Diathesis in children is not at all “reddened cheeks of a baby,” as many are accustomed to believe. This concept hides a number of pathologies. But the main thing you need to understand is that diathesis is not an independent disease. This term is used by doctors to describe a child’s tendency to certain diseases or reactions to specific stimuli. In fact, this is a hereditary feature of the body, which manifests itself at a very early age and, due to individual reasons, can develop into serious pathologies in the future.
What is diathesis?
Diathesis is a constitutional anomaly, and now this term is used more as a tribute to the domestic tradition in pediatrics. A similar concept is “hereditary predisposition.” Such signs are not described in foreign literature. There is no separate section for them in the International Classification of Diseases.
Diathesis in children is not a disease, but only a combination of various functional changes that do not always contribute to the development of any diseases. To prevent such a reaction from developing into pathology, it is necessary to monitor the child with an experienced pediatrician and comprehensive treatment of diathesis.
Causes of diathesis
Risk factors for the development of constitutional anomalies:
- chronic diseases in parents, for example, allergies;
- poor nutrition of a pregnant woman, her medication intake, illnesses during pregnancy;
- complicated course of pregnancy and childbirth;
- frequent infectious diseases in a child, taking a large number of medications;
- incorrect, unbalanced feeding.
The main causes of diathesis:
- unsynchronized maturation of the liver, kidneys, blood elements, and nervous system in the child’s body;
- disruption of the immune system;
- insufficient hormonal activity of the adrenal cortex (hypocortisolism).
Can you help your baby?
Certainly! Indeed, in this case, much more depends on you than on the doctor. So try to follow some tips:
* Protect your baby from excessive negative emotions and mental overload , since emotional lability makes it difficult for the baby to tolerate them.
* Limit the time your child spends in front of a computer monitor and watching TV shows (especially if he is addicted to “shooting games”).
* Gradually harden your baby: morning exercises, walks in the fresh air, wet rubdowns.
* It is advisable for the child to engage in physical activity (but not intense sports!).
In addition, to prevent excess intake of purines, the formation of uric acid and ketone bodies, it is important to adhere to a certain diet.
Diet
— Try to ensure that diet includes foods in sufficient quantities that prevent the formation of ketone bodies in the body. At the same time, make sure that the content of purine bases and oxalic acid in them is minimal.
These include:
* dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, cheese, sour cream)
* most vegetables and fruits: potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, apples, apricots and others
* “protected” cereals (contain starch): pearl barley, buckwheat, oatmeal
* flour products
* eggs (no more than one per day).
- Try to ensure that your baby receives a sufficient amount of alkaline drinks (especially in the afternoon): mineral water, lemon water, freshly prepared fruit juices.
— Pamper your little one and add some “yummy” things : marmalade, berries, dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots), jelly candies.
- Limit (or in severe cases eliminate) foods that are moderately rich in purine bases:
lean meats (veal, beef, turkey, rabbit, lamb)
sea fish: mackerel, flounder, haddock, salmon, cod
crayfish
river fish: carp, pike perch, pike
hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds
porcini mushroom, chanterelles, champignons.
— It is advisable that you completely exclude from your diet foods that are very rich in purines and oxalic acid, and can also increase acidosis:
strong meat and fish broths
chicken
offal (brains, kidneys, liver, tongue)
industrial canning products (if they are not marked “For baby food”)
carbonated drinks, including any other drinks that have been stored in the refrigerator for a long time
legumes (beans, soybeans)
spinach, sorrel, cauliflower, parsley, green peas, rhubarb
Symptoms of diathesis in children
In total there are more than 20 types of diathesis. They may be asymptomatic or accompanied by a variety of symptoms. All constitutional anomalies are characterized by common symptoms:
- fatigue, inability to adapt to changing environmental conditions;
- difficulties in learning, communicating with peers, social maladjustment;
- frequent colds;
- broncho-obstructive syndrome;
- skin rash;
- enlarged tonsils, adenoids;
- impaired metabolism, low weight, short stature.
Types of diathesis
The most common types of constitutional anomalies in children:
- Exudative-catarrhal diathesis
There is a tendency to swelling, inflammation, diaper rash, peeling of the skin, and damage to the mucous membranes. Frequent infections, skin rashes on the cheeks and buttocks, and unstable weight gain occur. This is a common diathesis in newborns and children in the first 3 months of life, which is detected in half of infants, but usually goes away by 3 years of age. Its variety is allergic diathesis, which can later transform into chronic atopic diseases (rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis).
- Lymphatic-hypoplastic diathesis
There is an enlargement of the lymph nodes and the thymus gland with simultaneous suppression of protective forces, and the functioning of the endocrine glands is disrupted. This is a common diathesis in infants and children under 3 years of age. As a result, the child often suffers from infectious diseases, and severe lesions can develop - sepsis, pneumonia.
