Most often diagnosed paraproctitis in children up to a year. The disease is associated with painful symptoms and unpleasant consequences. Therefore, you can not leave it unattended. Parents should know what signs should be given priority.
Medical certificate
Paraproctitis is an inflammatory phenomenon that spreads to tissues in the rectal area. This organ is surrounded by several peculiar spaces: iliac-rectal, posterior to rectal, pelvic-rectal and submucous. An inflammatory process can occur in any of them. When an infection enters the adipose tissue localized in the rectum, it separates from healthy areas. This is the beginning of the development of the abscess. With timely treatment, inflammation can be stopped. Otherwise, the abscess is opened, a peculiar fistulous course appears. In this situation, the disease becomes chronic.
Among children, pathology most often occurs up to 6 months (70% of all cases). It is extremely rarely diagnosed in older babies. According to statistics, inflammation of the tissues around the rectum usually occurs in boys, which is associated with structural features of the genitourinary system.
Key factors
The main cause of paraproctitis in children under one year old is infection. In infants, especially those on HB, staphylococci cause inflammation. Also, pathogenic flora can penetrate the rectum in the following cases:
- neglect of hygiene when caring for a newborn;
- frequent disorders of the stool, accompanied by the formation of cracks around the anus;
- congenital diseases of the rectum;
- immunodeficiencies;
- inflammation of the rectal mucosa against the background of lactose intolerance.
Thus, paraproctitis occurs when an infection enters the body. Predisposing factors are needed to activate pathogenic flora. For example, cracks in the anus appear with poor hygiene. After washing, diapers are put on the child, and diaper rash that is left unattended appears under them.
Symptoms of the acute form of the disease
The most characteristic are the symptoms of paraproctitis in children up to a year at the acute stage of development. In this case, the parents note in the baby:
- temperature increase up to 39 degrees;
- the appearance of causeless moodiness;
- refusal of food;
- defecation is accompanied by heavy crying.
Painful discomfort in the child persists even in a sitting position. As a result, this leads to flatulence and stool retention. With a visual examination of the anus, redness of the skin, nodular neoplasms can be noticed. When pressed, the child begins to cry a lot.
Chronic form of the disease
If timely treatment of paraproctitis in children up to a year is not carried out, the abscess can spontaneously open outward or into the subcutaneous tissue. After this, the condition of the small patient usually improves: the temperature drops, the pain subsides or disappears altogether. At the same time, discharge with impurities of pus and blood may begin to come out of the anus.
Often with spontaneous opening of the abscess, a fistulous course is formed. The disease takes on a chronic form of the course. The following health problems may be consequences:
- melting by the contents of the neoplasm of the inner layer of the rectum (in the girls, the vagina may suffer);
- the spread of infection throughout the body;
- a breakthrough of the abscess in the abdominal cavity, as a result, the development of peritonitis.
Fistulas are sometimes congenital. In the acute course of paraproctitis, they increase, turn into hollow. At the same time, pronounced asymmetry of the buttocks is observed.
What should alert parents?
The first signs of paraproctitis in children up to a year appear at the end of the first day of the development of the disease. On the second or third day, possible purulent discharge from the formation or directly of the anus. Moreover, in the process of defecation, along with feces, a large amount of mucus comes out, which contributes to the healing of tissues.
The subcutaneous form of the disease is easily diagnosed by external signs. The submucosal variant is accompanied by only a slight increase in temperature, which parents often perceive for a decrease in immunity or teething. Therefore, they do not immediately seek help from a doctor. This is dangerous by the breakthrough of the abscess and the development of sepsis. In this case, the temperature rises to 40 degrees. The child's heart palpitations, vomiting appears. Emergency medical attention required. When these symptoms appear, parents should call an ambulance crew.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis of paraproctitis is carried out in 2 stages. First, the doctor studies the history of the small patient and conducts a physical examination. Suspicion of the disease may occur in the presence of swelling or pain in the area of the posterior opening.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is required. It usually includes the following activities:
- finger examination;
- sounding of the rectum;
- radiography;
- Ultrasound of the rectum;
- blood tests, urine tests.
