Dysbacteriosis in newborns occurs quite often, since, having been born, the child is faced with many microorganisms that settle in the intestines, respiratory organs and mucous membranes.
Under adverse conditions, bacteria begin to multiply actively, provoking various intestinal diseases. Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, E. coli are able to stop this process. Imbalance in microorganisms is called dysbiosis.
Features of digestion in infants
To determine the presence of dysbiosis in newborns, it is worth understanding how the intestines should function normally. The chair of the child is not the same as that of an adult, which often scares many mothers. In addition, the baby, while it is in the womb of the mother, the stomach and intestines are completely sterile, they do not have a single bacterium.
The penetration of microorganisms occurs immediately after birth. Breast milk contains a special substance that promotes the development of bifidobacteria, which are often prescribed for dysbiosis. They help develop immunity and prevent the active growth of harmful bacteria.
The first bowel movements in a newborn is meconium. It is sticky, black and has absolutely no smell. As the milk enters the baby’s body, the stool gradually begins to lighten, acquires a mushy state and has a smell. It is worth considering that any new food can lead to a change in the smell and color of the stool.
Disease feature
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 system, namely:
- pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply actively;
- immunity worsens;
- the absorption of amino acids and vitamins is impaired;
- metabolic processes are disturbed;
- damage to the intestinal mucosa.
Very often there is transient intestinal dysbiosis in a newborn who is not considered a pathology. This is due to the primary population of pathogenic microflora. Subsequently, bacteria are gradually replaced by bifidoflora. The speed of these processes is affected by the nature of the feeding and the conditions in which the child is.
Many children in the first week of life have impaired bowel movements, which indicates the development of dysbiosis in newborns. This problem is quite complex and requires competent treatment.
Main classification
In newborns and infants, dysbiosis is divided by the degree of compensation, as well as the nature of microflora revealed during the analysis. In particular, such types of diseases are distinguished as:
- compensated;
- subcompensated;
- decompensated.
The compensated type of dysbiosis is almost asymptomatic, and the signs of imbalance are determined only in a laboratory study of feces. Subcompensated does not appear too pronounced, or exacerbation is observed periodically. Decompensated is characterized by the presence of a vivid clinical picture, and the symptoms of intestinal microflora changes are quite pronounced. This form requires comprehensive qualified treatment.
Causes of the disease
If the intestine is not timely populated with beneficial microflora, then a newborn may have dysbiosis. With breastfeeding, a similar condition is observed in case of malnutrition in a nursing mother. In older children, this problem may occur with the introduction of complementary foods.
A very common cause of dysbiosis is nosocomial infection. Its main causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus, from which no one is safe. Among other provoking factors, it is necessary to highlight:
- mother-borne illness during pregnancy;
- congenital pathologies;
- disruption of the intestines and stomach;
- the use of certain drugs;
- allergies
- surgical intervention;
- anemia
- impaired intestinal motility.
In addition, poor social conditions of keeping the child, poor environmental conditions, as well as stress can affect intestinal dysfunction.
The 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 a baby provokes a number of different disorders, in particular such as:
- decreased immunity;
- decreased iron levels;
- hypovitaminosis;
- deterioration in stool quality.
The symptoms of dysbiosis in a newborn will help determine the presence of a problem in the body. It is worth noting that the compensated type of the disease is almost asymptomatic and the child feels very well. Deviations can be detected only during laboratory tests of feces of the newborn for dysbiosis. 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 dysbiosis in newborns, such as:
- sleep disturbance;
- painful intestinal cramps;
- the baby often cries;
- rumbling in the stomach;
- gaziki accumulate;
- worried about regurgitation, and sometimes profuse vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- the child is not gaining weight;
- violation of the bowel movement.
If the first signs of the disease occur, you should immediately contact a pediatrician, who, based on the results of a laboratory study, will prescribe a comprehensive therapy. Any kind of dysbiosis must be treated, since with the slightest negative manifestations, the disease can become more active.
When you urgently need to see a doctor
The reason for contacting a doctor should be signs such as:
- severe diarrhea in the baby;
- fever and vomiting;
- rapid weight loss;
- symptoms of dehydration.
The main method of prevention is breastfeeding. It is with breast milk that a child can get all the required substances for full development.
