreversible replacement occurs in the pancreas normal tissue inactive. Symptoms of pancreatitis in children:

nausea and vomiting;
chronic constipation or diarrhea;
loss of appetite;
weight loss;
abdominal pain and bloating (during periods of exacerbation);
drowsiness and fatigue;
allergic rashes.

The most common form of the disease is reactive. It occurs as a result of poisoning, infection or inflammatory processes in the body. Often the cause of reactive pancreatitis is overconsumption medicines.

With reactive pancreatitis in children, the symptoms are as follows:

pain syndrome;
repeated vomiting;
bloating;
elevated body temperature.

By clinical signs this form is similar to the manifestations of acute pancreatitis.

For children, the disease poses a significant threat, as there is a risk fatal outcome. But only if the pathology is not treated, which is why it develops purulent abscess and tissue necrosis.

Diagnosis and treatment

To confirm the diagnosis, consultation with a pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist and comprehensive examination child. It includes studies such as:

general and biochemical tests blood;
coprogram;
Analysis of urine;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

With inflammation of the pancreas in general analysis blood, an increase in the level of leukocytes is visible. Blood biochemistry is necessary to determine enzyme levels. Increased level lipase, amylase and trypsin indicate the development of pancreatitis.

Amylase can be found not only in the blood, but also in the urine. And the stool coprogram reveals the remains undigested food. An ultrasound examination is necessary to assess the condition of the organ itself—an increase in size and changes in structure.

Treatment of pancreatitis in children includes drug therapy and diet. The first is aimed at removing acute symptoms and maintenance of the pancreas. For this, drugs such as:

antispasmodics and analgesics;
antisecretory agents;
antiemetic;
pancreatic enzymes.

A deficiency of the latter can occur with reactive pancreatitis. Therefore, the basis of treatment is taking medicines with their content, for example, Creon.

If it is necessary to treat pancreatitis, then it is necessary for the child to adhere to a diet. In medicine, such a diet is called table No. 5 or 5p. In the case of pancreatitis in children, treatment will be long. You must follow a strict diet for at least 6 months.

Inflammatory and infectious diseases rarely pass without leaving a trace on the body. After them, doctors often diagnose reactive pancreatitis. In children, the symptoms of this disease indicate damage to the main organ of the digestive system - the pancreas. However, abdominal discomfort, belching and heartburn do not always indicate an inflammatory process. If a child complains of pain, you should immediately call a doctor. Self-treatment may result in complications pathological process.

What do you need to know about the disease?

Pancreatitis is one of the most common. It occurs in both adults and children. The clinical picture and the nature of the pathological process determine its form - acute or chronic. This condition is very dangerous. If steps are not taken in a timely manner to eliminate the cause of the disease, you will have to follow a strict diet throughout your life.

Reactive pancreatitis in a child is somewhat different from the main form of the disease. Its development begins with As a result, the work of the organ is disrupted, and the functions assigned to it are not performed in full. Enzymes that take part in the process of breaking down food cannot pass through the inflamed ducts. They remain in the pancreas and begin to literally digest it from the inside.

Causes of the inflammatory process

Recently, reactive pancreatitis in children has been diagnosed more and more often. Doctors explain this trend by changing taste preferences of the population. Today, a child’s diet consists mainly of products that contain a large number of preservatives, dyes and flavors. These substances negatively affect the functioning of the pancreas. They provoke a spasm of the organ ducts, as a result of which enzymes do not enter the digestive tract. The inflammatory process gradually develops.

Reactive pancreatitis in a child may occur due to recent infectious diseases. For example, acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections often act as trigger mechanism pathological process. Another cause of the disease is antibiotic therapy. The use of Metronidazole or Furosemide during treatment increases the risk of developing the disease.

IN in rare cases reactive pancreatitis develops against the background congenital diseases pancreas. These include cystic fibrosis, an abnormal change in the passages duodenum. Such patients are aware of health problems from an early age, so they comply special diet and take medications. The likelihood of inflammation in their pancreas is negligible, but it still exists.

The first manifestations of the disease

The signs of reactive pancreatitis in children are practically no different from the symptoms of the disease in adults. The development of the pathological process is accompanied by severe pain. The clinical picture is complemented by nausea and stool disturbances. Attacks of diarrhea are replaced by constipation. With diarrhea, the stool is loose and feces covered with a shiny coating. Children often complain of dry mouth and extreme thirst. Appetite worsens, and some babies refuse to eat altogether.

The disease is often accompanied by symptoms of general malaise. The child becomes lethargic and apathetic, loses interest in everything that is happening. He constantly wants to sleep, and the high temperature does not allow him to do his usual activities.

