Acute maxillary sinusitis in children. Stages of development of the disease

Sinusitis in children is a very common phenomenon. Often it appears as a result of a common cold. Against the backdrop of weakened children's immunity the infection can quite easily penetrate into the paranasal sinuses. There, it causes inflammation, which provokes the occurrence of sinusitis.

Clinical picture

By duration, several forms of the disease can be distinguished:

• acute sinusitis in children, lasting up to 3 months;
• recurrent acute sinusitis occurring 2 to 4 times a year;
• chronic sinusitis lasting more than 3 months;
• nosocomial sinusitis is a special type of disease, its symptoms develop after 48 hours of the child's stay in the hospital.

The general clinical picture of inflammation of the sinuses depends on the age of the child. With this in mind, all young patients can be conditionally divided into 3 groups:

• babies under 3 years old;
• children preschool age 4-7 years;
• schoolchildren aged 8-15.

The course of sinusitis in babies has some characteristic features. They are associated with the specifics of the child's body and incomplete development. paranasal sinuses. Since in most cases in this age group the main causes of the disease are adenoids and viral infections Sinusitis in children is usually asymptomatic. After all, subjective signs of inflammation of the sinuses in this case are difficult to identify.

At an older age, when all the sinuses are fully formed, all known forms of sinusitis are possible. In addition, polysinusitis (inflammation of several types of paranasal sinuses) and pansinusitis (inflammation of all paranasal sinuses) occur much more often. At the same time, monosinusitis (inflammation of one sinus) practically does not occur.

Quite often, sinusitis in children is accompanied by separate forms otitis media, as there is a possibility of infection spreading into the middle ear cavity.

Symptoms of sinus inflammation in children

With a disease such as sinusitis, the symptoms in children depend primarily on the nature of the inflammatory process. Parents should pay particular attention to the following:

Symptoms of sinusitis in children can vary somewhat. For example, pain may be felt in various parts heads. It is also important whether the child has an acute form of the disease or chronic. In acute sinusitis, the symptoms are more intense. When chronic inflammation symptoms get worse from time to time.

Diagnosis of sinusitis in children

Diagnosis of inflammation of the sinuses in children is quite traditional. It includes the mandatory x-ray examination. X-ray in 80-100% of cases allows you to identify the existing pathological process.

In the case of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, the nature of the disease is usually established using a therapeutic and diagnostic puncture. This procedure is very important for determining tactics. further treatment. But for patients, the puncture still remains an unattractive event.

If sinusitis is suspected, which is non-inflammatory in nature (with a curvature of the septum, a cyst and other neoplasms), as a rule, computed tomography is performed. But The most informative method for diagnosing sinusitis is endoscopic examination. nasal cavity. Although not every ENT room has the necessary equipment to carry out this procedure.

In addition to all this, great importance is given to clinical analysis blood, which shows inflammatory changes in the body.

It should be understood that attempts to self-diagnose sinusitis in children will only lead to a waste of time. And this can cause the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

Not every parent knows how to treat sinusitis in children so that the therapy quickly improves the child's condition and does not cause any complications. Therefore, it is better to contact a specialist who will prescribe the correct treatment. At the same time, it is extremely important not to miss the first symptoms of inflammation, and to completely get rid of the disease.

In general, the treatment of rhinosinusitis in children is traditional. Therapy includes:

• antibacterial drugs;
• vasoconstrictors;
• antihistamine medicines;
• physiotherapy.

In addition, according to indications, washing by the method of moving fluid or puncture of the maxillary sinuses is possible. You can also contact alternative medicine(folk methods, heating, massage, etc.).

Inflammation of the sinuses can occur due to carious teeth. In this case, rhinosinusitis in children has almost the same symptoms as those of viral sinusitis. But treatment should begin with the elimination of the source of the disease and only then get rid of the signs of inflammation.

Antibacterial drugs

IN ideal case antibiotic therapy sinusitis based on results microbiological research pathogen. At the same time, its sensitivity to antibiotics is also revealed. But in most cases, unfortunately, treatment begins without receiving tests, since their results can usually be found out on the 5th-7th day.

But in case of general intoxication, copious amounts pathogenic secretions, acute purulent sinusitis with severe symptoms antibiotic therapy should be started immediately. Also required surgical treatment sinusitis in children of a very young age - up to 5 years, since they have complications much faster.

That is why doctors, at their own peril and risk, may prescribe pills without test results. But after receiving additional information about the disease, the treatment is necessarily corrected.

Antibiotic choice

The selection of antibacterial drugs is based on knowledge of the typical pathogens of sinusitis and the epidemiological situation. The most commonly prescribed drugs a wide range actions of the penicillin group:

• Ampicillin;
• Amoxiclav;
• Augmentin (in the form of syrup);
• Flemoxin Solutab (in the form of soluble tablets).

It is also possible to use drugs of a number of tetracyclines:

• doxycycline;
• Unidox Solutab.

But the use of such drugs in pediatrics is limited. They should not be given to children under 10 years of age.

The last group of medicines that are often prescribed to children with sinusitis are macrolides. Among them, Clarithromycin can be distinguished. Except antibacterial action it also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This gives an additional positive effect during treatment.

Vasoconstrictors

With the diagnosis of rhinosinusitis, treatment in children is based on the removal of mucosal edema in the nasal cavity. For this, special vasoconstrictor drugs are used, such as:

• Sanorin;
• Naphthyzin;
• Galazolin;
• Nazivin and others.

These medicines make breathing easier. However, this effect is rather short-lived. However, the frequent use similar drugs within 5-7 days can be addictive, as a result of which it will not give the expected result. Therefore, you need to take them in accordance with the prescription.

