Symptoms of meningitis in a child 5. Manifestations of serous meningitis

  • The date: 02.04.2019

To be able to recognize the signs of meningitis in children should all parents, since the danger to get sick about 10 times higher in childhood. If the child does not provide timely medical care, consequences can be disastrous, up to death.

Meningita causative agent

Meningitis is a group of diseases in which inflammation of the shells of the head or spinal cord. Inflammation of soft or cellic shells called leptheningitis, solid shells - PAHIMENIGITY. Prior to the invention of vaccines and antibiotics in the early 20th century, mortality in the diagnosis of purulent meningitis in children was about 90%. Still in countries West Africa (Meningitic belt area) There are outbreaks of this disease with thousands of infected.

Meningitis happens to an independent disease (primary meningitis) and form of complications (secondary meningitis). Infection can occur by air-droplet, through dirty hands, foods, water. Increased infection can be accessed through open wounds, venous catheters. Often infection with the causative agent of meningitis occurs against the background of reduced immunity or existing CNS diseases - cereals, a cyst in the brain.

Meningitis causative agents are:

  • viruses;
  • bacteria;
  • fungi;
  • spirochetes;
  • malari plasma and.

Causes of meningitis in children

Viral meningitis in children occurs more often than the other forms. Viruses - causes of meningitis:

  • enteroviruses, including;
  • influenza viruses windmillhaving listened;
  • arbovirus, including encephalitis virus,
  • gerpes viruses of the 1st and 2nd types;
  • virus epidemic parotitis;

Bacterial meningitis Children and adults cause:

  • pneumococcus;
  • staphylococcus;
  • listeria (as weak immunitete both in the elderly);
  • tuberculosis stick (causes secondary meningitis);
  • intestinal wand ( frequent cause meningitis in newborns);

Of the fungi cause meningitis in children can:

  • cryptococci;
  • candida.

Spiroquets causing meningitis is:

  • pale Treplema, causing syphilis;
  • borrelia caused disease Lyme;
  • leptospira.

How to recognize meningitis - symptoms in children

To know how meningitis is manifested in children, it is necessary to learn the main signs of the disease to which include:

  • high temperature and chills;
  • headache;
  • pain in the muscles of the neck;
  • drowsiness, unconscious state;
  • vomiting;
  • photophobia;
  • rigidity of the occipital muscles.

Signs of some forms of meningitis in children:

  • rash on the skin;
  • convulsions;
  • anxiety;
  • increased excitability;
  • mental disorders.

Incubation period of meningitis in children

With the disease, meningitis in children, symptoms and signs appear rapidly, but often there are similar to the manifestations of other diseases. Meanwhile, the danger of meningitis requires immediate hospitalization, and the faster it happens, the more favorable the forecast will be. The duration of the incubation period of the disease depends on the set of factors, including from the state immune systemand may vary from 2 to 10 days. The beginning of the disease is sharp.

The first signs of meningitis in children

The main feature of meningitis is the headache, which is read from the first days of the disease and continues almost before recovery. Often, the headache is accompanied by a "fountaining" vomit without nausea that does not bring a sick relief. Localization of pain is different - especially often in the forehead or in the back of the head, sometimes pain diffuse. The severity of pain syndrome may vary, but the stronger is the headache with tuberculous meningitis. From noise and light pain syndrome Always enhanced.

The first sign of meningitis in children in the overwhelming majority of cases is a high temperature. In purulent meningitis, the temperature rises to critical values \u200b\u200b- 40-41 ° C, during serous meningitis and some other types of disease, the temperature is increased less expressed, with syphilitic meningitis the temperature is normal. Chills for the disease occurs if, at elevated body temperature, the temperature of the skin is reduced - this phenomenon during meningitis can also be the first sign of the disease.

Rash with meningitis in children

A characteristic rash when meningitis appears in about a quarter of cases of the disease and is almost always a sign of a meningococcal type of disease. With this variety of the disease, the bacteria damage the walls of the vessels, and 14-20 hours after the start of the disease, hemorrhagic rash appears (hemorrhage). Breaking with meningitis in children - photos and characteristic signs:

  • red or red-purple color;
  • incorrect "star" form, a tendency to merge spots;
  • when pressed on the skin the wall of the glass, the rash will not be pale, and it can be seen birching glass (this is one of the methods of diagnosis);
  • localization - on the limbs and on the sides, the appearance of the rash on the face is a very bad symptom.