The severity of the symptoms of the disease depends on the age of the patient. How older child, the stronger the symptoms of the disease appear. In newborns, abdominal pain is expressed by moodiness and intensification motor activity. Reactive pancreatitis in children younger age also accompanied severe discomfort in the navel area. However, they cannot show the exact location of the pain. Older children usually complain of severe nausea and vomiting. All of the above symptoms may serve as a basis for immediate appeal to the doctor.

First aid for an attack of pancreatitis

If symptoms of reactive pancreatitis appear, you must immediately call a team medical workers. Before help arrives, you need to carefully place the child on a sofa or bed and ensure complete rest. You can place a cold heating pad on the abdominal area. It is not recommended to give the patient analgesics or other medications, since they can lubricate the general clinical picture. Reactive pancreatitis in children, the symptoms of which often take parents by surprise, is a transient disease. Therefore, its treatment should be taken with all seriousness and responsibility.

Diagnostic methods

Before starting treatment for the disease, the young patient must undergo a full medical examination.

A complete blood count is required to count white blood cells. The amount of these elements increases with pancreatitis.
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs shows lumps in the gland, as well as other pathological changes in the organ.
A biochemical blood test allows you to assess the level of enzymes,
Using gastroscopy, the doctor can take material for cytological examination in laboratory conditions.

If tests confirm reactive pancreatitis in a child, treatment of the disease begins immediately.

Basic principles of therapy

Treatment of inflammation in the pancreas requires integrated approach. It usually involves taking medications and following a strict diet. The choice of specific medications for treatment depends on the patient’s condition and the characteristics of his body. The patient must be admitted to a hospital. During the first few days he should be given complete rest. Hospital regime during the period of exacerbation of the disease allows you not to worry about the question of what the menu should be for reactive pancreatitis in children.

Parents need to strictly adhere to the doctor’s recommendations, because he only wants the child get well soon. Therefore, all dietary restrictions cannot be considered a doctor’s whim, as many may think. If a young patient has already had an attack of reactive pancreatitis and its symptoms have appeared, adherence to a strict diet is an integral part of therapy. Otherwise, a relapse may occur.

Diet for inflammation of the pancreas

What needs to be changed in the diet if diagnosed with reactive pancreatitis? A child should not be embarrassed by a diet. He must consider her part familiar image life, because the main restrictions apply only to harmful products. This list includes fatty and spicy foods, smoked foods and fast food. It is also recommended to exclude chocolate, cocoa and other rules dietary nutrition are listed below.

It is necessary to ensure functional rest for the pancreas. First of all, all irritants must be excluded from the diet of a small patient. Boiled or steamed foods should be served crushed at room temperature.
It is important to take care of preserving energy and nutritional value diet. There is no need to feed your baby exclusively protein foods. The diet should be as varied as possible and also include carbohydrate foods.
You should eat in small portions, but often. It is recommended to remember the principles of fractional nutrition. The interval between meals should not exceed four hours.

To prevent new outbreaks of the disease, you need to constantly monitor your diet. Any experiments with food can lead to a new attack and the need to take medications.

What should be the diet for reactive pancreatitis?

Children with signs of an inflammatory process are first placed on starvation diet. For two days, patients are allowed to drink only ordinary mineral water. From the third day of treatment, the diet is supplemented with homemade crackers and tea without sugar, oatmeal on the water. Then you can turn on the jelly, dairy products, callous White bread. On the fifth day of therapy, simple vegetable broths or purees are allowed. After another five days, subject to positive dynamics, patients can eat lean meat, steam cutlets. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be introduced into the diet gradually, preferably the very last. Full list The permitted foods at each stage of the diet should be determined by the attending physician.

Treatment of reactive pancreatitis with medications

The use of medications for this disease makes it possible to stop its progression and relieve symptoms. All medications included in the standard course of therapy can be divided into two conditional groups:

Antispasmodics. This group includes “pure” medications (“No-shpa”) and drugs containing painkillers (“Analgin”, “Paracetamol”).
Enzyme agents. Their action is aimed at improving the digestion process. In this group, drugs are divided into two categories: those containing enzymes (Mezim, Pancreatin) and those containing bile (Festal, Ferestal). There is no need to abuse medications, because the body can get used to this artificial assistance. Drugs from the second group give good therapeutic effect, but their use is contraindicated in case of cholelithiasis and exacerbation of gastritis.

To strengthen therapeutic effect medications, doctors recommend additionally taking antacids. They help reduce stomach acidity, thereby increasing beneficial effect from medications.

Treatment with folk remedies

Reactive pancreatitis in a child cannot be cured without the use of medications. However, to relieve symptoms, you can resort to prescriptions. traditional healers. Before starting a course of therapy, you should consult your doctor.

