How to determine that a child has dysbacteriosis. Symptoms and treatment of dysbacteriosis in children. Medical Therapy for Children

Dysbacteriosis is an imbalance in the intestinal microflora, which is expressed by a deterioration in the child's digestion. Let's see why a child can develop dysbacteriosis, how it manifests itself, is diagnosed and treated.

The reasons

The appearance of dysbacteriosis is possible due to:

antibiotic therapy;
birth trauma;
Acute or chronic diseases of the digestive system;
Prolonged use of drugs;
Stay in environmentally unfavorable conditions;
Stress and frequent colds, as well as passive smoking;
Unbalanced nutrition, including early introduction of complementary foods;
Helminthiasis;
Viral infections.

The high incidence of microflora imbalance in young children is due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract of infants and a large number of risk factors, ranging from pregnancy complications to infectious lesions of the intestines of the baby.

Symptoms

Dysbacteriosis in children is manifested:

regurgitation;
Odor from the mouth;
vomiting;
Sleep disturbances and restless behavior in infancy;
Slow rate of weight gain in the first year of life;
Abundant stools of mushy or liquid form, with foam, greenery, whitish lumps, putrid or sour smell;
Attacks of pain a few hours after eating;
Rumbling in the abdomen and bloating;
polyhypovitaminosis;
Persistent constipation in older children;
The appearance of intestinal colic;
Feeling of fullness in the abdomen after eating;
Decreased appetite;
The appearance of thrush, frequent infectious diseases;
Eruptions on the skin.

Risk factors

In a child, the composition of the microflora can most often be disturbed due to:

Late attachment to the breast, as a result of which the child does not receive protective factors from colostrum that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Too early or very abrupt transition to feeding with mixtures, when beneficial microorganisms have not yet had time to colonize the intestines.
An unbalanced diet of a grown child, if he consumes little fiber, which is important for the vital activity of bacteria in the intestines.

Development of the disease

In healthy children, there are bacteria in the intestines, represented mainly by lactobacteria and bifidobacteria, as well as E. coli. Such bacteria make up to 97% of the total microflora in the intestine. They perform many valuable functions for the body - they remove toxins, regulate immunity, synthesize vitamins, participate in metabolic processes, stimulate peristalsis, help absorb calcium, and synthesize some amino acids.

Also, the intestinal microflora partially consists of opportunistic microbes, the number of which increases with adverse effects on the body. In addition, there is always a risk of pathogenic microorganisms entering the intestines. With dysbacteriosis, the number of bifidus and lactobacilli decreases, and the number of opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria increases.

In children, the prevalence of dysbacteriosis is primarily due to the fact that at birth their intestines are completely sterile. It is populated by microflora during childbirth, at the first breastfeeding and feeding in the first months of life. That is why feeding with mother's milk is more preferable, since such nutrition helps to populate the baby's intestines with exactly those bacteria that should live there normally.

When exposed to any factor that causes dysbacteriosis, for example, the absence of breastfeeding or long-term treatment of an infant with antibiotics, the number of bifidus and lactobacilli in the composition of the intestinal flora decreases. There are more pathogenic microorganisms, which leads to disruption of the digestive tract.

Forms of dysbacteriosis

Dysbacteriosis can be classified according to the microflora that currently prevails in the child's gastrointestinal tract, for example, candidal or staphylococcal dysbacteriosis.

Depending on the distribution, the pathology can be:

localized;
common (also called generalized).

A common form, in addition to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, can be manifested by thrush, pneumonia, tonsillitis. The latent form is manifested by a slightly reduced appetite, frequent infections and low weight compared to peers.

The course of the disease can be represented by phases of decompensation (the child's condition is worsened) and subcompensation (symptoms are moderately expressed), as well as compensation (no clinical manifestations). There is also a division of dysbacteriosis according to severity.

Stages of the disease

First stage is a latent dysbacteriosis, which is also called compensated, since the digestive function is little disturbed. The child periodically accumulates gases in the intestines, the appetite worsens. Fecal masses may have an uneven color. Often there are constipation, but they can alternate with the release of liquefied stools. The child is sometimes restless and easily excitable.
At the second stage the disease becomes subcompensated. Other symptoms join that make dysbacteriosis similar to other diseases of the digestive tract (enteritis, enterocolitis, colitis). The child may vomit, poor appetite, bloating, frequent regurgitation. The baby begins to show anxiety about 2 hours after eating. He may have trouble sleeping. The doctor may also note that the weight gain is insufficient.
Third stage considered severe. The child's condition worsens, he is lethargic, refuses to eat. Frequent manifestations of this stage are diarrhea, cramping pains in the abdomen, periodic fever, constipation. The child suffers from hypovitaminosis and anemia. There is a risk of dehydration and the development of sepsis.