Meningheal syndromes

Accurately answer the question of how to recognize meningitis in a child will help symptoms characteristic only for this disease. Meningkeal syndrome includes such signs:

  1. Muscle rigidity neck. When checking the syndrome, the doctor asks to put a child on his back, one hand slightly presses his chest, and the other - bends his head to the chest. Due to muscle rigidity, this movement for a child is painful.
  2. Reflex tension of muscles. This syndrome can be observed from a sleeping child who takes an uncharacteristic pose "Clawed Jurika" - the body is arched, the head is trapped back, the hands are pressed against the chest, the legs to the stomach.
  3. Symptom of Brudzinsky. It is checked in the position lying on the back - if the child raises his head, his legs in hip and knee joints will be rejected. With the passive bending of one foot in the hip and knee joints - the other will be resting reflexively.
  4. Symptom of kerning. Checked lying on the back - if the child bend the foot with a hip and knee joints, and then try to straighten into the knee joint - this action will not work.
  5. Symptom of woodland. If a child is raised, holding a armpit, his legs will catch up to the stomach.
  6. Symptom Flatau. With a sharp lift of the baby's head ahead from the position of lying - the pupil will occur. In this way, the signs of meningitis in children are checked mainly in babies.

Characteristic for meningitis are:

  • causes - in epileptic type or in the form of a small tremor;
  • drowsiness (observed in 70% of cases) - begins due to the oppression of the functions of the brain, in addition - the vital centers are oppressed and the patient develops shortness of breath, reduction of blood pressure;
  • excitement - can be observed at the beginning of the disease, but more often - it starts at 4-5 days, accompanied by disorientation;
  • nonsense, hallucinations, fears - symptoms of psychosis differ when different types Infections are often enhanced by increasing temperature.

Meningitis - symptoms in children up to year

Diagnose meningitis in children up to the year on the symptoms of the Burudsinsky, Kerning and Lesaja is almost impossible, since they have increased the total muscle tone, so doctors in suspected meningitis in children under the year check them on the symptom of Flatau. In addition, doctors inspect a large peal of newborns - with meningitis it is very strained, swells. Another characteristic feature of meningitis in the child of the first year of life is a hydrocephalic cry (sharp screaming against the background of infamous or confused). The sick child can:

  • cry;
  • tremble
  • too sleep too much;
  • his skin Covers pale;
  • on the head clearly appears the venous mesh.

Meningitis in children - diagnosis

Complex diagnostics of meningitis includes a survey, laboratory and instrumental research, neurological examination. When surveying the doctor finds out the available or recently past illnesses, Separately specifying the presence of such diagnoses as tuberculosis, rheumatism, syphilis. It is important to put a doctor informant if the child recently suffered influenza, otitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, subjected surgical intervention, I received injury, went to another country, received treatment with antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

Neurological examination allows you to identify the characteristic features of meningitis in children. At first, the doctor checks the symptoms of the Brudzinsky, Kerning, Lesaja, Flatau, looks, is there any muscle rigidity. In addition, soreness and sensitivity is investigated - they are enhanced with meningitis. Be sure to conduct a study of the cranial and brain nerves that are damaged when meningitis.

Instrumental research to identify the signs of meningitis in children includes the electroencephalogram and computer tomography. Number laboratory studies included common I. biochemical analyzes blood pCR method or latex test, cerebrospinal puncture, leacor analysis. The varieties of meningitis on the pathological morphology of the liquor:

  • - In the lycvore, the number of lymphocytes, the shell of the brain evepeted;
  • purulent meningitis in children - in liquor high neutrophil content, increased protein content, brain shell - purulent, compacted.

Meningitis in a child - treatment

In case the study revealed signs of meningitis in children, the patient is prescribed urgent treatment In hospital conditions. Insofar as independent treatment meningitis in children can lead to serious health consequences, prescribe drugs should qualified doctor. Meningitis therapy includes treatment aimed at:

  • the destruction of bacterial, viral or other infection;
  • elimination of brain edema and increased intracranial pressure;
  • the elimination of individual pathological symptoms is the restoration of the level of fluid, a decrease in temperature, removal of pain and convulsion, elimination of oxygen starvation.

The consequences of meningitis in children

The negative consequences of meningitis in the absence of adequate treatment may be catastrophic. Children can remain mental, auditory, speech violations, convulsive seizures, hydrocephalus, defeat facial nerves, as well as serious complications in the form of paralysis or pares, deafness, blindness, dementia. Often after transferred meningitis in a child, headaches are saved and elevated intracranial pressure, there is a delay in mental and intellectual Developmentmay develop squints, ptosis (omission of centuries), asymmetry of the face.

Prevention of meningitis in children

Preventive measures against meningitis are divided into two groups - specific and nonspecific. The first category includes vaccination:

  1. Meningococcal vaccine - Graft from meningitis for children 10-12 years old provides protection from a number pathogenic microorganismsAdditionally, it is recommended to people who attend other countries, students, recruits.
  2. Hemophilic stick vaccine in - Made children aged 2-5 months.
  3. Pneumococcal vaccine - There are two types: for children under 2 years old and for the elderly.
  4. Cory vaccines, epidemic vapotitis, chickenpox, core rubella - Made in order to minimize the risk of meningitis against the background of these diseases.