- Neuro-arthritic diathesis
The child has high levels of uric acid in his blood. There is increased nervous excitability, joint pain, bouts of vomiting, and smooth muscle spasms. The age of manifestation of pathology is about 6 years.
Diathesis in adults
Diathesis in adults is a misnomer, since this condition occurs only in children. In the future, it can cause the development of various diseases:
- exudative diathesis: bronchial asthma, cholecystitis, duodenitis;
- lymphatic diathesis: bronchial asthma, nephropathy, myocardial dystrophy;
- uric acid diathesis: hypertension, urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, gout, peptic ulcer, colitis, bronchial asthma.
A separate form of pathology, not related to constitutional anomalies and occurring in children and adults, is hemorrhagic diathesis. This is a large group of diseases that are united by a tendency to bleeding and hemorrhage. They occur when there is damage to blood vessels, platelets, or disruption of the plasma component of hemostasis. Such diseases, unlike ordinary diathesis, are treated by a hematologist.
Forecast
The baby’s recovery depends on how timely treatment was started.
If all the necessary measures were taken immediately after the first signs appeared, it will not be difficult to cope with the disease, the main thing is to follow all the doctor’s recommendations regarding taking medications, following a diet and daily routine.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely cure the pathology, however, it is quite possible to eliminate its symptoms for a long time, which means returning the child to a normal and fulfilling life.
In the absence of therapy, the child experiences various complications and consequences that will accompany him into adulthood.
Treatment of diathesis
To find out how to treat diathesis in a child and how to prevent its consequences, you need to consult a pediatrician. If necessary, additional tests are prescribed and
consultations (ENT doctor, allergist, dermatologist, neurologist and others).
The basis of treatment is a hypoallergenic diet for the pregnant woman, and in the future for the child, limiting hot, spicy, fatty foods. The child is vaccinated according to an individual schedule. It requires constant careful care and attention. For lymphatic diathesis, home education up to 5–6 years of age may be recommended.
All medications are prescribed individually. These can be enzymes, antihistamines, vitamins, calcium supplements, adaptogens. For skin lesions, a non-hormonal ointment for diathesis, for example, naphthalan, can be used. Baths with infusions of chamomile, string, and bran are useful.
How to recognize atopic dermatitis in time?
Clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis - food allergies - can be as follows:
- Allergic skin lesions: the skin becomes dry, redness, rashes, peeling, cracks, weeping appear - these manifestations are localized on the skin of the cheeks, forehead, neck and scalp, and later the process is localized in the area of the extensor and flexion surfaces of the joints;
- Atopic dermatitis is often combined with gastrointestinal disorders (regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, colic, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, unstable stool), acute respiratory viral infections, obstructive syndrome, allergic rhinitis.
At the first such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Prevention of diathesis
Prevention of the development of constitutional anomalies should begin during pregnancy and continue at least during the first year of life. Main events:
- regular monitoring during pregnancy;
- prevention and treatment of gestosis, other anomalies of pregnancy and childbirth;
- proper diet and emotional peace of the expectant mother;
- early attachment of the newborn to the breast;
- breastfeeding with the correct, gradual introduction of new products;
- hypoallergenic diet of the child and mother feeding breast milk;
- use only cotton linen, wash with baby soap or special powder;
- gymnastics, massage, hardening procedures, starting from a very early age;
- compliance with all vaccination instructions;
- upon admission to kindergarten or school - a course of adaptogenic drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
Recommended regimen for using Enterosgel during exacerbation
- First of all, nursing mothers are recommended to take Enterosgel internally themselves to improve the quality of milk (1 tablespoon three times a day);
- A child under one year of age is given Enterosgel (paste) without the “sweet” label immediately before meals, before each feeding;
- For infants up to 6 months: add 2/3 of water or breast milk to 1/3 teaspoon of Enterosgel paste and give before each feeding;
- For children under one year of age Enterosgel: 1/2 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon of water, also before each feeding;
- After a year, Enterosgel is usually given simply 1-2 teaspoons three times a day, added to fruit puree;
- Locally, when it gets wet, periodically apply Enterosgel, diluted with 1/3 of the Tsindol mash, to the affected areas, and alternate this procedure with conventional local remedies.
Why should you contact the Mama Papa Ya clinic?
When a child has diathesis, it is important to pay attention to the little things - organizing nutrition, care, drawing up an individual vaccination calendar, a regime of hardening procedures, and so on. Often an examination by specialized specialists is required. The network of family clinics “Mama Papa Ya” offers medical services for the prevention and treatment of diathesis. By contacting one of our clinic branches located in Moscow or other cities, you will receive:
- consultation with a qualified pediatrician on all issues of interest;
- necessary diagnostic and treatment procedures;
- visiting all the necessary doctors in one clinic;
- possibility of observing children of different ages.
Make an appointment with a doctor by phone or on our website.
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