By purchasing vasoconstrictor drugs, it is better to give preference to means in the form of sprays and aerosols. They are evenly distributed over the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. This allows for a more pronounced therapeutic effect. But you can also buy drops.

To obtain the proper result from taking vasoconstrictor drugs, instillation must be carried out correctly - lying on your side. In this case, the medicine should fall on the wall of the nasal passage.

After use vasoconstrictors apply various medicinal substances, which help to cope with inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. As a rule, this antiseptic drops(Kollargol, Protargol), infusions medicinal herbs(decoction of oak bark), as well as local antibacterial drugs (Bioparox).

Alternative medicine

The treatment of sinusitis in children is not the case when you can get carried away with ways traditional medicine. The use of beet or carrot juice is best left to cure a mild cold or common cold. Herbal medicine methods are also not very effective as a treatment for inflammation of the sinuses. After all, it is not uncommon that herbal infusions dropped into the baby's nose aggravated the situation, caused an allergy instead of improving the condition.

Moreover, it is not worthwhile with sinusitis without consulting a specialist to warm up the sinuses and rinse the nasal cavity. An incorrectly performed flushing procedure can result in injury. An exception is the instillation of solutions based on sea salt. Heating can be done only with forms of sinusitis, when there are no purulent discharges. In other cases this event can only exacerbate the inflammatory process.

However, for example, inhalation to a child can be done. But they should be carried out no earlier than the 5th day of illness, and on condition that the runny nose has not stopped. For this procedure, the following composition has proven itself well: calendula and chamomile flowers, sage leaves. These components must be filled hot water bring the solution to a boil and remove from heat. Then the child needs to breathe the resulting therapeutic fumes.

Homeopathy also shows good results. And since the preparations of this group are based on natural substances, they practically do not give side effects. In the same time, homeopathic remedies amplify protective properties organism, which plays an important role in the treatment of the child.

In chronic sinusitis, special breathing exercises and facial massage. This improves blood circulation and reduces the symptoms of sinus inflammation.

With a disease such as sinusitis, treatment in children under any circumstances should be under the supervision of a physician. Moreover, you should know that the chronic form of sinusitis is treated much more expensive and more difficult. Therefore, in order to prevent complications, it is necessary to carefully monitor the manifestation of any signs of inflammation of the sinuses and, of course, do not self-medicate.

Runny nose is the most common ailment that occurs in both adults and babies. But there are situations when shortness of breath and nasal congestion are symptoms of sinusitis in children.

Often parents write off mucus discharge as a common cold. In most cases, this is true. But every mother needs to know how to distinguish mild rhinitis from a serious illness.

1. Prolonged runny nose. If it does not go away within 14-21 days, you should be alert and consult an otolaryngologist.
2. Greenish-yellow discharge. They say that pus began to accumulate. Occasionally, blood streaks may be present.
3. Labored breathing. It is difficult for the baby to breathe in and out. During sleep, the patient feels discomfort, he wakes up from the fact that he breathes through his mouth. Snoring appears.
4. Headache. She often appears at the end of the day.
5. Pain in the nose. Pressure on the bridge of the nose causes the child discomfort. Sometimes there is discomfort during chewing.
6. Heat. It can reach 39. Appear feverish state, delirium, confusion.
7. Fatigue. As well as lethargy and apathy. A sick baby may feel overwhelmed in the morning. The nose breathes badly, there is not enough oxygen. Add to this sleepless night and you get a typical portrait of a child with acute sinusitis.
8. Night cough. It occurs due to the dryness of the irritated nasopharynx, devoid of healthy moisture. Also, the causes of coughing are the flow of mucus into the larynx.
9. Loss of smell. The patient ceases to smell. For the same reason, appetite decreases.
10. Swelling of the face. The eyelids and cheeks of the child swell. Eyes begin to water.

The condition of the sinuses is normal and with sinusitis

The severity of symptoms depends on the phase and type of the disease.

What is the danger of sinusitis in a child?

Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses brings severe discomfort. Causes of the disease: virus, infection, hypothermia or allergy. Babies can't blow their nose. Therefore, you need to remove mucus using aspirators. If this is not done, the selection will stagnate. This is how sinusitis occurs in children under one year old.

The formation of the paranasal sinuses in crumbs up to three years has not yet been completed. Therefore, viral infections that get there do not penetrate into all parts of the nasopharynx. Sinusitis in children of this age occurs without obvious symptoms.

In preschoolers between four and seven years old, the sinuses are already developed, so viral infections can lead to complications. Sometimes otitis media develops, as the nasopharynx and the middle ear area interact with each other.

Sometimes the peanut manages to push in the nose foreign object, most often small details of the designer or small toys. This causes inflammation, the acute period of the disease begins.

Acute sinusitis

Sanorin drops accelerate the release of a purulent flow of mucus from the sinuses

How to treat this disease in order to avoid complications? If you notice signs that indicate inflammation, you should contact a specialist. He must diagnose and prescribe therapy for the child. A general blood test is taken. Sometimes you can not do without x-rays and computed tomography.

Acute sinusitis is accompanied by obvious symptoms that are hard to miss.

An experienced doctor sets goals for himself:

• Remove nasal congestion. For this, the necessary drops are prescribed, narrowing the vessels. They eliminate swelling, accelerating the release of purulent flow of mucus from the sinuses:

1. "Galazolin";
2. Nazivin.

Important! You can take vasoconstrictor medications for no more than 6-7 days! Otherwise, addiction develops, the drug begins to bring not benefit, but harm!

