A similar question is often asked in the pediatrician's office. Concerned parents cannot understand why their child is so often sick, while they protect him in every possible way, do all the necessary vaccinations, dress their child warmly, try to avoid drafts in the house. So let's figure out what are the causes of frequent illnesses in young children.
Among those diseases from which children first of all suffer, colds, ARVI and influenza are in the lead, followed by specific children's infections and, finally, diseases of the ENT organs. More often than others, it is babies who are sick, that is, children of the first three years of life. In cities, the incidence among children is significantly higher than in rural areas due to the large crowding of people and the unfavorable environmental situation that affects the body's resistance.
Foci of chronic infections in the nasopharynx
Pediatricians know that more often than others those children who have not completely cured pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, children with anatomically enlarged tonsils, in which purulent plugs are present, are sick. Such slow-moving infectious diseases lead to general intoxication of the body, thereby undermining the immunity that has not yet been formed.
Adenoids
Nasopharyngeal tonsils adenoids often grow. First of all, they make breathing difficult, that is, children breathe through the mouth, and all kinds of infections, bypassing the nasal filter, more easily enter the body. In addition, overgrown adenoids serve as a haven for pathogenic microbes, the baby develops sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis. Often, adenoids cause allergic diseases of neurodermatitis or urticaria.
Thymus enlargement
A similar phenomenon is a violation of the child's endocrine system. The role of the thymus gland can hardly be overestimated, since it produces such bodies necessary for maintaining immunity as T-lymphocytes. The enlarged thymus gland does not work properly, as a result of which the child's immunity is reduced, and the baby is constantly sick with colds.
Birth trauma, encephalopathy
Children who have suffered a birth trauma often suffer from a violation of the connections between the parts of the brain, and this leads to metabolic disorders and, as a result, a decrease in immunity. The most common brain disorder is hypoxia, that is, a lack of oxygen. Under conditions of hypoxia, circulatory pathologies develop, which also leads to immunodeficiency states.
Stress, nervous tension
Constant stress also affects the body's resistance to infections. Frequent quarrels with parents, conflicts with peers in the kindergarten and other unfavorable factors affect the child's fragile psyche, which affects the work of the whole organism.
Imbalance in corticosteroid hormones
A symptom of this disorder is characteristic skin lesions called "dirty elbows and knees." In these areas, the baby's skin coarsens, darkens and flakes. In children suffering from a violation of the production of hormones, intestinal disorders, helminthic invasions, and giardiasis are most often observed.
Metabolic disease
An example is a violation of the salt balance, which leads to the development of cystitis and other infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.
Lack of immunoglobulin A production
Pustular lesions of the skin and mucous membranes against the background of habitual infections can serve as a similar violation. These are various rashes, conjunctivitis, allergic reactions. Similar symptoms are also observed with increased secretion of immunoglobulin E.
Long-term regular use of certain medications: antibiotics, immunosuppressants, hormonal drugs.
Tips for parents
The health of your child should be started even before he is born. If possible, the expectant mother should think about moving to a more environmentally safe region. Before pregnancy, it is necessary to give up work in hazardous production, undergo a comprehensive medical examination, and, if necessary, treat the identified diseases.
During pregnancy itself, you should avoid stress, limit, or even better, completely exclude contact with people suffering from chronic infectious diseases.
After your baby is born, try to breastfeed your baby as much as possible. Mixtures should only be used as a last resort. Mother's milk not only nourishes the baby, but also transfers antibodies to infectious diseases from the mother.
Temper your child. If hardening is carried out gradually, then the child will not have stress, and the resistance to infections will increase many times. Monitor the baby's nutrition, give him additional necessary vitamins and minerals, preferably not synthetic, but of natural origin.
