Imperfection immunity in children often leads to the oft-repeated colds, acute respiratory viral infection and the development of chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases. To help in all these cases could only strengthen the immune system Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system For example, using licopid.

Features of immunity in children

The immunity of the child begins to develop in utero. But for the first month of life all the links are usually depressed immunity, and protect the body of the newborn antibodies passed him by his mother. The immune system of the baby matures gradually, experiencing at the same time a number of critical periods.

To child's immune system matured promptly and correctly, it is necessary nutrition, food with a sufficient amount of protein (without protein immune cells are not formed), carbohydrates (energy source, without which the other exchange can not exist), fats, vitamins, macro- and microelements, which are part of enzymes, hormones and other biologically active substances involved in the formation of the immune system The immune system - how it works? .

Of great importance is the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, it is in the intestines is the bulk of the immune cells. Therefore, the formation of the normal intestinal microflora of the child is emphasized. Children frequently and chronically ill with chronic infectious-inflammatory diseases are often given anti-bacterial agents, and therefore almost always have the intestinal dysbiosis, and impaired immunity.

In this case, to enhance immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   the child shall be appointed by probiotics - drugs, which include bacteria - the natural inhabitants of the intestine. And in order to quickly restore the immune system, assign different immunomodulatory agents, which include, for example, likopid.

As likopid acts on the child's body

Likopid - a synthesized drug, which is a fragment of the cell membranes of virtually all bacteria. Immune cells, which should deal with infectious agents, very well "aware" of such bacteria and exhibit an increased sensitivity to them. On the surface of immune cells have special Likopid sensitive receptors, which allows the latter to act on the immune cells.

Under the influence of licopid immune cells responsible for cell-mediated immunity, are beginning to more actively absorb and dissolve infectious agents. Cells are activated and that are responsible for humoral immunity, they rapidly produce antibodies. All together, this contributes to the overall improvement of immunity.

Likopid is absolutely safe drug that can be used at any age, including the neonatal period.

In some cases, children prescribed likopid

Likopid administered to children with acute and chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases, which are accompanied by a decrease in immunity. It can be used in the neonatal period, when the child's own immune system is depressed. Likopid prescribed for obstructive lung, intestinal, urinary infections in newborns with sepsis, with septic complications after surgery, etc. In all these cases, it is administered at 500 micrograms (one half of mg tablets) twice a day for a week. The required amount of the drug is dissolved in a teaspoon of boiling water and give drink to the child.

Beginning in the year and to 16 years for children with infectious and inflammatory diseases (in the acute phase or remission) likopid prescribe a course of one tablet (1 mg) once daily under the tongue for ten days.

Likopid is used in the treatment of acute and chronic viral diseases. It can be used in children, who often suffer from colds and acute respiratory viral diseases. But more likopid used for chronic viral infections - herpes and hepatitis. Both of these infections are prone to prolonged recurrent course. Likopid will help prevent recurrence of the disease.

In the treatment of herpes infections children after a year likopid appoint tablet (1 mg) three times a day for ten days. In the treatment of chronic hepatitis likopid administered at the same dose for 20 days.

In some cases, children likopid contraindications and side effects

Likopid contraindicated in children only in case of hypersensitivity to its components the body of the child, at a high temperature, and if the child suffers from autoimmune thyroiditis Autoimmune thyroiditis - thyroid disease   (infectious-allergic disease of the thyroid gland).

Because of side effects, allergic reactions (rare), and the temperature rise at the beginning of treatment (fever runs independently and does not require the abolition of licopid).

Galina Romanenko

Although children and young people from diseases of the thyroid gland suffer much less than adults, the signs and symptoms of these diseases in most cases the same.

Congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism - a disease common in newborns (according to statistics, one of the four thousand babies). Congenital hypothyroidism is characterized by dysfunction of the thyroid gland and the inability to produce enough hormones. In rare cases, the thyroid gland is completely absent. Approximately ten percent of cases, the cause of congenital hypothyroidism - enzimopaty (fermentopathy) leading to a deficiency of thyroid hormones, and iodine deficiency disorders of the pituitary gland. In the absence of a proper diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism can lead to defects in the child's development and mental retardation Mental retardation - if the mind is underdeveloped .

In most countries, the newborn check the thyroid gland shortly after birth - usually within the first week after birth is carried out a blood test that checks the level of thyroid hormones. After the detection of hypothyroidism in infants treatment begins immediately. Treatment of congenital hypothyroidism involves hormone replacement therapy with synthetic forms of the hormone thyroxine Thyroxine - the main thyroid hormone Produced by the thyroid gland. Such treatment does not have negative effects on the mental and physical development of the child.

Typically, with the development of congenital hypothyroidism first symptoms of thyroid disease in children occur within the first few days - including poor appetite, constipation, low body temperature, cold skin, slow heartbeat, drowsiness. Within a few weeks after the birth of a baby becoming noticeably more serious consequences of congenital hypothyroidism - slow growth and development, dry skin and hair, reduced muscle tone, slow reflexes, the emergence of an umbilical hernia. At this stage, the treatment of hypothyroidism hormone drugs can suppress most of the symptoms, but the likelihood of damage to the child's brain is very high.

Hyperthyroidism in children

Hyperthyroidism, increased activity of the thyroid gland, occurs in newborns in very rare cases - a condition called neonatal hyperthyroidism. If the mother of the newborn found Graves' disease, stimulates the thyroid antibodies in the blood can get into the child's body and affect the child's thyroid gland, causing an overabundance of hormones. Usually in such cases, treatment is needed - antibodies trapped in the body of the infant the mother's body, independently derived from the blood within two or three months. However, in rare cases, the level of antibodies is so high that can cause acute thyrotoxicosis. In this case, for the normalization of the hormonal level of the child requires immediate treatment with medications that suppress thyroid function.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children are similar to the symptoms of the disease in adults: it is heart palpitations and irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper And fever. Treatment with drugs that suppress the function of the thyroid gland, safe for children and usually can suppress the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children for a very short period of time.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in children and adolescents - Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease. The cause of this disease - antibodies produced by the immune system, breaking the production of thyroid hormones. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can occur at any age, however, as the symptoms develop very slowly, Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosed at an early stage is difficult.

Very often, the first sign of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in children becomes a sudden slowdown in the growth and development of the skeleton, as well as a marked swelling of the neck (goiter), caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Other common symptoms of thyroid disease Thyroid disease - women at risk   in children include tiredness, dry itchy skin, increased sensitivity to cold, weight gain, poor concentration, constipation, decreased activity.

To determine hypothyroidism in children is a simple blood test that measures the levels of hormones produced by the thyroid gland and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood. The presence of antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin) also allows you to diagnose a thyroid disorder in the child.

Treatment

Basic principles of treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are the same for children and adults. For the treatment of the disease requires hormone replacement therapy - administration of drugs to compensate for deficiency of thyroid hormones in the recommended, in accordance with the age of dosage. To control the normal levels of hormones requires regular blood tests.

Side effects

Hormone replacement therapy, used for the treatment of thyroiditis in children and adolescents, is quite effective: the treatment suppresses most of the symptoms and the body of the child develops a normal pace. However, in cases where hypothyroidism develops over a long period of time are possible consequences for child development - in particular, growth retardation, and skeletal development. The normalization of the thyroid gland can lead to changes and physiological and psychological nature: increased energy, increased activity of a child can lead to a loss of concentration and reduction of attention, especially in school. Over time, such problems associated with changes in hormone levels, disappear on their own.