Any CNS infection in both children and adult patients are fraught with the development of subsequent complications and neurological deficit (loss of certain neuropsychiatric functions). Therefore, diagnosis I. early detection Such diseases in pediatrics are given a special place. The symptoms of meningitis in children know not only doctors of any specialty. They are known to each responsible parent who takes care of the future and the health of their children. Man has a head and spinal cord own shellwhich perform a protective and nourishing function. The following brain shells are distinguished: solid, web and soft. Infections, the development of inflammation in them leads to a clinical picture of such a disease as meningitis. The consequences of this disease in children are quite often a difficult character, causing disability due to deafness, a pronounced vision, paralysis of the muscles or the subsequent overall lag in development.

Early diagnosis of such a disease, the timely appeal to the child to the doctor and the beginning of treatment will help prevent catastrophic health effects, as well as the fatal outcome of the disease.

It is important for parents to understand how the causative agent of such a disease is transmitted (it is worth noting that meningitis can cause a whole list of various microorganisms), as well as the disease appears in the early stages of development. Allocate 2 main forms of such pathology:

  1. Purulent meningitis, which is provoked by bacteria (meningococcus, pneumococcal, etc.). They mainly fall into the body of a child with air-droplet. It is less likely to cause a purulent process in brain shells an infection that falls with a blood flow from another focus of inflammation (secondary form of the disease). Appearance purulent form Pathology is often associated with the overall exhaustion of the body, severe infection or immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  2. Serous meningitis, which occurs due to infection brain shells viruses. Most often, such a disease is secondary and is a complication of the underlying disease (herpes, influenza, enterovirus, etc.).

Signs of meningitis in children on initial stage The development of the disease does not depend on the form of pathology. Usually the child has the following complaints:

  • Strong, spilled headache, nausea and vomiting, not bringing relief. These symptoms are associated with the so-called liquoroguertensional syndrome, characterized by an increase in pressure inside the skull due to inflammation. Nausea and vomiting partially arise due to intoxication of the body. Headache is enhanced when the head is tilted down or its turns.

Strengthening headaches under slopes down and when turning - an important diagnostic feature.

  • Increased body temperature (often above 38 degrees), weakness and general ailment. These signs are characteristic of a pronounced intoxication syndrome, which, in turn, additionally aggravates nausea and vomiting caused by increased pressure Likvore.

The first signs of the disease also quite often include symptoms such as hemorrhagic or corppy rash, redness of the pharynx and almonds, a characteristic posture in bed. The presence of these manifestations directly depends on the specific causative agent, which caused meningitis. Clinical picture The rash with pronounced cerebral symptoms usually leaves no doubt about the doctor about the diagnosis of the child. However, given the diversity of pathology pathogens, concomitant diseases, we need a number of accurate diagnostic and laboratory confirmations of diagnosis in medical institution. All individuals that were in contact with the patients are also inspected and diagnosed, given the nature of the distribution and severity of meningitis.

Detected initial signs Diseases in children of any age is a reason for immediate hospitalization into an infectious office for the etiotropic (causal) and pathogenetic treatment.

Diagnosis and detection of pathological symptoms

Meningitis in children may occur at any age. Incubation period (time from infection until the first symptoms) continues from 24 to 72 hours and often depends on general status patient. Reliably recognize such inflammatory process In children up to the year, as well as at the age of 3 years or 5, only a doctor will be able to conduct a whole complex diagnostic studies. This requires:

  1. Laboratory study of the liquor after the global puncture of the spinal cord. Exactly cellular composition The spinal fluid, washing the head and spinal cord, allows not only to establish a diagnosis of meningitis, but even helps to determine its etiology (cause of development) and form (purulent or serous). The predominance of lymphocytes will indicate the serous inflammation, and neutrophils are purulent.
  2. Microbiological research of liquor Usually makes it possible to finally answer the question of the causative agent, which caused the disease in the child, and at the same time evaluate its sensitivity to antibiotics.
  3. Evaluation of meningeal signs(symptoms of irritation of brain shells). In domestic medicine, such signs are traditionally estimated as:
  • Rigidity of the occipital muscles. When trying to passive leads to the head to chest The doctor feels elastic muscular resistance. Sometimes the child himself can complain to such a phenomenon.
  • The symptom of the Brudzinsky top, manifests itself during the assessment of the muscle rigidity, the backbone in the form of involuntary bending of the legs and bringing the leg to the stomach in the position lying on the back.
  • The symptom of Brudzinsky - at a pressure on the pubic area there is a spontaneous bending of legs in the knee joints.
  • The symptom of the Burtzinsky Nizhny - the bending of one lower limb baby in the knee and tazobed Susta Causes spontaneous movements in another lower limb.
  • If you bend the baby's leg in the hip joint, and then try to break into your knee, the muscles of the back of the thigh group will arise, which will not allow the limb completely - a positive symptom of Kerniga.