If pus is secreted from the anus in a child, biological material is sent to the bacterium. With the help of this analysis, it is possible to establish the causative agent of the disease for prescribing antibiotic therapy subsequently.
Therapy Features
According to medical reviews, the treatment of paraproctitis in children up to a year in acute form is carried out exclusively through surgical intervention. The operation is performed on the day of the visit to the doctor, since there is a risk of infection spreading throughout the body in case of a neoplasm breakthrough inside the intestine. Intervention is performed using general anesthesia. It lasts no more than 20 minutes. If there is a fistula, the operation is carried out in 2 stages:
- The neoplasm is opened, cleaned of purulent secretion, washed and drainage is established. In order to prevent infection, small patients are prescribed antibiotics. The duration of admission is 7 days.
- When the condition of the child improves, after 3-4 days the drainage is removed. After the first bowel movement, daily baths are shown using a solution of manganese.
Within three days after the intervention, a slag-free diet is used. Additionally, physiotherapy may be prescribed individually. Usually, 2 weeks after surgery, the child is discharged. At home, treatment with restoring intestinal microflora preparations continues for some time.
The chronic form of the disease involves conservative therapy (antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory suppositories, Levomekol). If such methods are ineffective, which most often happens, surgical treatment of paraproctitis in the child is prescribed. An operation is usually performed at 1 year or even 2 years, in the absence of a clear threat, intervention is not recommended.
Tips by Dr. Komarovsky
Famous pediatrician Komarovsky believes that the only sure way to treat the disease is surgery. After the intervention, it is important to adhere to basic hygiene rules with particular responsibility. This will help prevent relapses.
In addition, with paraproctitis in children up to a year, Komarovsky advises using any glycerin suppositories to relieve stool. The doctor does not recommend self-medication, and when the first signs of the disease appear, immediately contact a pediatrician.
Prognosis for recovery
Paraproctitis in children up to a year does not belong to the category of deadly diseases. With timely detection, it can be completely cured.
If the inflammatory process was detected late or complications appeared, the duration of therapy can be increased several times. Surgery helps to stop the consequences of the disease. The outlook is even positive in this case.
An adverse outcome is possible with a chronic form of paraproctitis, an abscess break into the abdominal cavity.
Prevention Methods
In order to prevent paraproctitis in children after a year and in the first 12 months of life, it is necessary to observe basic hygiene rules and treat diseases related to intestinal dysfunction in a timely manner. If the child is prone to constipation or diarrhea, you can not leave the problem unattended. The appearance of pain during a bowel movement requires immediate medical attention.
A neglected form of the disease can cause not only unpleasant symptoms, but also surgical intervention. This is an additional stress for an immature organism.
Prevention of paraproctitis includes the following recommendations:
- Prevention of constipation and diarrhea. To do this, you need to establish nutrition and do not forget about the drinking regime.
- Compliance with personal hygiene from the first hours of a child's life. Wash the baby after each act of defecation, periodically arrange air baths. When diaper rash appears, you need to use special creams.
- Timely treatment of intestinal disorders under the guidance of a pediatrician.
- Strengthening immunity. Hardening, daily walks in the fresh air, the establishment of the correct regime of feeding and sleep - all this positively affects the work of the body's defenses.
In the photo, paraproctitis in children up to a year looks rather unpleasant. Therefore, parents themselves should examine the baby daily for redness in the anus. If specific signs of the disease appear, you should immediately contact a pediatrician.
Opinion of parents
Reviews of paraproctitis in a child up to a year from the side of parents are diverse. Most moms and dads talk about a sudden increase in temperature, followed by redness of the skin in the anus. In the process of defecation, the child constantly cried. Only a medical examination helped them understand the root cause of such symptoms.
Parents also say that only surgical intervention allowed to get rid of the disease. However, the subsequent dressings and treatment of the affected area are quite exhausting. Even after removal of the neoplasm, children may still be capricious for some time, since the rehabilitation process is often accompanied by a slight pain syndrome.