Reactive pancreatitis in a child occurs as a complication after an infectious disease or poisoning. It is not a disease in itself, but represents the body's response to the effects of viruses or malnutrition. Recently, the incidence of this type of pancreatitis has increased due to the fact that children began to consume more forbidden foods and food containing a large number of preservatives and other harmful substances.
Acute reactive pancreatitis
This type of pancreatitis is rare and occurs more easily than in an adult. It can be a consequence of a congenital malformation of the digestive system. As a result of the presence of an allergic reaction to this or that kind of product or medicine, the child may have pancreatic edema.
The child has frequent diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and unceasing vomiting.
Chronic reactive pancreatitis
Such pancreatitis occurs quite often due to improperly organized nutrition in childhood. It can be asymptomatic for a long time, only occasionally the child may have pain in the abdomen during the exacerbation of the disease.
The child badly eats, at it chronic locks and allergic rashes on a skin are marked.
Reactive pancreatitis in children: causes
It can occur in the following cases:
- reception of strong antibiotics (furosemide, metronidazole);
- genetically caused disorders of the structure of the pancreas;
- the presence of inflammatory processes in the ducts of the pancreas as a result of stagnation of the juice;
- malnutrition;
- abdominal trauma.
Signs of reactive pancreatitis
If the doctor diagnoses "reactive pancreatitis" in children, they may have the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain above the navel;
- nausea, vomiting;
- stool (alternating diarrhea and constipation);
- body temperature reaches a mark of 37 degrees and above;
- whitish scurf on the tongue;
- dry mouth;
- misdirected feeding of a child under one year of age : the use of grape juice, meat products before the complementary calendar, resulting in an immature pancreas can not cope with the load.
The younger the child, the less the severity of the symptoms.
In the presence of this symptomatology, a child can refuse to play, eat. To become unexpectedly capricious and irritable, listless and indifferent.
How to treat reactive pancreatitis in a child?
Reactive pancreatitis in children requires comprehensive treatment in a hospital, where the child will be provided with adequate control and bed rest.
The doctor can prescribe the use of antispasmodics to reduce spasm and as an analgesic ( no- spa, spasgon).
During the exacerbation of the disease, 10% glucose solution is injected intravenously.
In addition, the child can take antihistamines, multivitamins, pancreatic inhibitors (trasilol, countercane).
Nutrition for reactive pancreatitis
Reactive pancreatitis in children implies that they need a special diet. During the first two days the child is not allowed to eat, allowing to drink water rich in alkali (for example, Borjomi). Starting from the third day, the child is transferred to a sparing diet: cereals, sour-milk products, vegetables, boiled meat. Fresh fruit can be given only after two weeks.
It is necessary to exclude the following products from the child's diet: meat broths, vegetable broth, fried, salted, smoked food, chocolate, raw vegetables and fruits during an exacerbation.
The child needs to provide a split meal and give to eat every three to four hours. Food should be wiped for better digestion.
At the slightest suspicion of the presence of a reactive pancreatitis in a child, you should immediately seek medical help for the prompt selection of the optimal treatment.