Dysbacteriosis in newborns: symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Dysbacteriosis in newborns is quite common, because, having been born, the child is faced with many microorganisms that settle in the intestines, respiratory organs and mucous membranes.

Under unfavorable conditions, bacteria begin to multiply actively, provoking various intestinal diseases. Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, Escherichia coli are capable of stopping this process. An imbalance of microorganisms is called dysbacteriosis.

Feature of digestion in infants

To determine the presence of dysbacteriosis in newborns, it is worth understanding how the intestines should function normally. The chair of a child is not the same as that of an adult, which often scares many mothers. In addition, while the baby is in the womb, the stomach and intestines are completely sterile, there is not a single bacterium in them.

The penetration of microorganisms occurs immediately after birth. Breast milk contains a special substance that promotes the development of bifidobacteria, which are often prescribed fordysbacteriosis. They help develop immunity and prevent the active growth of harmful bacteria.

The first stool in a newborn is meconium. It is sticky, black and has absolutely no smell. As the milk enters the body of the child, the stool begins to gradually lighten, become mushy and have an odor. It is worth considering that any new food can lead to a change in the smell and color of the stool.

Feature of the disease

Dysbacteriosis in newborns is a change in the qualitative or quantitative composition of the intestinal microflora. At the same time, there is a deterioration in a number of functions of the digestive organs, namely:

• pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively multiply;
• impaired immunity;
• the absorption of amino acids and vitamins worsens;
• metabolic processes are disturbed;
• the intestinal mucosa is damaged.

Very often there is a transient intestinal dysbacteriosis in a newborn, which is not considered a pathology. This is due to the primary colonization of pathogenic microflora. Subsequently, bacteria are gradually replaced by bifidoflora. The speed of these processes is influenced by the nature of feeding and the conditions in which the child is.

Many children in the first week of life have fecal disorders, which indicates the development of dysbacteriosis in newborns. This problem is quite complex and requires competent treatment.

Main classification

In newborns and infants, dysbacteriosis is divided according to the degree of compensation, as well asthe nature of the microflora identified during the analysis. In particular, there are such types of diseases as:

• compensated;
• subcompensated;
• decompensated.

The compensated type of dysbacteriosis is practically asymptomatic, and the signs of imbalance are determined only in a laboratory study of feces. Subcompensated is manifested not too pronounced, or exacerbation is observed periodically. Decompensated is characterized by the presence of a vivid clinical picture, and the symptoms of changes in the intestinal microflora are also quite pronounced. This form requires complex qualified treatment.

Causes of disease

If the intestines are not populated with beneficial microflora in time, then dysbacteriosis may occur in the newborn. With breastfeeding, a similar condition is observed in case of malnutrition in a nursing mother. In older children, this problem may occur when complementary foods are introduced.

A very common cause of dysbacteriosis is nosocomial infection. Its main causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus, from which no one is immune. Among other provoking factors, it is necessary to highlight:

• mother's illness during pregnancy;
• congenital pathologies;
• disruption of the intestines and stomach;
• use of certain drugs;
• allergies;
• surgery;
• anemia;
• impaired intestinal motility.

In addition, poor social conditions for the child, poor environmental conditions, as well as stress can affect the disruption of the intestines.

Main symptoms

Symptoms of dysbacteriosis in a newborn are manifested in the form of an increased amount of pathogenic microflora with an insufficient number of beneficial microorganisms. This violation in the baby provokes a number of different violations, in particular such as:

• decreased immunity;
• decrease in iron levels;
• hypovitaminosis;
• deterioration in stool quality.

Determine the presence of a problem in the body will help the symptoms of dysbacteriosis in a newborn. It should be noted that the compensated type of the disease is almost asymptomatic and the child feels very well. Deviations can be detected only when conducting laboratory studies of the feces of a newborn for dysbacteriosis. The uncompensated type manifests itself quite clearly, and there are signs of an intestinal infection.

Parents should definitely pay attention to such symptoms of intestinal dysbacteriosis in newborns as:

• sleep disorder;
• painful bowel spasms;
• baby often cries;
• stomach growls;
• Gizzies accumulate;
• disturbed by regurgitation and sometimes profuse vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• baby not gaining weight;
• impaired bowel movement.

When the first signs of the disease appear, you shouldimmediately contact the pediatrician, who, based on the results of the laboratory test, will prescribe complex therapy. Any type of dysbacteriosis must be treated, since the disease can be activated at the slightest negative manifestations.

When you need to urgently see a doctor

The reason for going to the doctor should be signs such as:

• severe diarrhea in a baby;
• high fever and vomiting;
• quick weight loss;
• symptoms of dehydration.

The main method of prevention is breastfeeding. It is with mother's milk that a child can receive all the required substances for full development.