The severity of dysbacteriosis

There are four degrees of severity of this pathology, depending on the results of the study and the identified composition of the microflora:

At the first degree violations in the body of the child are minor. Bifidobacteria are determined in an amount of at least 107-8. The predominant species of bacteria are anaerobes. Conditionally pathogenic flora is represented by up to two types of microorganisms, and their number does not exceed 102-4.
Second degree disorders is characterized by an increase in the number of aerobic bacteria. Their number is compared with anaerobic flora. The number of conditionally pathogenic bacteria rises to 106-7. Instead of the usual Escherichia coli, lactose-negative and hemolytic ones are determined.
Signs of the third degree is the predominance of aerobic bacteria. In the intestine, a large number of opportunistic representatives of the microflora are detected, and lacto- and bifidobacteria are sharply reduced.
About the fourth degree they say when there are no bifidobacteria in the child's digestive tract, and E. coli and lactobacilli are significantly reduced. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms with this degree of disease often show resistance to antibiotic therapy.

Diagnostics

It is possible to identify dysbacteriosis on the basis of clinical manifestations after the appointment of additional studies - coprogram, biochemical, as well as bacteriological analysis of feces.

Treatment

Therapy for dysbacteriosis, if the doctor, after analyzing and evaluating clinical manifestations, concluded that it is necessary, includes the elimination of pathological microflora and intoxication, the restoration of digestion with the help of enzymes, and the treatment of lactase deficiency if it is detected.

First of all, pay attention to the diet of a child with dysbacteriosis, as well as diet. Treatment with antibiotics is possible only after prescription by a doctor if indicated. The child may be prescribed bacteriophages and intestinal antiseptics. Great importance is given to the intake of probiotics.

At the baby

For an infant, one of the important factors in the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis is breastfeeding. If this is not possible for certain reasons, the child should be fed with an adapted formula enriched with protective factors.

Consequences of the disease

Due to dysbacteriosis, the child's immunity decreases, so the baby becomes less protected from various viral and bacterial infections. Dysbacteriosis can also affect the absorption of nutrients in the intestines, which leads to insufficient intake of mineral compounds and vitamins in the child's body.

Dysbacteriosis is a very common phenomenon for childhood, it is not a disease, but rather a state of the body that reflects recent events - antibiotics, intestinal infection, prolonged malnutrition, stress, as a result of which the number of beneficial lactobacteria and bifidobacteria in the intestines decreased and reproduction increased harmful, disease-causing. All this leads to an unpleasant clinic, a lack of vitamins, in particular, a deterioration in the condition of the skin, hair and nails. The smaller the child, the more often he has dysbacteriosis.

Neonatal period. More often, bacteriosis is encountered by infants born by caesarean section (because in the first days of life they receive a mixture, antibiotics), and children who are on.

The manifestations of dysbacteriosis in them are:

Anxiety and screams.
Bloating, which is accompanied by.
Heterogeneous stool, often liquid, with mucus, greens. The stool can be unstable in consistency - there are alternations of normal and liquid, there may be.

In children of preschool and primary school age the clinic of dysbacteriosis usually occurs in the second half of the day and is manifested by the following symptoms:

A rumbling that can be easily heard by an outsider at a distance.
Spasmodic pains over the entire surface of the abdomen, the child cannot point to a specific area of pain.
Dyspeptic phenomena: loss of appetite, belching.
Of the general symptoms: the temperature may rise intermittently to low numbers (37.0–37.2), irritability, drowsiness and insomnia, children, there may be a tendency to anemia.
Changes in the stool to liquid, the appearance of mucus, the alternation of normal and liquid stools are manifestations of more severe forms of dysbacteriosis.

In adolescent children all the same symptoms are noted, but less pronounced, they usually seek help because of the instability of the stool and general fatigue.

If untreated dysbacteriosis drags on, then symptoms of vitamin deficiency appear: red tongue, increased saliva, dry skin and visible mucous membranes. Children become lethargic and tired. May appear.

On a note! Fecal analysis may not confirm the condition of the intestine - dysbacteriosis, since the feces must be examined in a warm, fresh form. But even with the correct technique for collecting the analysis, there is a false negative result, because more often feces reflect the state of the intestinal flora in the lumen, but are not able to fully reflect the state in the intestinal wall.

Diet for dysbacteriosis

The most suitable food for an infant suffering from dysbacteriosis is mother's milk.