Modern medicines are often available as a spray or aerosol. The solution is applied gently, evenly distributed on the nasal mucosa. After a weekly course, antiseptic drops are prescribed:

1. "Ectericide";
2. "Protargol".

• Destroy pathogens. They are what cause inflammation. This is where broad-spectrum antibiotics come in handy:

Amoxicillin should be taken three times a day

1. Augmentin (syrup). It is given to children after meals. There are suspensions with 8-hour and 12-hour action. The doctor calculates the dose suitable for the baby. The amount of mg depends on body weight.
2. Amoxiclav. For very young patients, the tablets are dissolved in water. The dosage is determined by the otolaryngologist.
3. The dosage is calculated depending on the body weight of the child. For 1 kg there are 30-60 mg of the drug per day. This dose should be divided into three doses. It is important to observe the same interval between doses. Food has no effect on performance
4. Flemoxin Salutab. Available in the form of fast-dissolving tablets.

It is possible to use tetracyclines:

1. "Doxycycline";
2. Unidox Salyutab.

Antibiotics are also prescribed when the disease is caused by viruses, but time was lost, and the purulent stage began.

• Prevention of complications. Physiotherapy is prescribed, recommended antihistamines. It is important that otitis media does not develop.

Chronic form

If the disease is not diagnosed and therapy has not been carried out, the disease can become chronic. It is not easy to cure her. Then the signs will not be so obvious, it will be more difficult to identify the disease. The main goal of the prescribed treatment is to eliminate the provoking factor.

Scheme of a puncture of the nasal sinus

Doctors may use medications or opt for surgery:

• medical method.

1. Nasal steroid sprays (Nasonex) are prescribed. If sprays are powerless, the otolaryngologist prescribes oral steroids.
2. course of antibiotics.
3. For fungal infections, antimycotic agents are recommended.

• Surgery.

If there is no result, a surgical puncture of the sinuses is prescribed. With the help of suction, purulent stagnation is eliminated. Then the doctor performs washing and treatment of the mucosa with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Traditional medicine

Treatment of sinusitis in children with folk methods at home is quite effective. But it should be carried out only as an addition to the main course of therapy prescribed by the doctor.

Inhalations

Treatment of a child with herbal infusions. Suitable collection of leaves of chamomile, sage, calendula. They can be purchased at your nearest pharmacy. Plants are poured with hot water and placed on the stove. Then the broth is brought to a boil and the baby is allowed to breathe in healing vapors.

Important! To protect the child from possible burns, use a towel! Cover the hot edges of the dishes with a cloth and check that the fumes do not burn your face!

If you don't want to risk using heated liquids, use an inhaler. A special device with a container for herbal infusions equipped with convenient flexible tubes and a mask for inhalation. In stores you can find devices designed specifically for babies. They are complemented by entertaining elements and imitate the shape of animals.

Nasal lavage

Sea salt is an indispensable companion for home therapy. It disinfects the mucous. But it is necessary to discuss such washing of the baby's sinuses with the attending physician. Perhaps he will advise ready solutions, which are sold in pharmacies, or prescribe an aerosol based on sea salt:

1. "Aquamaris";
2. Aqualor.

Microclimate

Hygrometer allows you to monitor the level of humidity

Sinusitis in children passes faster if a favorable climate is created in the house. The optimal temperature for maintaining the health of the child is 18 - 19 degrees. If the apartment is hot, the mucous membrane begins to dry. There is a characteristic cough. In addition, the baby will begin to sweat and can easily catch a cold. If the house is too cold, the child is also at risk of getting sick. Normal room temperature will protect your baby from illness.

If your baby has acute sinusitis, keep an eye on the humidity level. To do this, you can purchase a hygrometer. The inflammation will go away if the air in the room is not dry. Insufficient humidity in winter can be provoked by heating devices. Normal level humidity - 50 - 70%. You can adjust it by turning on the humidifier. Do not hurt and daily wet cleaning, as well as the presence of aquariums. With a runny nose, breathing is difficult. Dry air creates additional load to work the sinuses. Stuffiness and heat are the causes of the development of the disease. Try to create for the child required degree humidity. And then the night cough will subside.

Air purity - important factor. Ventilate the room in which the sick baby is located. In the summer, you can leave the window ajar all day. The cough will go away, giving way to healthy sleep.

It speeds up blood flow and reduces sinus inflammation. Within three minutes, lightly tap using thumb. These manipulations cause a drainage effect. They let the mucus get out. Then massage the following points:

Facial massage successfully starts the healing process

1. the area between the eyebrows;
2. points under the eyebrows;
3. places under the eye sockets;
4. middle of the nasolabial fold;
5. base of the wings of the nose.

Massage is not able to rid the baby of the disease completely. But he successfully launches the processes of recovery and recovery.

warming up

It is possible to treat this disease by heating if the acute period of the disease is behind and the baby does not have a temperature. To create dry heat, you can use:

1. Egg. It is boiled and wrapped in a cotton cloth. Warming up is best done before bedtime. Treating sinusitis in this way is convenient and simple.
2. Bag of salt. Coarse salt is heated in microwave oven or in a frying pan. Then they put it in a canvas bag and put it on the bridge of the nose. This is an excellent therapy for sinusitis.
3. Paraffin. Wax is heated and applied to the focus of inflammation. To avoid burns, you can lay a thin cotton cloth between the skin and paraffin.
4. Heated stones (stone therapy). This type of therapy is offered by spas and therapeutic dispensaries. If desired, you can treat the disease in this way at home. The pebble is heated in a frying pan, and then placed in a bag or a clean sock and applied to the nose.
5. Blue lamp. It emits infrared light and provides dry warmth. Such a reflector can be used to treat the nose, if at this time there is no exacerbation of the disease. Heat penetrates into the tissues by 4 cm, warms up the entire nasopharynx. The lamp will help if there is a cough.