Diagnostics
Often, dysbiosis develops as a result of a malfunction of the internal organs, which leads to the formation of pathogenic microflora. That is why at the initial stages of the violation, it is necessary to conduct an examination of other organs and systems to identify the cause of the disease. Analysis of dysbiosis in the newborn allows you to determine the enzymatic ability of the digestive system, as well as the presence of inflammation in the intestine.
Sowing feces to identify pathogenic microorganisms without taking into account their percentage to other bacteria gives the most complete picture regarding the development and course of this disease.
Sometimes it may be necessary to sow bile and urine. These studies are carried out in the most advanced cases to determine the causative agent of the disease. Sowing biopsy samples allows you to evaluate the parietal microflora.
To ensure that the result of the feces test is as accurate as possible, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules when collecting biomaterial. To do this, collect a little feces in a sterile container without urine impurities. 3 days before the test, the child should not receive any new food. If you take the medicine the day before the collection of biomaterial, it must be canceled.
Treatment features
How to treat dysbiosis in a newborn? The answer to this question will be given by a qualified doctor. Therapy must necessarily be comprehensive and involves the use of drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora, improving the quality of breastfeeding, and also suppressing 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.
The treatment of dysbiosis in newborns implies the use of 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 necessary conditions for their independent reproduction. As a result, the functioning of the digestive organs is significantly improved.
Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in newborns implies the use of bacteriophages that destroy pathogens. This will significantly reduce the number of bacteria, which contributes to a faster recovery. To do this, prescribe antibiotics, intestinal antiseptics. When choosing medicines, one must take into account that they should act only in the intestine and not be absorbed into the blood.
Among the most popular drugs that are prescribed to children in their first month of life, one can distinguish Bifiform Baby, Espumisan, 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 disease last? Forecast
The duration of the course of the disease largely depends on the symptoms and treatment of dysbiosis in newborns. The sooner you pay attention to the existing problem, the more favorable the forecast will be. It is important to eliminate the main cause of disturbances in the state of microflora. Therefore, first of all, the disease that provoked dysbiosis is treated. Therapy is mostly complex.
This violation in children of the first year of life lends itself well enough to treatment, so the prognosis for recovery is quite favorable. An insignificant malfunction in the body's work, subject to the general recommendations of the doctor, passes mainly on its own.
Possible complications
The mild form of the disease basically does not have any unpleasant consequences, however, with progression, dysbiosis can lead to dangerous health problems. Among the main complications, the following can be distinguished:
- food is not completely digested;
- inflammatory processes develop;
- pathogenic microflora affects the intestines and stomach, which leads to their irritation;
- the likelihood of other pathologies increases;
- various infections develop.
In addition, among the main complications, it is necessary to highlight the fact that the digestive organs cannot function normally and assimilate beneficial substances.
Prophylaxis
The severity of symptoms and the treatment of this pathology largely depends on the cause that provoked the imbalance of microflora. That is why an important direction of prevention is the elimination of provoking factors even before they affect the child's body. Among the main preventive measures, the following should be highlighted:
- timely diagnosis and rehabilitation of foci of infection of pregnant and lactating;
- early attachment to the chest;
- breast-feeding;
- timely introduction of complementary foods;
- ample stay in the fresh air.
At home, you can very quickly eliminate the existing violation, especially if the baby is breast-fed. It is important to massage the baby’s tummy daily, as this will get rid of the gases in the intestines. In the presence of intestinal colic, physical contact of the abdomen of the mother and child is indicated, and a warm diaper can also be applied.
The most important thing is that before the baby is born, a pregnant woman cures all vaginal diseases and follows hygiene. It is advisable to treat existing diseases before planning for pregnancy and thereby take care of the health of your child.
Feeding the baby should be done clockwise and not overfeed it. This will allow the formation of a normal intestinal microflora in children. It is worth remembering that compliance with a strict diet of a nursing mother is shown.
Menu of a lactating woman
The nutrition of a nursing mother must be balanced and have a lot of vitamins and proteins. In a daily diet, the presence of fermented milk products is important. Meat is the main source of protein, but many varieties can provoke allergies in infants. This must be taken into account so as not to cause complications.
It is recommended to cook porridge 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 can adversely affect the condition of the baby. Do not eat vegetables that increase gas formation, as this can provoke colic.
Only quail eggs in boiled form can be eaten, omelet consumption is also allowed. You can drink green tea, dried fruit compote and juices, half diluted with water.
It is worth remembering that the treatment of disorders of the intestinal microflora is very long, this condition can also cause significant harm to the physical development of the child.