Analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis in infants

The digestive system of a newborn baby is not yet developed enough. Internal organs are functionally inferior, they synthesize too few necessary enzymes, and the intestinal microflora is adapted only to the milk type of nutrition.

The infant is still completely dependent on the mother's milk. Any high-quality mixture only approximates in composition, but does not replace it completely. Serious problems arise when feeding "artificial".

On the process of digestion in infants, pediatricians are judged by the type and frequency of the stool, appetite, and monthly weight gain. Bacteria of the intestine perform many useful functions. For this, a certain composition and relationship must be maintained. Violation of the balance( dysbacteriosis) in the direction of increasing or decreasing the number leads to different symptoms.

Stool disorders are difficult to tolerate by babies. Analysis of dysbiosis in infants helps identify the causes of intolerance to nutrient mixtures, the nature of the disease.

To whom is the study of feces for dysbiosis?

Dysbacteriosis, not being a separate disease, accompanies various functional and pathological disorders. The doctor suspects dysbacteriosis, if the child appears:

• too frequent liquid stool with uncharacteristic for age impurities;
• bloating, delayed venting;
• regurgitation after eating a large amount of curdled milk;
• skin rash;
• association with treatment with antibiotics of various diseases;
• a tendency to frequent colds, indicating a weakening of immunity.

Decreased appetite and underweight - a serious reason for checking for dysbiosis

How does the baby's microflora change after birth?

The fetus in the womb is in sterile conditions. The intestine produces meconium( primary feces), which departs in the first days of life. Already moving through the birth canal, the baby first meets the microflora of the mother's body.

Normally, there are bifido- and lactobacilli, intestinal sticks. During breastfeeding, the child acquires other microorganisms, colonization of the intestine with its own microflora occurs.

Ideal calculations show that in the infant with natural feeding in the intestinal microflora should be almost 99% of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. The rest is provided by conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.

What should parents remember about an infant?

Experienced pediatricians do not advise to focus on the daily frequency of the stool. It is believed that this indicator is very individual and depends:

• on the functional maturity of the digestive system;
• type of feeding;
• course of pregnancy and childbirth.

The main thing is to monitor the state of health, the activity of the baby, the regular emptying of the intestine, the absence of painful signs and pathological impurities in the stool. In the first month of life, defecation occurs after feeding. The frequency is allowed from once a day to 10-12.The main thing is that the child does not strain hard, do not shout. By consistency, the liquid mass is gradually replaced by the formed one. Do not forget that the liquid is absorbed into the diaper, so there are lumps on the surface.

The color of the feces varies from golden yellow to yellow-green or yellow-brown. If breastfeeding is discontinued, it becomes darker. The green tint is associated with the release of bilirubin to stale masses until six months to nine months. Possible "greening" of yellow discharge when leaving the diaper in the air.

If the child has never seen this symptom, and appeared against the background of other disorders, then it is necessary to check the analysis of feces. Possible as functional disorders( reaction to the introduction of complementary foods, a lack of milk from the mother), and the baby's diseases that cause dysbiosis.

When kissing, parents "share" with the baby their microbes

In the feces of the baby can be an admixture of mucus, undigested white lumps. With the well-being of the baby, this indicates the intolerance of complementary feeding, a violation of the feeding mama diet. What inclusions are always alarming, is: the presence of blood or pus. Symptom is considered dangerous. Parents should respond correctly and immediately consult a doctor.

How are tests performed on children with dysbiosis?

The initial study of feces is a coprogram. It can be called a review, because the result indicates a functional state( maturity) of digestion. In addition to identifying undigested food residues, increasing fat components, the result shows:

• admixture of elements of inflammation( leukocytes, mucus growth);
• eggs of worms;
• is the cyst form of parasites.

The microflora is distinguished by:

• in shape;
• to the core location;
• presence of flagella, pseudopods;
• travel options.

The second stage is bacteriological seeding on a nutrient medium for growing colonies. This method allows a significant increase in the concentration of micro-exciters, if their amount in feces is too small for microscopic detection.

Duration of cultivation not less than five days

By the way, from the concentrated amount it is possible to take also the repeated analysis on a microscopy, to consider microorganisms easier if they are concentrated on a small site. Biochemical studies of the intestinal flora are based on the isolation of microorganisms of different types of organic acids. By their registration determine the type and approximate number of bacteria.

Bacteriological methods are more common because of the maximum informativeness, since they allow simultaneously to reveal the sensitivity of the revealed pathogenic flora to antibiotics for the purpose of prescribing the optimal drug for treatment. The result of the analysis depends on the parents' compliance with the rules for collecting bowel movements.

How correctly to collect the analysis of a feces at a babe?

To collect the stool did not affect the reliability of the study, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for preparing the child for the analysis and collection rules.

For three to five days before feces removal, the baby is not allowed:

• to introduce a new lure;
• to prepare meat broths and dishes.

Application is not recommended:

• of any medication,
• rectal suppository,
• laxative.