Infants should be strictly breastfed, if the mother has already completely interrupted breastfeeding, then the mixture should be chosen adapted. The most favorable for the intestinal microflora are Nutrilon Omneo, Frisovoy, Laktofidus, NAN with bifidobacteria, Humana, Acidophilic Baby and other mixtures with the addition of probiotics; the nucleotides added to the mixture positively affect the intestinal flora.

For children older than six months, it is necessary to use subsequent mixtures with pre-, probiotics, from 8 months - fermented milk products based on adapted milk mixtures. Cooking, introducing into complementary foods, juices.

Children who eat from the common table do not need any restrictive and rigid diet, they are recommended:

Reduce consumption, spicy and.
Prepare vegetable salads daily with the addition, be sure to eat fruits, except for grapes and pears.
It is recommended to use dietary bread and cookies with the addition of wheat. You can give crackers for tea. from bran is a substrate for the nutrition of a healthy intestinal flora.
A mandatory attribute is becoming - at least 0.5 liters per day, or it is worth doubling the amount familiar to the child. From 10 months, children can be given "live" yoghurts. For children from 1 to 1.5 years old, fermented milk products from whole milk should be used - bicillin, baby kefir, drinks based on whey. Children over 1.5 years old can additionally be offered fermented milk products with prebiotics (lactulose) and probiotics - kefir, curdled milk, yogurt.
Breakfast should consist of easily digestible. Fiber can be added to cereals and muesli. Whole grain cereals should be used and cooked with water. Oatmeal has a good enveloping effect.
You should not force the child to eat during this period - it enhances putrefactive processes, and this should not be allowed during treatment.
Preferred cooking methods are steaming, boiling, baking, you can cook healthy food in a slow cooker.

On a note! Plants that reduce the manifestations of dysbacteriosis and promote the growth of normal intestinal flora:

, lingonberries, strawberries, raspberries, currants, barberries - you can eat fresh, cook compotes, eat dried.
apricot, apple,
Horseradish, onion, radish, dill, cumin, pepper, cinnamon.

Interesting to know! In Omsk, in 15 kindergartens, children are given ice cream with the addition of lacto- and bifidobacteria, which was created by doctors from Tomsk Medical University. Ice cream is included in the diet in courses of 30 days, the main goal of the experiment is the prevention of dysbacteriosis. The study showed positive results. This bio-ice cream won first place in an international innovation competition.

Supplements for dysbacteriosis

Regardless of the degree of dysbacteriosis, all children, especially newborns, are prescribed probiotics (preparations containing live bacteria): Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Acylact, Linex, Bifiform, Bifiliz, Acipol. Acipol is allowed for children older than three months, all others are allowed from birth, the course of taking any of these probiotics is 2 weeks. Also, in severe forms of dysbacteriosis, you can consult with a pediatrician about the need to use bacterial preparations Hilak forte, lactulose, which restore intestinal cells. After taking a course of one of the drugs, it is advisable to take a stool test, check with a pediatrician to determine further actions.

The use of Smecta is fully justified.

The intestinal flora is especially well sown when the child is given infusions of medicinal plants with an effect on the gastrointestinal tract and gastroenterological herbal teas. They can be used no earlier than the age of six. Basically, the course is from 2 weeks to two months, and longer use with interruptions is possible.

And finally: in order for the treatment of dysbacteriosis to give quick and high-quality results, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of its occurrence.

The program "School of Dr. Komarovsky" tells about the treatment of dysbacteriosis in children:

Intestinal dysbacteriosis in children is a disease characterized by a failure of the healthy composition of the intestinal flora. With dysbiosis, there is a low number of healthy and a high percentage of conditionally pathogenic flora. The stomach and intestines of a healthy child are filled with millions of microbes. 90% - elements of the obligate flora (lacto-, bifidobacteria, E. coli, anaerobic propionobacteria) involved in the process of digestion of food, metabolism. The obligate flora plays a protective function, preventing the development of allergies, infectious diseases of the stomach and intestines, regulates intestinal motility, and normalizes the natural cleansing of the body. 5-10% are represented by facultative flora (conditionally pathogenic).

Staphylococci, streptococci, bacilli, fungi, fusobacteria do not cause diseases if the child's immunity is strong. Intestinal dysbacteriosis in children develops due to a weakening of the protective functions of the body, after a viral, bacterial infection, malnutrition, antibiotic therapy, and poor ecology. Dysbacteriosis in children under 2 years of age may occur due to late breastfeeding, abrupt transfer to artificial feeding, or its complete absence. Women's breast milk contains a lot of useful vitamins, microelements, which create favorable conditions for the reproduction of obligate flora bacteria. Breastfed children are much less susceptible to disruption of the intestinal microflora compared to artificial ones. Dibacteriosis in young children (3 years and younger), its features and treatment is the topic of our article.