Diagnostics

Often, dysbacteriosis develops as a result of disruption of the internal organs, which leads to the formation of pathogenic microflora. That is why at the initial stages of the disorder, it is imperative to conduct an examination of other organs and systems to identify the cause of the disease. An analysis for dysbacteriosis in a newborn allows you to determine the enzymatic abilities of the digestive system, as well as the presence of inflammation in the intestine.

Culture of feces to identify pathogenic microorganisms without taking into account their percentage to other bacteria gives the most complete picture of the development and course of this disease.

Sometimes bile and urine cultures may be required. These studies are carried out in the most advanced cases to determinethe causative agent of the disease. Sowing biopsy specimens allows you to evaluate the parietal microflora.

To make the result of the study of feces as accurate as possible, it is recommended to follow certain rules when collecting biomaterial. To do this, you need to collect some feces in a sterile container without urine impurities. 3 days before the test, the child should not receive any new food. In case of taking the medicine the day before the collection of the biomaterial, it must be canceled.

Features of treatment

How to treat dysbacteriosis in a newborn? The answer to this question will be given by a qualified doctor. Therapy must necessarily be comprehensive and implies the use of drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora, improve the quality of breastfeeding, as well as suppression of pathogenic microorganisms. The dosage largely depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the age of the child, as well as the presence of concomitant pathologies.

Treatment of dysbacteriosis in newborns involves taking drugs that stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. For this, probiotics are prescribed - medicines consisting of beneficial microorganisms, as well as their metabolic products. This allows you to create all the required conditions for their independent reproduction. As a result, the functioning of the digestive organs is significantly improved.

Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in newborns involves taking bacteriophages that destroy pathogens. This will significantly reduce the number of bacteria, whichpromotes faster recovery. To do this, prescribe antibiotics, intestinal antiseptics. When choosing medicines, you need to consider that they should act only in the intestines and not be absorbed into the blood.

Among the most popular drugs that are prescribed to children in the first month of life, we can distinguish "Bifiform Baby", "Espumizan", "Lactazar", "Bifidumbacterin Forte". However, it is worth remembering that treatment should be carried out only under the strict supervision of the attending physician.

How long does the illness last? Forecast

The duration of the course of the disease largely depends on the symptoms and treatment of dysbacteriosis in newborns. The sooner you pay attention to the existing problem, the more favorable the prognosis will be. It is important to eliminate the main cause of the violation of the state of microflora. Therefore, first of all, the disease that provoked dysbacteriosis is treated. Therapy is mainly carried out complex.

This disorder in children of the first year of life responds well enough to treatment, so the prognosis for recovery is quite favorable. A minor malfunction in the body, subject to the general recommendations of the doctor, passes mostly on its own.

Possible Complications

The mild form of the disease basically does not have any unpleasant consequences, but as it progresses, dysbacteriosis can lead to dangerous he alth problems. Among the main complications are the following:

• food not fully digested;
• inflammatory processes develop;
• pathogenicmicroflora affects the intestines and stomach, which leads to their irritation;
• increases the likelihood of other pathologies;
• various infections develop.

In addition, among the main complications, it is necessary to highlight the fact that the digestive organs cannot function normally and absorb nutrients.

Prophylaxis

The severity of symptoms and the treatment of this pathology largely depend on the cause that provoked the imbalance of microflora. That is why an important area of prevention is the elimination of provoking factors even before their impact on the child's body. Among the main preventive measures, the following should be highlighted:

• timely diagnosis and sanitation of foci of infection in pregnant and lactating women;
• early breastfeeding;
• breastfeeding;
• timely introduction of complementary foods;
• enough outdoor exposure.

At home, you can very quickly eliminate the existing violation, especially if the child is breastfed. It is important to massage the baby's tummy daily, as this will get rid of gases in the intestines. In the presence of intestinal colic, bodily contact of the abdomen of the mother and child is shown, and a warm diaper can also be applied.

The most important thing is that before the birth of the baby, a pregnant woman has cured all vaginal diseases and observed hygiene. It is desirable to treat existing diseaseseven before planning pregnancy and thereby take care of the he alth of your child.

Feeding the baby should be carried out by the hour and not overfeed him. This will allow the formation of normal intestinal microflora in children. It is worth remembering that a strict diet for a nursing mother is indicated.

Menu for breastfeeding women

The nutrition of a nursing mother must be balanced and have enough vitamins and proteins. The presence of fermented milk products in the daily diet is important. Meat is the main source of protein, but many of its varieties can provoke allergies in babies. This must be taken into account so as not to cause complications.

Porridge is recommended to be boiled in milk, diluted with water. It is best to eat buckwheat or oatmeal. It is permissible to eat not all fruits and berries, as some of them may adversely affect the condition of the baby. Do not eat vegetables that increase gas formation, as this can provoke colic.

Eggs can only be eaten boiled quail eggs, scrambled eggs are also allowed. You can drink green tea, dried fruit compote and juices half diluted with water.

It is worth remembering that the treatment of a violation of the intestinal microflora is very long, and this condition can also cause significant harm to the physical development of the child.