Bronchoobstructive syndrome in children

With difficulty breathing, both adults and children face. And if in adults the number of diseases accompanied by bronchial obstruction is only a few, there are many such conditions in the pediatrics, which creates certain difficulties in diagnosing this syndrome.

Bronchoobstructive syndrome is a complex of symptoms associated with violation of bronchial patency, which is caused by the narrowing of the bronchial lumen or the presence of a foreign body in them. In early childhood this condition is the greatest danger.

Bronchoobstructive syndrome, causes

At an early age (up to 3 years), most often this condition is observed against the background of respiratory infections. An important role is played by an allergic predisposition.

But there are also such diseases, accompanied by bronchial obstruction, as congenital pathologies and malformations of the bronchi, immunodeficiency states, as well as heart defects, helminths, foreign object aspiration, enlarged lymph nodes and tumors.

At the heart of the syndrome is inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, their constriction and compression, as well as blockage.

Viral infections are the most common diseases of the respiratory tract, during which not only the bronchial mucosa inflames, but also the allergic effect of toxins on the mucous membrane.

Predisposing factors

Features of the child's body, which contribute to the development of bronchial obstruction:

• Soft cartilage of bronchi;

• Comparatively narrow bronchi;

• More viscous mucus in the bronchi;

• Frequent crying;

• Being in a horizontal position due to prolonged sleep.

It is noticed that children, whose parents suffer from allergies, smoke and early transfer of babies to artificial feeding, are more likely to face bronchial obstruction.

Bronchoobstructive syndrome, clinic and diagnosis

The diagnosis is made if there are signs such as coughing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, bloated chest, boxed sound with percussion, hard breathing and dry wheezing at auscultation. The full complex of symptoms is not always met, but coughing and wheezing is enough to make a diagnosis.

The physician should conduct differential diagnosis between the syndrome of an infectious-allergic nature and an aspirational nature. If the attack began against a background of complete health, after maternal oversight and is accompanied by suffocation, it can be assumed that the child took into his mouth some object that got into the respiratory tract after inhalation.

Bronchoobstructive syndrome, treatment

In the treatment of bronchial obstruction, the timeliness of care is important, since the child's body is not able to fight the lack of oxygen for a long time.

The most effective is the use of inhalation forms of drugs for bronchial dilatation (Salbutamol, Berotek). This is due to the fact that they immediately fall into the respiratory tract, create a high concentration there and begin to act quickly. In addition, they do not enter the bloodstream and do not have a side effect.

Some groups of drugs used in children to eliminate spasms are considered ineffective. These include drugs "No-shpa" and "Papaverin." They, relaxing the muscles of the bronchi, lead to its "fatigue", which can exacerbate pulmonary insufficiency. Also, the effectiveness during bronchoobstruction of antiallergic agents has not been proven.

Doctors categorically do not recommend the following manipulations if bronchial obstructive syndrome is observed in children:

• Use of sprays;

• Long-term use of mucolytics (substances that increase the amount of sputum);

• Application of compresses, herbal inhalations, balms, mustard plasters;

• Unreasonable prescription of antibiotics.