Sinusitis often "hides" under the guise of a common cold. The task of each parent is to identify the signs that are characteristic of this particular disease. Be sure to consult an otolaryngologist. He will prescribe medications and supervise the treatment.

Sinusitis is a disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or allergens. This disease is one of the most common. Depending on the duration of the disease, acute and chronic forms of the disease are distinguished. Acute sinusitis can last up to 8 weeks, while the chronic form does not go away much longer and occurs more than four times a year. An inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses can occur in children and adults. Sinusitis can occur in any sinus on one or both sides of the nose.

Causes

Sinusitis in newborns appears much less frequently than in adults, but it still sometimes occurs if the baby has a cold or has become infected from someone. Without treatment, irreversible processes can occur that have a very detrimental effect on the condition of the child and threaten his life.

Sinusitis can be acute, unilateral or bilateral. The disease develops slowly and without treatment can lead to a more serious disease - sinusitis.

The main causes of sinusitis in infants are pathogens related to bacteria of the genus Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. They are most often the cause and are sown after bacterial culture from the nose. Also, other bacteria, such as M. catarralis, Str. pyogenes, Staph. aureus. Sinusitis due to respiratory infections that affect the upper respiratory tract. There is also another type of sinusitis in babies: nosocomial (hospital-acquired) sinusitis, which appears after a long-term tamponade of the nasal cavity, so you need to very carefully clean the nose of babies with cotton swabs or swabs. There are cases when sinusitis occurs in children due to Staphylococcus aureus, which is present in the microflora of every person, including very young children.

Acute sinusitis can develop due to allergies or allergic rhinitis. Also due to disruption of normal drainage and irrigation of the paranasal sinuses.

Factors that affect the development of sinusitis in infants:

• hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa
• deviated septum of the nose
• as a result of injury
• weak immunity
• poor hygiene and drainage of the nose

The main reasons that can cause acute sinusitis in a newborn are low innate immunity and poor atmosphere, too low or high humidity in the room, polluted air. Today, a hereditary connection with the development of sinusitis in a child is also noted.

Often, another cause of sinusitis in babies can be dry mucous membranes and bacteria or viruses from the air that have entered the nose. Therefore, you should monitor the humidity at home and try to moisten the nasal mucosa more often, in order to avoid its drying out.

Symptoms

At the very first stage, sinusitis usually goes unnoticed and not all parents can immediately understand that something is wrong with the baby. One of the most obvious symptoms is difficulty nasal breathing, nasal congestion or snot. Sinusitis in babies is associated with some characteristic features. They are explained by the structure of the child's body and undeveloped paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis in children often has no symptoms. The first signs are very easy to miss, since the clinical picture of the disease is early stage weakly expressed.

The following symptoms of sinusitis in infants can be distinguished:

• increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees
• difficult nasal breathing
• dry mouth and nose
• a large amount of discharge from the nose, in other words, snot and a runny nose that does not go away for more than 2 weeks
• cough that gets worse at night
• poor appetite and sleep disturbance

Diagnosis of sinusitis in newborns

Only a qualified pediatrician or otolaryngologist can make an accurate diagnosis for a baby. He may order an X-ray examination, which is a necessary medical measure taken in exceptional cases.

As a rule, X-ray examination is painless and fast.

Complications

With untimely, incorrect or insufficient treatment, sinusitis can lead to quite serious complications and can be harmful to the body. There is a risk of the following consequences:

• the microflora from the sinuses can lead to inflammation of the brain, the so-called meningitis;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane can lead to infection of the bone tissue;
• bacteria from the paranasal sinuses can enter the upper respiratory tract and lead to pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis.

All these consequences are not just unpleasant, they are extremely dangerous for the health of the child and require immediate intervention.

Treatment

What can you do?

Sinusitis always requires professional treatment. You can perform some procedures at home that will be complementary therapy. For example, wash your nose with various saline solutions, saline, sea water. And then suck out the discharge from the nose with an aspirator. But this must be done carefully so as not to drive excess liquid in the middle ear, which can then lead to otitis media. You also need to consider that babies have weak eardrums.

It is better not to resort to self-treatment, but rather contact a specialized institution, clinic or hospital. If the child is very small, then call the doctor at home. It is important not to delay the examination, as this can lead to various complications.

What will the doctor do?

When the first symptoms of sinusitis appear in a newborn, parents should immediately contact their pediatrician, and not try to independently determine the method of treatment. The doctor, in turn, determines how to treat the child, it can be either medical or surgical. But, as a rule, first of all they are appointed medications taking into account the presence of contraindications and the age of the child.

All medicines for the treatment of sinusitis in baby can be divided into several groups according to the healing properties:

• vasoconstrictor drops are used to improve the outflow of mucus from the nasal cavity and reduce swelling of the mucous membrane;
• silver-based medicinal preparations are used after vasoconstrictor drugs and have a therapeutic effect;
• antibacterial drugs, used when joining bacterial microflora;
• antihistamines to reduce mucosal edema.

The doctor may also prescribe, in addition to drug treatment, physiotherapy.

In that case when drug treatment does not lead to the proper result and sinusitis becomes complicated, the doctor prescribes surgical treatment. It consists in puncturing the paranasal sinuses. Pus is pumped out of the paranasal sinuses and washed with antibiotics with anti-inflammatory drugs. However, this is an extreme measure and very rarely happens with babies.