One of popular products in the treatment of pancreatitis is royal jelly. It can only be used if the child is not allergic to honey. The duration of the course of therapy is 2-3 months. Then you need to take a short break for a few days. It is recommended to take royal jelly one teaspoon three times a day. It is better to slowly dissolve the sweet treat rather than swallow it whole.

You can also make homemade kvass from celandine. To prepare it you will need 3 liters of whey. If you can't find it, you can replace it plain water. The liquid must be poured into a vessel, add a teaspoon of sour cream and sugar. Pour half a glass of celandine herb into a gauze bag and place it in a jar of water or whey. You need to stir the kvass daily for two weeks. If you strictly follow the instructions provided, on the 10th day the drink should begin to foam. Take kvass for a week, a tablespoon three times a day.

Prevention measures

Parents cannot always protect their child from factors that contribute to the occurrence of reactive pancreatitis. That is why they must explain to the child the seriousness of the disease and tell them about the need to follow a special diet.

Many children have a sweet tooth. It is cakes and pastries that cause the most swipe through the pancreas. One of the measures to prevent the disease is to limit the consumption of sweets. The most common honey can act as a substitute. However, it is important not to overdo it with this delicacy. Two tablespoons is enough for the baby of this product, provided there are no allergies. Another important rule- do not overeat. The child should get up from the table with a slight feeling of hunger.

Another way to prevent the disease is timely treatment infectious and inflammatory pathologies, gastrointestinal diseases. Very often, against the background of such problems, reactive pancreatitis develops in a child. Only through competent therapy can self-destruction of the pancreas be avoided. It should be noted that any medications for treatment must be prescribed by a doctor. Independent selection of medications is strictly prohibited.

Let's sum it up

Reactive pancreatitis in children, the symptoms and treatment of which are described in this article, is considered dangerous condition. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Ignoring pathology can lead to unpleasant consequences. Among them, the most alarming is the self-destruction of the pancreas. Due to late consultation with a doctor, the child may develop diabetes mellitus in the future.

The worst thing for every parent is when a child is seriously ill. Unfortunately, not every mother knows what the most serious illnesses are the result of untreated simple diseases. For example, pancreatitis is a seemingly simple disease that involves inflammation of the pancreas. But if you do not pay attention in time and do not start treatment, the consequences can be quite serious, including the development of diabetes mellitus.

As already written above, pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. At the first stages the disease does not present itself too great danger. And if the mother consults a doctor in the first month of the development of the disease, then she can be cured in a matter of days. But the main problem The problem is that pancreatitis does not appear immediately in a child.

At first, many parents do not even suspect that their baby is sick with something. After a few weeks, slight abdominal pain may begin. But since this common occurrence For children, especially young ones, most mothers attribute them to simple colic.

Why might a child develop pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can occur due to heredity or abdominal trauma. But in most cases, these reasons do not affect the development of the disease. In 80% of children, pancreatitis occurs due to Not proper nutrition . Indeed, lately our children have been eating foods that are completely inappropriate for their age.

So, for example, at the age of one year, parents begin to give their children kebabs or spicy foods and do not think at all about whether their children can eat this? Also very dangerous products are everyone's favorite chips or soda. That is why, at least until the age of 3, you should try to protect your child from such food.

Symptoms of the disease

Acute, severe attacks of the disease in children develop quite rarely. This is usually the result of allergies to foods or medications. The most serious form of pancreatitis is purulent-necrotic disease. It is during this period that an infection gradually begins to join the main inflammation of the pancreas.

Many parents are concerned about how exactly it manifests itself acute attack diseases. So, in the upper abdomen there is a sudden strong pain, which sends to all other organs. The child does not eat well and feels sick. If all this arose at all small child, then it is very difficult to determine anything here.

Since a baby who cannot speak cannot show the place where it hurts. And absolutely infant he just starts crying very hard and bending his legs. In rare cases, this is accompanied by vomiting and high temperature. If your baby exhibits all of the above symptoms, then under no circumstances should you delay treatment.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis

All diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on laboratory tests And clinical studies. Good help provides an ultrasound examination, during which the exact type of pancreatitis can be determined. For all young children, the two most important studies are:

blood test (if the baby has acute pancreatitis, then digestive enzymes of the pancreas will be detected in the blood);
Ultrasound (with the help of it the doctor will be able to see how much the pancreas is enlarged and whether it has swelling).

Treatment methods

Children with pancreatitis are treated exclusively in a hospital. Kids are on a fairly strict diet, since any ingestion of food can cause the production of pancreatic enzymes. This diet is prescribed for a maximum of 2–3 days. During this period, you can drink water, but without gases. Doctors will suction out the stomach contents.