Knowledge how to determine the main meningkeal signswill help parents in time to draw attention to the development of severe infectious pathology in children. The child over 10 years old should also be ignored by the symptoms of headaches, stiffness of neck and nausea.

Quite often, due to the fact that adults do not perceive such signs seriously in adolescents, and the detection of the disease occurs, in which treatment is more difficult.


Evaluation of the composition of the liquor, as well as blood and urine will allow the doctor not only to determine the disease, but also to evaluate the functions of all internal organs. The spinal fluid is obtained by conducting special manipulation - lumbar puncture (less often subocital). It is obtained by liquor by an intervertebral puncture in the lower back area using a special needle passing through a solid brain sheath. Conducts such manipulation only the doctor. Upon receipt of fluid, approximate pressure is estimated (by how the lycvore follows from the enlightenment of the needle for puncture), as well as the following characteristics:

  1. Color and transparency. Normally, the liquor is transparent. His white painting speaks about purulent process, bloody - about possible hemorrhage in the brain, etc.
  2. Viscosity.
  3. Sediment and opalescence.

A more detailed conclusion about the cell and protein composition of the spinal fluid gives a laboratory after a series of studies and samples. A pretty quickly, the doctor receives the results of the analysis, which indicate the presence of meningitis, as well as its form and data on the potential pathoge.

Nevertheless, the analysis of the liquor cannot significantly distinguish pneumococcal meningitis in children, for example, from meningococcal, which will also cause purulent inflammation of the brain shells. For this, the cerebrospinal fluid is subjected to a whole row microbiological studies (collapse in gram, sowing on nutrient media, serological reactions). The results of such a diagnosis, unfortunately, are not fast and require 5-10 days to obtain reliable data. However, it is often how it is often depends on how to adjust the treatment of a child already taking into account the knowledge of a particular causativeness of the disease.

Permanent monitoring of clinical indicators of blood and urine, as well as biochemical markers allows the doctor to judge the general condition of the child and the functions of its bodies in the treatment process.

With the development of meningococcal sepsis and other variants of generalized infectious processes, laboratory indicators allow you to control the effectiveness of treatment and make a forecast for the state of the child.

Principles of elimination of symptoms and treatment of the disease

Infectious meningitis always requires treatment prescribing physicians as early as possible. Therefore, at the stage of diagnostics, when it becomes clear, about what form of the disease is being seen, both etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy and symptomatic treatment for facilitating the general state of the child are actively used. After the diagnosis is established, the treatment of the disease is carried out by the following groups of drugs:

  • Antibiotics with purulent meningitis. It is the appointment of antibiotics wide spectrum actions (empirical antibiotic therapy) and subsequent adjustment of the prescribed drug, taking into account the sensitivity of the causative agent of the disease to it allow good results. Meningococcal meningitis, which is perhaps the most common, requires the appointment of penicillin in high dosages by happy administration. Tuberculosis meningitis requires special treatment Whole complex of antimicrobial means. Antibiotics are not prescribed only in the case of a serous form of pathology.
  • Diuretics with different mechanism of action. Their task is to reduce elevated intracranial pressure, prevent swelling and inserting the brain. In addition to loop diuretics, in this case, it is advisable to appoint also osmotic drugs.
  • Infusion therapy lies in the appointment of drugs that improve rheological properties blood reduced intoxication, as well as corrective plasma ion composition. Additionally, the solutions of vitamins and metabolites are used for overall maintaining homeostasis.

Thus, when eliminating the symptoms of the disease to the first role in the case of purulent meningitis Leaves etiotropic treatment and direct destruction of the causative agent of the disease. If this is a serous version of the disease, the main task of doctors is to support the child's body and stop heavy symptoms infectious process. Given the high probability of development neurological symptoms, infectious and toxic shock, convulsive syndromeThe treatment of children with meningitis of any etiology is carried out in the conditions of chambers intensive therapy Infectious departments or special children's resuscitation chambers.

On time the identified symptoms and treatment, started immediately - the key to the rapid and complete recovery of children who are diagnosed with any kind of meningitis.

Prevention of the occurrence of the disease

Considering the dangers that such a disease and health is in itself, the question is to the doctor about how to protect the child from meningitis. Knowing the causes of the development of this pathology in childhood, medical science Developed certain measures to prevent disease.