Prevention

In order to avoid sinusitis in a newborn, it is necessary to treat other diseases in him. These are mainly flu, runny nose and infectious diseases that cause inflammation. In no case should you run them and follow all the doctor's recommendations for the prescribed treatment.

It is necessary to develop the child's own immunity by performing the following activities:

• to monitor that the child does not get supercooled when being on the street or in the water when bathing;
• frequent ventilation of residential premises.

Sinusitis is a disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or allergens. This disease is one of the most common. Depending on the duration of the disease, acute and chronic forms of the disease are distinguished. Acute sinusitis can last up to 8 weeks, while the chronic form does not go away much longer and occurs more than four times a year. An inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses can occur in children and adults. Sinusitis can occur in any sinus on one or both sides of the nose.

Causes

The occurrence of an inflammatory disease in a child can cause a number of reasons.

• Viruses that enter the child's body.
• Bacterial pathogens that affect the paranasal sinuses.
• Getting a head injury, bruise or fracture of the nose.
• Fungal microorganisms also provoke the development of sinusitis in a child.
• Allergic reaction of the baby's body. An allergen can be animal hair, some plants, pollen from flowers, dust and other irritants.
• In some cases, sinusitis in a child occurs for mixed reasons. For example, when viral and bacterial infections enter the body at the same time.

Symptoms

Inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses of a baby can be acute or chronic. In the acute form of sinusitis, the symptoms appear suddenly, and the disease lasts no more than 2-3 weeks. If during this period the immune system does not cope with pathogens, sinusitis becomes chronic. Chronic processes last a long period, but the symptoms of sinusitis are less pronounced. You can recognize the onset of the disease by certain symptoms.

• Nasal congestion is the first sign of the onset of inflammatory processes. It is difficult for the child to breathe in and out, the voice changes.
• Simultaneously with nasal congestion with sinusitis, the baby develops a runny nose. Nasal discharge is thin, yellowish or green color. Sometimes the mucus can be clear.
• The child may feel pain in the bridge of the nose or in the nose. Feel especially good pain V evening time. Gradually, the pain moves to the head area.
• An increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees is possible. Fever usually occurs with acute sinusitis.
• The child becomes weak, his mood often changes, his appetite worsens and there are problems with sleep.
• Dryness in the throat is possible, which provokes minor bouts of coughing. But at night the cough gets worse.

The symptoms of sinusitis vary from child to child. The head can hurt in different parts. This is due to inflammatory processes in different paranasal sinuses.

Diagnosis of sinusitis in a child

You can diagnose the disease by external symptoms.

• To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor sends the child for delivery general analysis blood. With the help of the results of the analysis, you can find out about the level of leukocytes, which are significantly increased in acute sinusitis. There is also an increase in ESR.
• In addition to a general blood test, the child must undergo x-rays. The picture will clearly show the thickening of the mucous membrane of the sinuses. An x-ray helps to see the amount of fluid in the paranasal sinuses.
• For a more accurate diagnosis, the child may be referred for computed tomography. This type of examination is more informative in comparison with x-rays. CT scan allows you to find out about the condition of the paranasal sinuses.

Complications

What is the danger of the inflammatory process in a baby?

• The fact that with untimely diagnosis and lack of treatment, the inflammatory process can affect the brain. Meningitis or abscess may occur.
• When infected with an infection of the eye sockets, the risk of loss of vision increases.
• Osteomyelitis of the facial bones is a common complication of sinusitis in children.
• In an advanced case, sinusitis can cause sepsis, which is very life-threatening for the child.

Treatment

What can you do

After the doctor prescribes the treatment, parents should stick to it. But to relieve symptoms and get well soon, moms and dads can help their baby.

• It is necessary to ventilate the room, humidify the air if possible, and regularly do wet cleaning.
• In the warm season, the air conditioner can be turned on in the room. But at this moment the child should be in another room. In the cold season, you should not get involved in the use of heating devices that dry the air a lot.
• A good treatment for sinusitis is massage. It is necessary to lightly press on certain points on the face and nose. You should first ask the doctor how to massage the child on your own.
• Respiratory gymnastics is another effective method for treating the inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses. Breathing exercises can be done by children from 3-4 years old.
• It is important to increase the effectiveness of immunity. For this it is necessary good nutrition, eating vegetables and fruits, walking on fresh air and classes exercise. After consulting a doctor, you can give your child vitamin and mineral complexes.
• Rinse your sinuses daily with saline solution.

What does a doctor do

After making a diagnosis, the doctor will tell you how to treat inflammation of the sinuses. First of all, the doctor decides on drug treatment. The doctor prescribes the dosage and number of applications of drugs in accordance with individual features child's body.

• Vasoconstrictors are used to reduce swelling of the mucous membrane. These drugs help to improve the outflow of mucus, which allows you to fully breathe.
• After using vasoconstrictors, therapeutic fluids are applied. For example, with the content of protargol.
• Antibacterial agents help to cure sinusitis in a child.
• If the cause of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is allergic reaction antihistamines are used.
• For a speedy recovery, physiotherapy is prescribed.
• If medical treatment is ineffective, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The child is punctured and the mucus is removed from the paranasal sinuses. After the elimination of purulent masses, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs are introduced into the cleaned cavities.
• If the puncture of the nasal passages was ineffective, active surgical intervention is performed.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the nasal passages of the child, his health should be monitored.

• When diagnosing viral, fungal, bacterial diseases need prompt treatment.
• When a runny nose occurs, surgical treatment is also required.
• Strengthening the immunity of the child is of great importance as preventive measures to prevent sinusitis.