After the pain has been reduced at least a little, the child will be given food. The menu may include porridge with water, crackers and weakly brewed tea. After about 7 days, you can eat boiled vegetables and fish, but only with your doctor’s permission. This diet must be followed for at least 6 months.

Treatment with medications is carried out only to reduce pain and reduce toxic substances that enter the blood.

If the child has quite severe pain and nothing helps, doctors may prescribe narcotic analgesics , for example, Promedol. In normal cases, it is allowed to take Baralgin, Analgin, Tramal. Each of the drugs described above is prescribed subcutaneously, intravenously or intramuscularly. You can take pills by mouth only after the pain has subsided a little.

After the baby is introduced to food, he still needs to take medications (Creon, Mezim - Forte). After all, besides this, he will drink medications to lower pancreatic enzymes , and the food will have to be digested somehow.

In rare cases, pancreatitis becomes complicated purulent inflammations, abscesses, cysts. This is when treatment should be prescribed. antibiotics . When the disease begins to gradually recede, medication should be continued for at least another 3 months. At the same time, you need to drink them like this: drink for two weeks, take a break for one week, and so on for three months.

Diet for pancreatitis

All parents who are faced with pancreatitis in their children should know how to behave after treatment. After all, a baby who is recovering cannot do everything. For example, a special diet is required, which the child must follow. This is one of the most important components of the entire treatment as a whole. Medical nutrition for a baby with pancreatitis is similar to a diet for adults.

The main characteristic of nutrition is to ensure rest for the pancreas. This can be achieved through mechanical and heat treatment food. At the same time, it is important to maintain energy value products. And during remission, all prohibited products should continue to remain strictly prohibited.

Under no circumstances should you experiment with food during this period, as this can end very sadly. And, most importantly, remember that you don’t need to feel sorry for your baby when he asks you to give him something to eat that he is not allowed to eat. After all, in this way you will harm your already weakened body even more.

The diet for pancreatitis in a child must be strictly followed. And for this, parents need to know which foods should absolutely not be included in the diet:

marinades and smoked meats;
alcohol;
too hot seasonings;
flavor enhancers, preservatives, dyes;
fast food.

There are several foods that should not be consumed if you have chronic and acute pancreatitis, but it’s quite possible with reactive:

Diet during remission

As the child’s well-being improves, his diet will include new acceptable foods. But it is worth knowing that each dish should be introduced gradually. And if nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain suddenly occurs, you should immediately exclude it from the diet.

Fruits, juices, and vegetables also appear in the baby’s diet. Their number should not exceed permissible norm, and you can’t give them every day.

The main menu should still include porridge, dairy products, lean meat, and broths. It is not yet advisable to use whole milk for nutrition, but it is quite possible to cook porridge from it. You can also give your child sweets, but in small quantities. And remember that long periods of hunger are simply unacceptable.

Features of the diet for children under 3 years of age

In the menu of small children suffering from pancreatitis, under no circumstances should you include next products: fresh vegetables, citrus, juices. And even during the period of remission, it is recommended to grind food, because babies cannot always handle it well.

Prevention of pancreatitis

In order to reduce the risk of relapse, you need to adhere to the following simple rules:

pay attention to the condition Bladder your child. After all, the performance of the pancreas will depend on its condition. For example, every adult has stones that need to be removed from the body as soon as possible;
Like many other diseases, pancreatitis develops due to the fact that the baby’s nutrition is incorrect. Therefore, consult your doctor, make proper diet for a child. Eliminate all fatty dairy products;
The pediatrician will prescribe medications that will block enzymes; make sure that the child drinks them regularly.

When pancreatitis just begins, symptoms may not be as noticeable. But if you notice that your baby’s health has sharply deteriorated, there is vomiting and nausea, then you need to take him to the hospital as soon as possible. With this disease you cannot losenoneminutes, as this may have a negative impact on your well-being.

If you do not see a doctor on time with your child, then there is a possibility that there will be surgical intervention. While in the initial stages you can get by with just two points:

starvation diet, when only lean meat, milk, broths are allowed;
taking medications that slow down the functioning of enzymes in the pancreas.

To prevent your child from getting pancreatitis, you need to be careful about what he eats. After all, few parents think about whether what they feed their child is healthy. Give vegetables and fruits more often so that the body is always enriched with vitamins. By following proper nutrition, you can protect your little baby not only from the development of pancreatitis, but also from the appearance of many other diseases.

We recommend viewing: Dr. Komarovsky’s program on problems with the pancreas in children

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