If a child is prescribed permanent drugs, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the temporary cancellation.

It is necessary to try to choose the moment when the child first urinated that the stool masses do not mix with the urine

Additional tips:

1. You can not put enemas with constipation.
2. In the morning, the baby is carried out an ordinary toilet with thorough washing.
3. In the infant, feces are collected in sterile dishes directly from the diaper.
4. If the baby sits on the pot, then it is necessary to pre-treat the inner surface thoroughly with soap, without disinfectants.
5. The jar can be used as a jar after washing and scalding with boiling water, but it should be firmly closed with a lid. It is best to purchase a ready-made special container with a spatula in the pharmacy.
6. The volume of feces should be at least a teaspoon.

It is necessary to deliver the collected material to the laboratory within two hours. It is allowed to store in the refrigerator( not in the freezer) for 4 hours, but the analysis loses its validity. This is due to the effect of oxygen from the air on some microorganisms, which quickly die.

The most accurate results are obtained when the child is in the hospital. The test is taken by flushing with a stick with a wet swab. It is not deep entered into the anus and cranked. If parents expect to check the feces for a dysbacteriosis in a baby in a private medical institution, then it is necessary to find out the work schedule of the laboratory.

What does the analysis say?

Deciphering the results should not be attempted to do on their own. The information is very specific, the indicators are unusual for clinical laboratories. The form shows the entire intestinal microflora by species and abundance. Quantification is carried out in CFU( colony forming units) in a gram of material( feces).This indicator reflects the potential of microorganisms to spread.

The number is necessarily in the form of a dozen with a power exponent or a set of zeros. For each type of microorganism, there are norms of the lower and upper limits. On deviations judge for a dysbacteriosis. The presence or absence of pathogenic pathogens is noted( +) or( -).

Which bacteria are included in the analysis?

The transcript of the study includes three groups of indicators: the number of beneficial bacterial species, conditionally pathogenic types and causing diseases. The composition of useful intestinal microflora is constant. Bifidobacteria - perform many functions:

• helps to assimilate food microelements;
• cleaves proteins, fats and carbohydrates to substances that freely penetrate the bloodstream through the intestinal wall;
• synthesizes vitamins;
• activate intestinal peristalsis;
• neutralizes slags and toxins;
• provide local immunity.

Bifidobacteria - the main constituent of the intestinal microflora

Lactobacilli are necessary: ​​

• for the synthesis of lactic acid and support of acid-base balance;
• produced by the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk proteins;
• activation of other enzymes;
• fighting the pathogenic flora.

The normal level is within the range of 106-107 cfu / g. Deficiency of lactobacilli causes in the child poor assimilation of milk up to intolerance, constipation, propensity to allergic reactions.

Escherichia( a useful variety of Escherichia coli) - participate:

• in food digestion processes;
• against pathogenic bacteria;
• stimulation of immunity.

Normal indices: 106-107 cfu / g. Decrease is observed with helminthic infection.

In addition to the total number, the level of E. coli, which have a decreased activity of enzymes, is determined. They are considered safe, but if the indicator exceeds 10% of the whole microflora, then it is considered a sign of dysbiosis.

Bacteroides are microorganisms that should not be present in children under 6 months of age. The elders are considered to be normal 107-108.The main feature is participation in the splitting of fats.

Microorganisms are considered opportunistic, which in a healthy child does not cause any painful symptoms, but in case of a decrease in immunity, they can become an additional cause of pathology. For this type of microflora, the upper limit of the norm is defined:

• enterococcus - 107 cfu / g;
• peptostreptococcus - 105;
• to saprophytic staphylococci - 104;
• to Candida fungi and clostridia 1000 cfu / g.

Especially significant is the increase in prevalence against the background of a decrease in bifido- and lactobacilli. Usually, in this case, the baby is observed:

• intensification of the processes of fermentation in the intestine;
• inflammation of the mucosa;
• diarrhea;
• bloating.

Dyspeptic disorders - a sign of pathology

Pathogenic microorganisms should not normally appear in feces analysis. Their presence in infants is always associated with clinical signs of infection of one of the intestinal infections. The most common in children are:

• salmonella - cause a disease with severe course, severe intoxication, complications in the form of sepsis, pneumonia, meningoencephalitis;
• shigella is the causative agent of dysentery, an infection localized in the large intestine with a clinic of intoxication, diarrhea, tenesmus, high fever;
• Staphylococcus aureus - manifested by multiple pustules on the skin, allergic reactions, in severe cases, rapidly cause sepsis with fatal outcome among newborns in case of infection in the maternity ward.

Dysbacteriosis occurs in 95% of infants. Especially it is prone to babies born prematurely, with low weight. The World Health Organization does not consider the condition pathological, but refers to functional deficiency, doctors hope for an independent recovery.

In our country, pediatricians treat pediatric dysbiosis with the help of special probiotics, which stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. With small deviations, preference is given to diet, change of complementary foods. Drug therapy is necessary if there is a clear threat to the health and development of the child.