The immune system of babies does not develop immediately, but within a few years after birth. That is why crumbs are often exposed to various infectious lesions. All parents need to know what sinusitis is in children, since this disease that affects the nasal passages and sinuses can very often develop in a small child and in most cases is difficult to treat. Often this rather dangerous disease becomes the result of a common cold.

Sinusitis in children: features of the disease

Respiratory disease is, in fact, speaking, prefabricated. Under the general name, several pathologies are combined that are directly combined into one concept - inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. So a pronounced inflammation process that characterizes ethmoiditis destroys the sinuses located in the ethmoid bone. Sphenoiditis is localized in the sinuses sphenoid bone. Sinusitis is characterized by the location of the lesion in the maxillary regions, and frontal sinusitis is a frontal pathology.

Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses in children

The main features that provoke the frequent development of this pathological condition in children are the anatomical features of the structure of the nasal passages:

• the narrowness of the drainage and ventilation openings of the olfactory organ, directly connecting the cavity and sinuses of the nose. The narrower these nasal passages (fistulas), the faster they close with swollen mucous tissues and accumulations of thick exudate;
• cardinal anatomical differences internal structure baby's nose and underdevelopment of the sinuses, passages and valves. The reason for this lies in the underdevelopment facial skeleton. Full formation bone structures skull occurs only by 7-12 years.

The narrowness of fistulas contributes to their rapid closure under the influence of negative factors. The result is the accumulation of inflammatory fluid inside the sinuses, which is a favorable environment for the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms that actively inhabit it. It is this pathological process that provokes the development of sinusitis. Big influence the age of the child has a clinical picture of this type of respiratory disease.

The direct relationship of the age category of young patients with manifestations of the disease is shown in the table:

AGE GROUPS	CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PATHOLOGICAL CONDITION
Up to 3 years	The weak development of the sinus sinuses provokes the development of a destructive process in the bone structures of the ethmoid labyrinth. The pathological condition in young children usually develops against the background of an adenoid or and often has an asymptomatic course. Due to the inability of the baby to correctly convey his feelings, acute sinusitis in this category of young patients is rarely diagnosed.
4 to 7 years old	Not only the ethmoid bones are affected, but also the maxillary and maxillary sinuses.
8 to 15 years old	In this age category of patients, the negative process can be localized in any of the sinuses, since they are all quite developed. In some cases, several sinuses are affected at the same time.

Important! Parents should know how dangerous the development of sinusitis in babies, which provokes almost complete, due to age-related characteristics, the closure of the airy nasal passages. Such a pathological condition, left unattended, can lead to serious inflammatory complications provoked by active reproduction in pathogenic microorganisms filled with mucous or purulent exudate.

Types of sinusitis

At the core of this is enough dangerous disease is the site of localization of the process of inflammation. This factor pathological condition gives specialists the opportunity to subdivide the pathological condition that develops in the upper respiratory tract into (the infectious process occurs in one or more sinuses at the same time) and in which all the paranasal sinuses are affected. Depending on the prevalence of the destructive process, the disease is divided into unilateral (left-sided or right-sided) and characterized by simultaneous damage to both sinuses.

If we are talking about the form of a pathological condition, then it is directly related to the duration of the course of the disease. Most often diagnosed in children. This type of disease has pronounced signs and is characterized by a high-speed course (from 2 to 3 weeks). In the event that acute negative state the child could not be cured in a timely manner, he develops. This variety The disease is recurrent in nature and proceeds with a constant change of periods of remission and relapse.

According to the form in a small child, such types of sinusitis are also distinguished, such as:

1. . Process acute inflammation, in which there is an abundant separation of non-purulent mucus, proceeds in the paranasal sinuses.
2. . It develops as a result of joining the pathological process of bacterial microflora in the upper respiratory organs, which provokes the formation in them purulent exudate, the outflow of which is difficult due to the narrowness of the nasal passages.

Both of these types in medical terminology are combined in and can proceed both separately and together. An example of the latter variety can be considered the filling of one of the sinuses with non-purulent contents, while in the other, under the influence of pathogenic bacterial microflora, pus accumulates. This type of disease is considered the most dangerous in children, which is associated with the difficulty of choosing a therapeutic course designed to eliminate it.

What causes sinusitis in children?

The main factor provoking the development of this type of respiratory disease is the frequent infection of the upper respiratory tract by any pathogenic microorganisms, which is associated with insufficient development of the baby's immune system.

Specialists stand out the following reasons sinusitis in children:

• the influence of pathogenic bacteria. considered the most severe form pathology, since under the influence of pathogenic microflora, the mucous exudate that accumulates in the nasal passages and sinuses is transformed into a purulent form, which requires a course of antibiotic therapy to eliminate;
• damage to the mucous membranes of the nasal septum by viruses that provoke the development of respiratory diseases. In this case, the type of pathological condition is diagnosed;
• exposure to pathogenic fungi (Mucor, Candida and others). occurs in children less often than other forms, but is considered the most dangerous. To stop this form pathological conditions often require surgical intervention.

The main factor of the disease, as already mentioned, is the insufficiently formed immunity of the child. For this reason, any cold can develop into one of the varieties of sinusitis. Some circumstances that make up the risk group accelerate the development of pathology in babies. The main place among them is occupied by accidental entry into a solid foreign body or water when bathing, the presence in the nasal passages, infectious foci, for example, stomatitis or caries, localized in the oral cavity.