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Meningitis is a disease associated with inflammation of the shells of the head and spinal cord. The etiology of this disease can be different, but the symptoms of different species, as a rule, similar.

It is believed that children are most susceptible to this disease. therefore website I decided to remind my parents about how to recognize meningitis in a child and what kind of symptoms should pay attention to first.

Sudden fever

One of the signs of meningitis is a fever that begins suddenly. The child begins to tremble and complains that he is cold all the time.

The patient quickly rises the temperature, knocking down that is not easy. But since this symptom is a sign of a variety of diseases, you should pay attention to other features in changing the condition of the child.

Strong headache

Meningite's headache is often not just strong, but practically unbearable. At the same time, pain often paints the patient's neck, but due to the fact that the head of the patient literally "splits", he may not pay attention to it.

In newborns characteristic sign Also is bulging in the field of spring.

Twist in the eyes

Sick meningitis cannot focus the vision, because of which the image in the eyes is constantly split.

Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

Patient with meningitis loses appetite. This is partly due to the constant nausea, which can be accompanied by pain in the abdomen and vomiting.

Photosensitivity

Another sign of meningitis is the fear of bright light, because of which the eyes begin to get away their eyes, as well as the nausea and headache.

Rigidity of the occipital muscles

The child is sick with meningitis in a special recognizable position: lying on the side with a trapped head and bent feet. When trying to break the neck, he often does not come out.

The inability to break the legs

Even if it turns out to tilt the head of the child to the chest, he immediately bends in his knees of the legs, to break which is impossible in this position. it

Arriving physician you need to tell about all the symptoms discovered. It is not categorically recommended to refuse hospitalization in suspected meningitis, as it is possible to effectively deal with it only in stationary conditions.

Meningitis is a specific disease of the cerebral shell, affecting the CNS. The inflammation of the brain shells is due to the introduction of microbial agents (viral, bacterial). Changes in the brain shell can lead to low immunity, chronic diseases, abnormal development of the skull.

Causes of meningitis in children

The main cause of the disease is specific agents that affect the brain shell. The most common infectious agents are:

  • Viruses: Adenoviruses, influenza virus, measles, rubella, herpetic viruses (in particular chickenpox).
  • Bacteria. It can be meningococcus, a variety of types of staphylococcus and streptococcus, syphilis pathogens, pneumococcus.
  • Fungi (cryptococcus).
  • Simplest (Toxoplasm).

In different age groups There is a predominance of one or another pathogen as the causes of meningitis. Such regularities are observed:

  • Newborn Rarely sick meningitis. This kind of disease can transmit intrauterine from the mother to the fetus. This is usually a herpety or toxoplasma infection.
  • In infantsmeningitis is due to the immunodeficiency virus or congenital syphilis.
  • In children under the year The causative agent is often such bacterium as Meningokok.
  • IN school age Staphylococcal and streptococcus bacteria prevail.
  • In teenagers Wide spectrum of pathogens. Also, the diagnosis of the tuberculosis process with the lesion of the brain is not excluded.

Ways of infection with meningitis

Most infectious agents are transmitted by air-droplet. That is, when communicating with a sick person of any age, a child can pick up the disease. Bacterial meningitis is transmitted by using common things: toys, dishes, etc.

The development of meningitis contributes:

  • Chronic diseases of ENT organs (adenoitis, sinusitis, otitis).
  • (skull development anomalies).
  • B. oezznia oral cavity (carious teeth in children).

All these reasons reduce the immune system of the baby and allow you to freely penetrate the agents in the brain area.

Meningitis in children: classification

Table number 1. Classification of meningitis in children.

Classification Types of meningitis
By the nature of development By the nature of the development of meningitis happens Primary and secondary.

Primary meningitis manifests itself independently, without any infectious causeshitting the brain.

Table number 2. Types of meningitis in children.

Views Why arises? How does children manifest?
Viral meningitis This type of meningitis is the most common and arises due to the ingress of viral agents (most often enteroviruses) in the body. The virus can penetrate the body after contact with the sick person. High temperature 38-40 degrees.

Fever.

Vomiting, nausea.

Failure to eat, as the infection first enters the intestines, and then into blood.

Purulent meningitis Caused by the hemophilic stick bacteria, pneumococcal and meningococcus. Transmitted through household items. There is due to the infection of the ENT-organs (sinusitis, otitis), CMT (cranial injury). Skiddy. It's difficult to breathe.

Headaches in the T-shaped area of \u200b\u200bthe forehead.

High temperature, chills and heat.

It's hard to climb from the bed.

Dizziness.