How to recognize the disease?

Intestinal dysbacteriosis in children aged 3 years develops against the background of malnutrition, lack of regimen, congenital or acquired pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, colon and small intestine. Guys prone to allergic reactions, living in ecologically unsuitable areas, exposed to radioactive radiation, who have had intestinal infections, suffer from the disease much more often. With dysbacteriosis in children of 3 years old, symptoms of gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal infection, colitis are observed. To exclude the above diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a comprehensive examination of the child is carried out, including ultrasound of the abdominal organs, microbiological examination of feces, urine, and a clinical blood test. In advanced cases, a bacterial examination of scrapings from the colon is indicated. Scraping is taken during colonoscopy (endoscopic diagnosis of the inner surface of the colon), gastroscopy. The final diagnosis is made by a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Pay attention to the symptoms and signs of the disease in a child 3 years of age and younger:

bloating, accumulation of gases;
pain in the intestinal area;
stool disorders (diarrhea, constipation);
nausea, lack of appetite;
vomiting, frequent regurgitation in infants under one year old;
undigested pieces of food in feces;
bad breath;
putrid smell of feces in a child;
children at 2 years old do not gain weight, they can lose weight a little;
the baby becomes lethargic, weak, sleepy;
babies cry for no reason, press their arms, legs, sleep poorly. Intestinal colic interferes with eating, which leads to a sharp decrease in appetite.

The above symptoms are a reason to seek medical help. The lack of therapy for dysbacteriosis leads to a deterioration in the condition of the baby, the development of complications of the disease: iron deficiency anemia, beriberi, inflammation of the rectum (colitis), acute intestinal infection, chronic enterocolitis, sepsis. Timely therapy will protect children of different ages from the dangerous consequences of dysbacteriosis. For advice, they turn to a pediatrician, a gastroenterologist, a pediatric nutritionist.

Features of treatment in childhood

Treatment of dysbacteriosis in children involves a set of procedures aimed at:

elimination of symptoms, relief of the condition of a small patient;
normalization of intestinal motility;
improving digestion;
improving the breakdown of food, the absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract;
elimination of pain in the intestines;
stool improvement, fight against constipation, diarrhea;
improvement of appetite, elimination of vomiting.

How to treat intestinal dysbacteriosis in children of different ages? Dysbacteriosis in children is treated with the help of medications, folk remedies, and diet. Drug therapy is prescribed by a doctor on an individual basis after examining the patient, determining the stage of the disease, the characteristics of its course, the intensity of symptoms, the presence of complications, additional pathologies. The diagnosis is made after evaluating the results of a microbiological study of feces, urine, and a general blood test. The number of drugs, dosage, duration of treatment is determined by the doctor in a particular case, taking into account the risks and benefits for the baby's body.

Treatment for children includes:

taking prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics. Prebiotics are medicines that create suitable conditions for the rapid reproduction of bacteria of the obligate flora. Babies are prescribed Dufalac, Inulin, Lactulose syrup, Eubicor. Probiotics contain living organisms. Once in the intestines, they artificially increase their numbers, displacing representatives of the pathogenic flora. Effective Atsilakt, Bifidumbacterin, Narine, Bifiform. There are monocomponent, polycomponent, antagonists, combined, symbiotics. Synbiotics (not to be confused with symbiotics) are complex preparations that include pre- and probiotics (Normoflorin, Calsis, Bifilar). Such drugs normalize the composition of the intestinal microflora, alleviate the condition of the baby;
for the operational normalization of digestion, better absorption of nutrients, enzymes are prescribed (Creon, Festal). It is advisable to take choleretic drugs, hepatoprotectors. For a better outflow of bile, take Hofitol, protect the liver - Ursofalk. The need for the use of drugs is determined by the doctor. A mild degree of dysbacteriosis does not require taking the above drugs.
the complicated course of the disease in a child involves the use of bacteriophages, intestinal antiseptics, systemic antibiotics that act directly on pathogenic organisms, instantly destroying them. Babies are prescribed Nifuroxazide, Intetrix in a dosage corresponding to the age category. The intake of antibiotics is supplemented by the use of sorbents (Enterosgel, activated carbon, Smecta). Sorbents accelerate the process of evacuation of dead particles of pathogenic organisms from the gastrointestinal tract;
diet is an important component of the complex treatment of dysbiosis in children. The diet should be balanced, include products containing vitamins and microelements necessary for the body. Exclude food that causes fermentation, gas formation, irritating the gastrointestinal tract. They eat a lot of fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, acidophilus milk), lean meat, boiled vegetables, cereals. The use of bran, vegetable fiber will restore intestinal motility, resume the full cleansing of the body from feces. Don't force him to eat if the baby doesn't want to. Food eaten with appetite, albeit in small quantities, will bring more benefit;
if, as a result of microbiological examination of feces, fungi of the genus Candida are detected, antifungal drugs are prescribed;
with severe vomiting - glucose-salt solutions that prevent the development of dehydration (Regidron, Citroglucosolan);
infants under 1 year of age are advised to cancel complementary foods for the duration of treatment, with an emphasis on breastfeeding. Mom's milk will replenish the missing vitamins, nutrients, restore a healthy composition of the intestinal microflora.