Often diagnosed in children. Its development is associated with the penetration of an allergen into the defenseless body of a child. Special meaning in the development of this form of pathology in babies, the appearance of worms in them, the conduct of routine vaccinations (vaccinations), excessive and monotonous diet or ingestion of food allergens into the digestive tract.

Sinusitis Symptoms in Children

Main negative manifestations, accompanying this kind of diseases localized directly in the upper respiratory tract, are reduced to the appearance of acute headaches in the child. Unpleasant painful sensations during the development of this disease usually occur in the frontal or temporal zones. A prerequisite that provokes severe painful symptoms sinusitis in children, aggravated by any movement of the head, always becomes a prolonged runny nose.

Also, the presence of thick discharge from the nose and its constant congestion are accompanied by the appearance of a combination of certain symptoms, indicating the beginning of the development of an inflammatory process in the sinuses.

• difficulty breathing through the nose - from time to time "does not breathe" either the left or the right nostril;
• the appearance of thick, hard-to-smoke snot that has a dark green tint.
• the presence of a regular morning cough with purulent sputum, and the inability to cough completely in the daytime.

In addition to the above manifestations sharp shape pathological condition accompany and general physiological symptoms sinusitis in a child. They consist in the loss of appetite by the baby, the appearance of increased irritability and insomnia and constantly elevated to subfebrile marks (37-38 ° C) body temperature.

At chronic form pathology, the signs of sinusitis in a child are mild, but this does not mean that the disease is nearing a cure. Dangerous process continues to actively develop further, but this is already happening in latent form. In this case, negative symptoms become pronounced only when the disease recurs.

The severity of the disease

In addition to the clinical picture, specialists also evaluate such an indicator of the disease as its severity. It is established based on the complaints of a small patient about the symptoms present in him.

Gradation (sequence of occurrence) of this indicator and its main characteristics:

1. Easy. With a mild course of the disease, there are no radiological signs characteristic of it. Also almost completely absent clinical symptoms. The main manifestations noted at this stage of development are the appearance of mild headaches in the baby, localized from the side of the nasal sinus that has undergone an inflammatory process. The temperature is mostly normal, not exceeding 37°C.
2. Medium heavy. A pathological condition that has reached this degree of severity proceeds accompanied by a moderate pain syndrome, localized in the part of the head where the sinus of the nose damaged by the inflammatory process is located, and initial signs intoxication. The body temperature of a sick child at this stage reaches 38.5°C.
3. Heavy. With the transition of the disease to this stage, which is this disease the latter, in children who have undergone its development, there are clear signs of intoxication of the body and acute headaches, which are aggravated even with the slightest movement. The temperature can reach a critical point of 40 ° C.

Identification of the severity of the pathological condition is necessary for correct appointment treatment course. Depending on how severe the negative manifestations of the disease are, the specialist selects the medication necessary for their relief.

Diagnosis of the disease

The detection of development in the nasal sinuses of a pathological condition in babies does not differ in the use of any extraordinary methods. Diagnosis of sinusitis in children is quite traditional. First of all, it consists in mandatory x-ray, which in more than 80% of cases makes it possible to detect the onset of the development of the disease.

Also, depending on the location of the pathological condition, the following studies can be prescribed for sick children:

• puncture of a therapeutic and diagnostic orientation. It is used to determine the degree of damage localized in maxillary sinuses, and determine the further course of their treatment;
• CT scan. This diagnostic procedure necessary for sinusitis inflammatory nature;
• endoscopic examination. This research method is considered the most informative and can be used for any kind of pathological condition.

An important role in the diagnosis of sinusitis is given to laboratory blood tests. The results of these clinical studies can show the presence of any inflammatory changes in the baby's body. Based on all the data obtained as a result of the diagnosis, the specialist can prescribe the most appropriate treatment for sinusitis, which makes it possible to achieve complete cure and avoid possible complications of this disease.

Important! In no case is it unacceptable to try to independently diagnose a pathological condition developing in the baby's sinuses, as well as take any measures to get rid of this respiratory ailment. If a doctor has diagnosed sinusitis in a child, treatment should be exclusively his prerogative. Only experienced specialist will be able to conduct a competent course of therapy and achieve a speedy recovery of a small patient.

How and how to treat sinusitis in children?

For appointment adequate therapy, which can help in a short time to save the baby from the pathological condition, the attending physician must know the specific reason that provoked him. In order to cure sinusitis in a child, it is necessary to use several medical techniques, each of which helps only in a specific case of the disease.

Most often, babies are prescribed conservative therapy. For its implementation, such medicines for sinusitis are used, which are completely safe for a weak child's body and are not capable of causing side effects in a child.

Their main list is given in the table:

GROUP OF MEDICINES	FUNCTION AND BENEFITS	DRUGS OF CHOICE
Antibiotics	Antibacterial tablets for sinusitis are prescribed only in case of its bacterial origin. This therapy is required acute phase disease, as it allows for a short time to eliminate the pathogenic agent that provoked the development of the disease	, clavulanate or alternative medicines. Cefuroxime-axetil. At severe course ailment, Ceftriaxone is prescribed, and for allergies, Chloramphenicol
Topical preparations	Data pharmaceutical forms drugs are considered the most convenient for children. This is due to their ability to have an antibacterial, vasoconstrictor or antiallergic effect directly on the lesion - the nose or. to these forms medicines refer to sinusitis sprays or nasal drops	To completely safe sprays recommended for children, experts include Polydex with phenylephrine, Isofra and Bioparox, and the best drops for sinusitis, such as - Xilen, Rinostop and Nazivin

The treatment of sinusitis in children with the help of these means pursues the achievement of the following goals - the destruction of the pathogenic agent, relief negative symptoms, restoration of normal drainage in the nasal sinuses, prevention of the transition of the pathological state into chronic stage and preventing the development of possible complications.