Tuberculosis Meningitis Development can contribute to plerites, bone damage, kidneys. Less often change the lungs, lymph nodes. Tuberculosis meningitis proceeds gradually. First, lethargy is observed, drowsiness. Then bradycardia, screaming, lights.
Serous Meningitis Manifested by Esno viruses or cokes. Rarely cause adenoviruses. Also serous meningitis is manifested with tuberculosis, syphilis, measles, HIV. Absolute fatigue.

Washing legs, lethargy.

Increased rates of up to 40 degrees 2-3 days.

Strong headache.

Meningococcal Meningitis The causative agent is a gram-negative diplococcus. The consequences of this meningitis can lead to disabilities or lethal outcome. High temperature up to 40 degrees.

Strong and acute headache.

Failure.

Nausea, vomiting.

Rigidity of the occipital muscles.

How to determine the meningitis in a child: specific symptoms

Meningitis is manifested in different ways, since its pathogens are different groups of microorganisms and microbes, but the first symptoms of the disease are almost always similar.

The first symptoms of meningitis:

  • Heat.
  • Bluish nasolabial triangle.
  • Lost, pain in the muscles and joints.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Non-fat feeling thirst.
  • In severe cases, low blood pressure.

Meningitis is quite characteristic, so parents can carry out some manipulations to clarify the diagnosis at home.

When meningitis, the following symptoms are observed:

  • The rigidity of the occipital muscles - This is when the child is difficult or not completely impossible to bend the head.
  • Symptom of kergiga. The inability to break the knees in the bent state. "Incoverness" of the joints.
  • Symptoms of woodland. In young children, the symptoms of the disease are not so pronounced. Therefore, therefore examine a large spring. He swells and bulges, also felt ripple and tension in this area. The symptom of the forest is checked by the posture of the "Legal Dog". This is when the crumb takes the armpit, and he throws his head back and pressing the legs. Thus, they reduce pain syndrome.
  • Symptoms of Brudzinsky. This symptom is characterized by an involuntary flexion of hip and knee joints. For this patient put on the back and asking to tilt their head to the chest. When you put this knee manipulation involuntarily bend.

In children up to the year and older meningitis can manifest itself not so distinctly, but some "calls" allow you to find a disease on early stages.

Table number 3. Signs of meningitis in kids up to a year and children over 1 year old.

Age Symptoms of meningitis
Children up to the year In children under the year, the symptoms are manifested in the article, but also should pay attention to such signs:

· Sleepiness, apathy.

· Diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation.

· Food rejection.

· Pulsation Spring. You can see the naked eye if you pay attention to it.

· Permanent tightening and vomiting.

Children older than 1 year With inflammation of the cerebral shell in children, older than the year is observed:

· Reducing vision. Painfully watch. The kid constantly closes his eyes. Strabismus.

· Vomiting, not bringing relief.

· Eclipse of consciousness, disorientation.

· Low pressure.

· Headache.

· Causes.

Diagnosis of meningitis in children: types of analyzes and surveys

Important!

Meningitis - urgent disease. The patient should be immediately hospitalized. At home this kind of disease is not cured. Otherwise, the death of man is possible.

To diagnose meningitis, children make the following analyzes and surveys:

  • Blood test.The result of the analysis will show leukocytosis with a shift to the left, increased ESP.
  • Licvore study (lumbar puncture). Likvor is recruited in three different tubes, delivered to the laboratory for two hours, not later. When meningitis, the study shows an increased protein content and glucose reduction.
  • Bacteriological analysis. For this study, the material from the nasopharynx, liquor, urine and fall on the nutrient media take place.
  • Serural blood surveys. Due to this analysis, the presence of specific antibodies.
  • CT, radiography. Performed for full comprehensive examination Patient for meningitis with others pathological conditions. Headset swelling, tumor, hemorrhage.
  • The newborn to the appointment of doctors makes an analysis through the spring (), as well as MRI brain and EEG.

Before designating qualitative treatment, the doctor needs to understand the etiology of the disease. Each type of meningitis (bacterial, viral) has its own characteristics in prescribing drugs. That is why doctors prescribe a wide range of surveys for the formulation of an accurate diagnosis.

Today meningitis is treated, but should be treated as soon as possible for help, in order not to allow the hearth disease "ignite" in children's body. After all, the consequences of this illness are disappointing for the health and full existence of the baby.

Specialists about the signs of meningitis in children

Infectiousist A.A. Astapov:

Meningitis disease begins suddenly in a healthy child on the eve of a child when it has a temperature of up to 39-40 0 S. In some cases, the disease may occur against the background of the nasopharynx inflammation when the child has a temperature to 38 0 s, malaise and nasal congestion, But without cough and abundant mucous discharge from the nose. Parents, as a rule, indicate not only a day, but also an hour of the beginning of the disease. The baby becomes sluggish, capricious, restless, refuses to eat, does not calm down even on the hands of the mother. The greater the mother "shakes" the child, the stronger he cries and capricious. The maternal contact with the child is lost and on the figurative expression of some mothers "the baby becomes none." Older children complain about strong headache. Very soon, children appears vomiting, which is not related to the welcome and after vomiting the child does not become easier. When vomiting appears, then start thinking about food poisoningBut the child has no hiring in stomach and diarrhea. Doctors, most often, are diagnosed in the season, namely: flu with hyperthermia, if the flu epidemic, and in other cases - ARVI with neurotoxicosis, offer surveys and treatment in the hospital. But quite often, parents refuse hospitalization, motivating the fact that the child became easier, since he dropped the temperature after the introduction of the antipyretic. Parents independently can not be given acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) to reduce the temperature, which is generally prohibited to apply in children's practice.

However, it should be paid to the fact that the well-being of a child Despite the decrease in temperature to subfebrile numbers remains the same and after a few hours the temperature to high digits will increase again. After 10-18 hours from the beginning of the disease, 8 out of 10 children on the skin begins to appear pink rash, which increases in size, and dark points appear in the center of these elements as a result of hemorrhage into the skin. With this form of illness, the child may die during the day.

Pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky:

Consider now the most typical situations, each of which does not allow to eliminate the development of meningitis.

    If on the background of any infectious disease - Orz, windmills, measles, pigs, rubella, "fever" on the lips, etc. - perhaps, not at the beginning of the disease (even more often it is not at the beginning) an intense headache appears, so strong that she worries more than All other symptoms, if the headache is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

    In all cases when on the background increased temperature Bodies There are back pain and neck, increasing when head moving.

    Sleepiness, confused, nausea, vomiting.

    Cramps of any intensity and every duration.

    Children of the first year of life - fever + monotonous crying + swelling of the spring.

    Any (!!!) rash against the background of elevated temperature.

In addition to symptoms described above Some reflexes are changed in a completely definite, and only a doctor can detect it.
It is important to remember and understand that such frequent symptoms, like vomiting, nausea and headache in obligatory Require a medical examination - God is escaped.
Any rash against the background of elevated temperature may be meningochemia. You (or your smart neighbors) can be in confidence that it is rubella, cort or "diathesis". But the doctor should see a rash, and the faster, the better. If the elements of the rash have the type of hemorrhage if new rashes appear quickly, if it is accompanied by vomiting and high temperatures - Any chance should be used in order for the patient immediately to be in the hospital, it is desirable immediately in infectious. Remember: when meningockemia, the account is not on the clock, but for moments.

Among dangerous childhood diseases that entail heavy complicationsOne of the leading places is meningitis. Symptoms in children are not always pronounced, disguised as signs of other, more innocuous diseases, which greatly makes the diagnosis.

How to recognize pathology in the early stages in children of different agesWhat organism specific reactions are manifested - we will talk about all this today.

Most likely, in childhood you often had to hear the phrase from parents that if you walk without a hat in winter, you can get sick with meningitis. But the development of meningitis is no means associated with the presence of a hat on the head or its absence.

The supercooling can serve as a trigger, but the root cause of the disease is not.

Most often, Meningitis is sick of kids under the age of 5 years. The incidence of children is about 80%. Older guys (up to 14 years) are not so subject to the disease - only in 10 cases out of 100,000 diagnose this disease in adolescents.

Meningitis is an inflammatory process in brain shells of a dorsal or brain. Transmitted by air droplet from an infected person, or an infection carrier. The most dangerous contacts with severely ill people in the first days of the disease.

According to the nature of inflammation, meningitis is purulent and serous, can flow in acute or chronic form.

Most often, the disease is diagnosed in children under 4 years of age, the peak of the disease falls on 3-8 months of the life of the kid. Even with timely medical care. female outcome - 5-30%, more than 30% of children after recovery have severe neurological disorders.

The first signs of meningitis in children

The incubation period is 2-10 days, the first signs of meningitis in children are manifested for 4-6 days after infection.

How does meningitis begins:

  • sharp rise in temperature strong vomit, there are signs of pronounced dehydration - symptoms are characteristic of serous Meningitis;
  • the child throws his head strongly, wounds back:
  • svetuboyazn, intolerance of sharp sounds;
  • the skin becomes pale, the nasolabial triangle is blue;
  • shortness of breath, pulse cheating;
  • strong headache, discomfort is enhanced by pressing on the upper lip, the central part of the forehead, eyelids;
  • strong thirst, rejection of food;
  • diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating - similar symptoms appear if pathogenic viruses penetrated the body with food, water;
  • break in the form of large spots.

When at least one of these signs appears, urgently call ambulanceEven if it is not meningitis, similar symptoms arise in other serious and dangerous diseases.

How does the disease occur in children up to year

One of the main signs of meningitis in the kids up to the year is to drink a large springs.

How to recognize meningitis in children up to year:

  • symptom of Lesza - If you raise the baby's armpits, he reflexively guide his head, pulls his legs to the stomach;
  • , jumping;
  • the child is excited, constantly crying, due to the increased skin sensitivity, any touch causes pain;
  • high temperature that is not reduced after receiving antipyretic agents;
  • convulsions;
  • reduced muscle tone;
  • on the mucous, rash appears;
  • possible loss of consciousness.

Meningitis is very dangerous for young children - the disease develops rapidly, the child's condition deteriorates with every minute, aggravates the situation to strong dehydration.

Signs of illness in children older than the year

To independently recognize dangerous diseaseYou can carry out an easy preliminary diagnosis.

One of the main symptoms of pathology - the child can not raise his head, reach the chin to the chest due to the hypertonus of the cervical muscles.

If you try to tilt your head to the chest, the baby has involuntarily bend the legs in the knees, with the inflammation of the brain shells, the child cannot completely straighten before bending leg In the knee and hip joint.

Signs of brain inflammation:

  • when you press the cheek under the cheek shoulders are involuntarily raised;
  • in the position lying on the back pull out one leg, the second limb will also rise involuntarily;
  • when you press on the pubic area, both legs are pulsed;
  • the child complains of a strong headache, the noise in the ears, hides under the blanket, he is unpleasant bright light, loud sounds;
  • increased temperature lasts a few days, falls and rises again;
  • the body appears in the form of bright red, burgundy single or group spots, the skin becomes very sensitive;
  • the kid of rags in a dream, chills appears, convulsive symptom.

After 5 years, the first signs of meningitis can be respiratory symptoms - Redness of the throat, pain when swallowing.

Additionally, there is a confusion of consciousness, the child cannot answer simple questions, rags, eye proteins acquire a yellowish tint, face swells, blushes, muscular hypertonus is observed.

Meningit in adolescence

In adolescents, meningitis often begins with meningococcal Naphorgitis - back wall the pharynx becomes a grainy, acquires a bluish-crimson shade, which is distinguished by dangerous pathology from the usual viral form of the disease.

Other characteristic signs:

  • heat,
  • weakness,
  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness attacks
  • unbearable headache
  • nose is stuffed,
  • the voice becomes hoarse.

In many respects, meningitis is similar to a conventional cold, to put an accurate diagnosis will help the analysis of the spinal fluid.

Methods of prevention

Most effective method Prevention - grafting from meningitis to children. Unfortunately, it is not included in the list of mandatory events, so you will have to acquire a vaccine yourself. Lower the risk of infection helps some planned vaccinations.


What vaccinations and vaccines can protect from meningitis:

  1. MeningoACW., MeningokokovyeA., A.+ C., A.+ C.+ Y.+ W.135 Immunity is produced within 14 days, persists for 3-4 years. Many children do notize these vaccines poorly, but complications from vaccinations are incompaired with the consequences of meningitis. Vaccination is carried out aged 9 months to 2 years, depending on the type of vaccine, the epidemiological situation in the region.
  2. Hemophilic stick vaccine, immunization is carried out simultaneously with by vaccinating DCMost often used Pentaxim.
  3. Vaccine from pneumococcal meningitis - In the planned order, they make children who often and for a long time are bronchitis. Immunization can be carried out from 2 months to 5 years. Prepare Preventer 13, it is necessary to enter it 4 times. If your baby is not included in the risk group, you will have to pay a vaccine.
  4. Trivaccine from rubella, measles and vapotitis, vaccination from pneumococcus, wind spa - These vaccinations do not directly protect the child from meningitis, but significantly reduce the risk of infection with a dangerous disease.

All children who in contact with patients with meningitis, I make chemoprophylaxis in the infectious compartment - spend a short course antibacterial therapy With the preparations of a wide range of action. Children are 10 days under the supervision of the doctor, they have blood for general and biochemical analysis every day.

To avoid infection, regularly strengthen the child's immunity, walk more, ventilate the room, make a wet cleaning more often.

Since many dangerous bacteria penetrate the body with dirty hands, from an early age, teach the baby often and well wash your hands, use antibacterial sprays and napkins.

Conclusion

Meningitis - a dangerous disease for a child, which can cause the backlog in mental and physical Development, the development of other heavy complications.

Tell us in the comments that you think about vaccination against meningitis, you had to deal with this disease.