In addition to the above drugs, a course of complex vitamins, immunomodulators, prokinetics (motor stimulants), drugs that fight constipation and diarrhea are prescribed. If dysbacteriosis is accompanied by an allergic reaction, antihistamines are prescribed (Fenistil, Zirtek, Claritin).

Now you know how intestinal dysbacteriosis is treated in young children. Self-medication is contraindicated. Before taking the drug, consult a pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist. A nutritionist will make the right diet that meets the requirements of the body of a particular baby.

Prevention of dysbacteriosis in children

How to prevent the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis in children? Proper balanced nutrition, walks in the fresh air, physical activity, stable emotional state, control of existing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, long-term breastfeeding is the key to health and proper functioning of the intestines. Do not take systemic antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Frequent treatment with antibacterial drugs inevitably causes dysbiosis, because medicinal substances kill not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria. Compliance with preventive measures will save the baby from the development of this unpleasant disease, which causes a lot of physical and psychological discomfort.

Education: Graduated from the Russian National Research Medical University. N.I. Pirogov, Faculty of Medicine. Took advanced training courses. Primary specialization - in coloproctology at the State Scientific Center of Coloproctology. Worked at the City Scientific and Practical Center of Coloproctology of St. Petersburg.

Work experience: Proctologist. Experience in medical practice - 25 years. Author of more than 40 medical articles. A regular participant of conferences and symposia, which highlights the problems of modern medicine.

Provides highly qualified diagnostics and treatment of many diseases: hemorrhoids, anal fissures, various diseases of the colon, successfully diagnoses neoplasms of the perianal region and rectum at early stages. He also conducts examinations of children.

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the properties and composition of the intestinal microflora. In our time, dysbacteriosis in children is a very common occurrence, and its symptoms are very diverse. The relevance of this problem is due to the fact that most of the functions of the intestinal microflora are not always easy to enumerate. But still, some of these basic functions can be named.

Dysbacteriosis in children

Functions of the intestinal microflora

Another important point is the organization of the correct daily routine for your baby. Create a favorable emotional background for him, protect him from stressful situations, quarrels and conflicts. Communicate with him gently and affectionately. In addition, in order to achieve a complete recovery, preventive therapy for dysbacteriosis must be completed by everyone around the child (father, mother, grandmother, nanny, etc.).

The first stage of treatment is the suppression of pathogenic microbes and the normalization of microflora. In case of violation of appetite, as a rule, glucose-salt solutions are used, which are recommended by doctors. In addition, it is recommended in small doses (up to three times a day) to give the child herbal decoctions that have an antiseptic effect (chamomile, sage, St.

If severe cases of dysbacteriosis are observed (bloating, discomfort, regurgitation, etc.), it is necessary to include foods in the child's diet that restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and improve its microflora. Such products include sour-milk "Bifilakt", "Lactobacterin" or antacid "Biolact", "Bifilin", etc.

There are two opposite medical opinions regarding the problem of diagnosis and treatment of dysbacteriosis. Parents choose the specialist they trust as much as possible. When a doctor says that dysbacteriosis needs to be treated, then so be it. If the doctor says that the treatment of dysbacteriosis in children is a non-existent problem, a waste of time and money, then you can trust this point of view.

If you look into the international medical directory of diseases, you will not find the diagnosis of "dysbacteriosis" in it. And even the hypochondriac literary hero from the legendary story by Jerome K. Jerome, except for childbed fever, would not have found dysbacteriosis in himself. Because a hundred years ago nothing was known about this disease. This disease is in many respects mysterious, to some extent far-fetched, warmed up by the information and commercial environment. Dysbacteriosis in children is as common as a runny nose or acute respiratory infections. This diagnosis is often made when nothing concrete can be said, and seven troubles result in one answer - dysbacteriosis. So what to do about this problem? What are the symptoms of dysbacteriosis in a child? And how are they removed?

What is dysbacteriosis and what does it lead to

A change in the qualitative and quantitative ratio of microflora is called dysbacteriosis. An imbalance in the combination of bacteria can be found in the microflora of the vagina or nasopharynx. But most often, when it comes to dysbacteriosis, it means the intestines. Normal intestinal microflora is of great importance for health. After all, it is in the intestines that microelements are absorbed, vitamins and amino acids are synthesized, gas exchange and renewal of mucosal cells occur, immunoglobulins and lactase are produced, enzyme activity increases, toxic substances are neutralized, and many other useful processes are observed. And if there is a failure in the intestinal microflora, then the work of many organs and body systems is disrupted.

What tests need to be done

An analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis is called a bacteriological culture for the intestinal microflora. The presence of pathogenic microbes in feces does not always indicate a disease and is an indication for treatment. If there are no complaints and symptoms, then dysbacteriosis in the analyzes can remain a disease only on paper. What can be seen in the form when decoding tests for dysbacteriosis?

Bifidobacteria. "Indigenous inhabitants" of the intestinal flora. They are the main neutralizers of toxins in the intestines, take part in the breakdown, digestion, absorption, synthesis and metabolism of organic substances, vitamins. Normally, they should be up to 95-99%. Normal titer of bifidobacteria in the form: 107–109. Numbers below these indicators are considered a deviation from the norm.
Lactobacillus. Normally, they should be 5% of all bacteria. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, an important enzyme lactase, normalize intestinal motility. Valid titer: 106–107. With indicators below the norm, the child may experience constipation, lactase deficiency, and allergic reactions.
Escherichia. Useful Escherichia coli. Normally, it should be 1% of all intestinal bacteria. Its role is to take oxygen from the intestine, which destroys bifidus and lactobacilli. Normal Escherichia titer in the analysis form: 107–108. If this type of E. coli is small, this may indicate the presence of worms and Giardia. If E. coli with low enzyme activity is found, this may be a sign of the onset of dysbacteriosis.
Conditionally pathogenic microflora. It is formed by numerous bacteria: staphylococci, enterococci, serrations, klebsiella, proteus, citrobacter, enterobacter, hafnia and others. Their total number in the intestinal microflora is 5%. Normal indicator: 103–106. Under certain conditions (namely, with weakened immunity, intestinal infections, chronic diseases), the number of opportunistic bacteria begins to grow, which leads to allergies, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and colic. The two most unpleasant "residents" in the intestines are Staphylococcus aureus and hemolyzing Escherichia coli. The latter should normally be absent altogether.
Mushroom Candida. An increase in their level with a decrease in the normal intestinal microflora leads to damage to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and genital organs. Normal value: 104. Candida often grows after a course of antibiotics.

If the bacterium is absent in the stool, the form will contain the abbreviation "abs" or the words "not found."

Symptoms

Signs of dysbacteriosis in children can be varied. This is due to the fact that the state of the intestinal microflora affects many organs and systems of the body.

Digestive problems. These include a number of characteristic symptoms: refusal to eat or, conversely, increased appetite, belching, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, mucus impurities in the stool, constipation, bloating, colic.
Allergic manifestations. Atopic dermatitis from birth to 4 years is often associated with disorders of the intestinal microflora, also called allergic dermatitis. When toxins and allergens begin to be absorbed through the walls of the mucosa, the body reacts with various kinds of rashes on the skin, itching, and less often with bronchial asthma.
Liver and kidney disorders. The ability of the liver to neutralize the toxins of pathogenic microflora, and the ability of the kidneys to remove them from the body is reduced when the microflora is disturbed.
Pain in the joints. They are explained by the accumulation of uric acid in the kidneys, skin, joints, tendons, as well as a violation of water-salt, hormonal metabolism in the body.
Reducing the protective properties of the body. With dysbacteriosis, the child often suffers from colds, picks up various infections and viruses. Healthy immunity begins with a healthy gut, because it is here that immunoglobulins and lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys pathogenic microbe cells, are produced.

Most often, the digestive symptoms of intestinal dysbacteriosis in children make themselves felt. They also force you to go to the doctor with complaints.

Causes of dysbacteriosis

A variety of factors influence the change in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the intestinal microflora. It is impossible to exclude the individual characteristics of the physiological and mental development of the child.

Taking antibacterial drugs

Dysbacteriosis after antibiotics is a frequent phenomenon, but not mandatory. In the treatment of various diseases of a bacterial nature, antibiotics of a wide and narrow spectrum of action are prescribed. Their task is to suppress pathogenic bacteria and microbes, to prevent their reproduction. Antibiotics effectively cope with it, but, unfortunately, beneficial bacteria also die. What is important to know?

Not all antibacterial drugs violate the intestinal microflora. For example, antibiotics of the erythromycin, oxacillin, penicillin group and other drugs do not harm the intestines. And, conversely, antibiotics of the group of chloramphenicol, ampicillin, tetracycline often lead to dysbacteriosis. "Harmless" and often used biseptol can lead to microflora disturbances after taking one or two tablets.
The more courses of antibiotics, the higher the risk of dysbacteriosis. Bacteria are highly resistant - addictive to a certain group of drugs. In this case, pathogenic bacteria do not die, but multiply with even greater force. If possible, frequent use of antibiotics should be avoided. In any case, you need to know that viral infections are not treated with antibiotics.
Do not self-medicate. The appointment of an antibacterial drug is the competence of a doctor. Sometimes even an experienced doctor thinks about which antibiotics are better to prescribe to a child so that the treatment is most effective for a particular disease and minimally harmful to health. No need to drink the same "good" antibiotics as the neighbor's child drank, or ask the pharmacist for advice at the pharmacy.
Discuss possible side effects with your pediatrician. This is important to do before starting antibiotics. To prevent dysbacteriosis, the doctor prescribes a course of probiotics - beneficial bacteria that will help restore the balance of intestinal microflora. If the baby has severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms from a long, frightening list called "side effects", you should urgently see a doctor.
What other drugs affect the intestinal microflora? The culprits of dysbacteriosis can be hormonal drugs and radiation therapy for tumors, as well as any drugs that suppress the child's immune system.

All diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastritis, gastroduodenitis, colitis, pancreatitis, ulcers and other diseases of the digestive system, operations on the digestive organs can indicate symptoms of dysbacteriosis in children. If a child is diagnosed with an acute or chronic gastrointestinal disease, then there will be microflora disturbances in most cases. We can say about the opposite effect: if there is a dysbacteriosis, then the occurrence of these diseases is very likely.

Intestinal infections

Worms

Diet

Unfortunately, eating disorders are often not perceived as a significant cause of dysbacteriosis. It is easier to see something more serious in this problem, from which you need to be treated with pills, than to pay attention to the diet. The words of the German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach would be appropriate here: "Man is what he eats." It would be nice to instill a culture of nutrition in children from childhood.

Often, dysbacteriosis in children occurs after various past diseases, even ordinary acute respiratory viral infections.. Why? You can attribute everything to the reaction of the body to the drugs that were given to the child during the illness. However, in most cases, dysbacteriosis occurs as a result of overfeeding after fasting during illness. The body needs a lot of energy and healthy foods to recover. This is correct, but you need to introduce an enriched diet gradually.
Universal children's love for sweets. A large amount of fast carbohydrates can provoke a constant fermentation process in the intestines, which leads to microflora disorders. It is absolutely impossible to ban sweets, not only doctors, but also psychologists think so. Indeed, in reality, a child can go to his grandmother, find himself at some kind of general holiday, where there will be an abundance of goodies, and then - “farewell” to the whole anti-sweet company. The result is a breakdown in digestion.
Fatty, smoked, salty and other gourmet tastes. In general, such food is not recommended for children. However, each family has its own culinary traditions. And when a child is “diagnosed” with dysbacteriosis, maybe it’s worth thinking about the principles of nutrition for the whole family?
Preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers, hormones and antibiotics in meat products. All these "goodies" lead to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including dysbacteriosis. The later the child gets acquainted with fast food, carbonated drinks, chips, crackers, the healthier it will be.
Notorious snacks. Even the most anarchistic children and their parents should have a diet. The child's digestive system needs to rest. At this time, the necessary amount of gastric juice accumulates in the stomach to digest the next portion of food. There is time for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner. And if you constantly throw cookies and rolls into the stomach in the intervals between the main meals, digestion will be in a state of "time pressure".
Thorough chewing of food. An important point for the prevention of dysbacteriosis. If the child eats quickly and absorbs food in large chunks, it does not have time to go through the process of pre-treatment with saliva. As a result, unsplit carbohydrates and starch enter directly into the stomach, which aggravates the process of digestion and leads to fermentation in the intestines.

Early introduction of complementary foods can provoke dysbacteriosis in children under one year old. Weaning foods should not be started before 6 months of age. Not always the most useful - for example, fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, meat dishes - can improve the health of the baby. These foods cause bloating, colic, and indigestion. For the formation of a healthy microflora of the baby, it is important that complementary foods are timely, gradual, and correspond to the individual characteristics of the child.

Change of water and climate

Children are the most sensitive to climate and water changes. Therefore, one should not be surprised if, on the very first day of rest, a young tourist sat on a pot with "traveler's diarrhea". Of course, the child can pick up some kind of intestinal infection. However, often the cause of microflora disturbances is poor-quality water, especially its chemical composition, humidity and ambient air temperature. The child needs more time to adapt to new conditions.

stressful situations

Dysbacteriosis is classified as a psychosomatic disorder. People say: all sores are from nerves. The emotional state of the child affects his general well-being and the work of the digestive tract. In stressful situations, the secretion of gastric juice is disrupted, which leads to insufficient absorption of food. Changes in acidity lead to a violation of the pH level, and this, in turn, entails disruptions in the intestinal microflora. This is how the psycho-emotional state affects the physiology.

Unfavorable environmental conditions

In addition to various enemy microbes and bacteria, there are xenobiotics in the surrounding space - harmful to humans and all living compounds, which upset the balance not only in the human intestine, but also in all processes of the biosphere. This includes heavy metal fumes, exhaust emissions, pesticides, household chemicals, industrial waste, etc. Children are hard to tolerate poisoning with such substances. Their doses may be insignificant, but with constant exposure they lead to serious diseases. If you look at the problem from this side, it is best to treat dysbacteriosis somewhere in the village, away from the "benefits of civilization."

Features of treatment

How to treat dysbacteriosis in a child? Although the word "treatment" is not quite suitable for dysbacteriosis, if interpreted as a consequence of some diseases, but not a disease.

Treatment in non-treatment. Philosophical approach to the medical question. Some doctors welcome him. Dysbacteriosis, like a runny nose, goes away if it is treated and if it is not treated for the same period of time. Not to treat in this case means - not to interfere with the body's self-healing. The intestinal microflora is an individual, changeable combination of bacteria that is sensitive to external influences. Sometimes efforts to cure can only do harm, because it is not known for certain how things are going for a particular child, what is his ideal version of the microflora. What is beneficial to one may be harmful to another. If the doctor decides to add some beneficial bacteria, then how to understand how much is needed? In this approach of treatment, waiting tactics may be unacceptable for anxious parents, and the child's body will not bring any harm.
Probiotic therapy. After analysis for dysbacteriosis, it will be revealed which beneficial bacteria are missing. The doctor will prescribe the intake of probiotics - live lactic bacteria that will promote the growth of healthy microflora in the intestines.
Treatment of pathogenic microflora with antibiotics. If the analysis for dysbacteriosis showed a significant predominance of staphylococcus or some other microbe, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to neutralize the pathogenic flora.
Elimination of causes. This question involves a review of many things in the life of the child and the whole family. How does the baby eat, sleep, rest? How much is there in the fresh air, is there enough physical activity or, conversely, too much? What mood is he most often in? Does he have fears, anxiety, depression? All these points relate to the prevention of dysbacteriosis. If there are no suitable conditions for failures in the microflora, then there will be no reason to treat it.

The doctor may prescribe the intake of sorbents, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, immunostimulants in order to restore the pH level, normalize intestinal motility and increase the protective functions of the body. Of course, without dietary nutrition with a complex cleansing of the body, one cannot do.

What if it's a myth...

But what if the story of dysbacteriosis is one of the medical myths? Increasingly, one hears this version from doctors. Many Russian mothers living abroad say that you can’t buy bifidus and lactobacilli in any pharmacy there. There is no concept of taking probiotics for dysbacteriosis in Europe, and they don’t talk about the violation of the microflora itself. What's the matter? Perhaps in the mentality of a Russian person: when you definitely need to treat something with something. Possibly in global commercial pharmaceutical interests.

What arguments do doctors give, saying that the information about dysbacteriosis is false? Violation of the quantitative and qualitative ratio of intestinal microflora, indeed, exists. However, research methods distort the real picture. Bifido- and lactobacilli live on the walls of the intestine. How can one judge their quantity by the feces that pass through the intestinal lumen? The entire process of digestion takes place in the stomach and small intestine, water is absorbed in the large intestine and feces are formed. Talking about digestive disorders based on fecal analysis is a manifestation of unprofessionalism.

Symptoms of dysbacteriosis in a child do not occur on their own. They are the result of various diseases, often chronic. Therefore, it is not necessary to treat dysbacteriosis, but what provoked it. Approaches to treatment can be fundamentally different, and the effectiveness of therapy depends on the cause and its duration.