Surgical treatment of sinusitis

Any, among which sinusitis is not the last place, are eliminated not only with the help of complex therapy. In case it turns out to be ineffective, as well as during the transition chronic condition to the advanced stage, small patients are prescribed surgical intervention. It is performed traditional way(removal of affected tissues or bone structures by performing a buccal or intraoral incision) or with a minimally invasive endoscopic operation.

Indications for surgical interventions serve:

• heaviness general condition small patient;
• osteomyelitis developing in the frontal or maxillary bone;
• signs of sepsis;
• severe intoxication of the body.

In order to stop sinusitis complicated by the development of a purulent-necrotic process in children, treatment is carried out by opening and subsequent drainage of subperiosteal (located directly under the periosteum - a fibrous membrane covering the bone from above) abscesses. This form of sinus complication can affect the frontal sinuses, the maxilla, any of the nasal septa, the palate, or the orbits.

Treatment of sinusitis in children at home

With uncomplicated, flowing in mild form disease, it is permissible to use home therapies in children. The only indispensable condition is a preliminary consultation with an otolaryngologist. It is he who will tell about. Will make certain adjustments so as not to cause irreparable harm to the baby, since in each case self therapy has some nuances.
But there are also general techniques acceptable in almost any form of this pathology.

In order to stop just beginning sinusitis in a child, treatment at home is carried out using the following activities that are most popular with parents:

1. Washing. Fast cleansing nasal cavities with sea ​​water or herbal decoctions of calendula, chamomile, peppermint, eucalyptus and others medicinal plants recommended by a specialist. The direct procedure consists in the introduction with a syringe into one nostril and the withdrawal of the drug from the other.
2. . The relief of negative symptoms and the cleansing of the nasal passages is carried out by inhaling a couple of medicinal plants or potatoes by a small patient. Steam inhalation for sinusitis lasts approximately 10 minutes.
3. warming up. Eliminate nasal congestion with dry heat. The procedure involves applying to the affected pathological process sinus sacs with heated sea ​​salt or hard-boiled eggs.

Treatment of sinusitis in children with folk methods

For many centuries, our ancestors used to rid young children of respiratory diseases natural remedies prepared on the basis medicinal plants. All medicinal infusions and decoctions, for the preparation of which are used healing herbs, are safe enough and do not cause addiction in a small child, even with prolonged use.

• Tatar juice. This herb is rich in inulin, which has effective help at respiratory diseases. The freshly squeezed juice of the plant is used instead of nasal drops. It is instilled 5 drops into each nostril for a week;
• May honey and agave juice. These ingredients are mixed in a ratio of 2: 1, kept in the refrigerator for a week and given to the child to eat a teaspoon before each meal;
• onion juice with honey. This remedy intended for washing the nose. To prepare it, rub a small onion on a grater, add a teaspoon of honey to the juice squeezed out of it and dilute it in half a glass of cold boiled water.

Can be cooked and homemade ointment. With sinusitis in a child, it is prepared on the basis of baby cream. To 20 grams of this fatty substance, add 0.5 g of camphor and menthol, which have a good irritant. They cause a reflex spasm in the vessels of the nose, which leads to a decrease in the swelling of the mucous membrane and, accordingly, the restoration of breathing in the child.

Important! Sinusitis Treatment folk remedies, for the preparation of which recipes tested for centuries are used, it has long been recognized traditional medicine. But before you start using such therapy, you should discuss all its nuances with a pediatrician and an otolaryngologist. Only doctors with these qualifications will help you choose the most suitable prescriptions for a particular small child based on his medical history, general condition and existing contraindications.

What is dangerous sinusitis in children: possible complications

This disease, which often affects babies, is perceived by parents in different ways. Some immediately, at the appearance of the first warning signs sound the alarm, and someone refers to pathological condition quite calmly, without making any distinction between it and the common cold. Experts consider the last belief to be fundamentally wrong, because in the absence of adequate therapy in small patients, serious complications of sinusitis develop in a short time.

The most frequent health threatening or, in some cases, children's lives are as follows serious consequences diseases:

• intracranial complications. Among them, thrombosis of the nasal sinuses, meningitis are most often detected. soft shape, intracranial abscesses;
• eye and orbital problems are the development in babies in the area upper eyelid and eye edema of an inflammatory nature, phlegmon, abscesses. Often, young patients also develop a disease such as optic neuritis.

Most Dangerous purulent form sinusitis. It is she who provokes the development of sepsis - the movement of pathogenic microorganisms along the bloodstream to all internal organs child, including the brain, leading to the development of secondary inflammatory foci in them.

Prevention of sinusitis in childhood

Respiratory diseases are not as simple as they might seem. Parents of young children should take them seriously. Any child of preschool age should be given daily prevention of sinusitis, because this disease is easier to prevent than to treat.

The main measures that prevent the development of pathology are:

• regular adequate treatment of any colds or infectious diseases respiratory tract;
• avoiding any contact with sick people and taking antiviral agents that prevent the development of influenza during epidemics;
• prevention of curvature of the nasal septum (in case of injury to the nose, an urgent appeal to a traumatologist is necessary to correct it);
• strengthening immunity and hardening of the body.

These preventive actions help protect the child from the dangerous consequences provoked by sinusitis. Also, experts strongly recommend that parents of young children, if the crumbs have suspicious symptoms of this pathology of the upper respiratory tract, urgently contact an otolaryngologist and strictly follow all his advice regarding the treatment of sinusitis.

Informative video: