Flatulence in children

Flatulence, or increased formation of gases inside the intestine, can not be called a disease: it is just a symptom that indicates any malfunction in the digestive tract. The formation and accumulation of gases occurs in a healthy person - although in small quantities, which does not cause a sense of discomfort and pain. Particular anxiety usually causes flatulence in children. This condition can occur for many reasons, without determining which can not begin to treat the child.

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Causes of the flatulence in the child

Flatulence in children of different ages occurs as a result of the accumulation of air or gas bubbles in the intestine. This can lead to such reasons as the ingress of air into the stomach during meals, the use of gas-forming food, the processes of fermentation of food masses.

The most common probable causes can be identified in the following list:

• presence in the diet of a large amount of carbohydrate food and baking (plenty of sugar and yeast);
• pathology of digestion of food (inadequate isolation of enzymes necessary for complete digestion of food elements);
• violation of bacterial balance in the intestine (dysbacteriosis);
• weakness of the muscular system of the intestine (atony, helminthic invasion).

In addition, children with easily excitable nervous system are prone to colic and increased gas production. So, with a tendency to hysterics and irritability, excitation can be transmitted to the digestive tract, which is usually manifested by poor digestion of food and, as a consequence, flatulence.

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Symptoms of the flatulence in the child

The meteorism is characterized by the following features:

• a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
• internal pressure in the abdomen;
• spastic pain;
• a visual increase in the abdomen.

In children, this condition can be accompanied by hiccups, an unpleasant eructation, increased sweating. If the gas is successfully removed, all of the above symptoms go away.

What is the difference between flatulence in an infant? The fact is that the child, by virtue of his age, is not yet able to explain to an adult what exactly is bothering him. Therefore, it is very important that parents, for their subjective and objective reasons, independently be able to determine the cause of discomfort in the child.

During intestinal colic, the baby is capricious, worried, twitching, and crying ceaselessly. Sometimes the appearance of flatulence is associated with a recent meal, most often in the evening or at night.

• Flatulence in a month-old baby is a very common phenomenon, which can be of much concern to inexperienced parents. Approximately from birth to five months, the digestive tract of the baby adapts to the digestion of food: an intestinal microflora is formed, and the production of enzymes is established. Often imperfect while the intestine is not capable to cope with an abundance of pathogenic flora, therefore it reacts on a dysbacteriosis by the raised gas formation and intestinal cramps.

In addition, a fairly common cause of flatulence in infants is the ingestion of air during feeding. This can happen:

• when the baby is not correctly applied to the chest, when he grasps not the entire areola, but only the nipple;
• at an inconvenient position of the kid during feeding;
• when the bottle is incorrectly positioned and air gets into the nipple;
• with an incorrectly selected nipple (too large flow, too stiff, inelastic nipple);
• when feeding a crying and restless child.

In order to minimize the discomfort of the baby from getting air into the digestive system, it is recommended to give it a vertical position after feeding, until the baby does not regurgitate the accumulated air. Usually this happens in 5-20 minutes.

If the baby is breastfed, the appearance of a flatulence may be due to errors in the feeding of the nursing mother. It's not a secret that many substances present in foodstuffs, with milk, fall into the child.

If the abdominal distension appeared in a baby who is on artificial feeding, the reasons can be as follows:

• unsuitable mixture;
• poor quality or unadapted mixture;
• lactose intolerance in a child.

To solve this problem, you should consult a pediatrician for a competent replacement of the formula for another.

• Flatulence in a child 1 year is no longer associated with the imperfection of the gastrointestinal tract. At this age, the formation of digestive organs is completely complete: enzymes for digesting food are ready, the intestine is in most cases stable. A feature is a rapid development of the intestine and an increase in the volume of the stomach. Flatulence at this age can be triggered by nutritional errors (especially if the baby is already fed from an "adult" table), little motor activity and emotional overload. For example, excessive excitability and a tendency to hysterics can lead to improper operation of the stomach and intestines, as a result of which the food is poorly digested and causes flatulence.
• The flatulence in a child of 3 years is much less likely than at an earlier age. The reasons for abdominal distention may be different, because such children can already eat food containing a large amount of starch and fiber, or drink soda water, which is also capable of causing flatulence. To help the child and prevent gassing, you need to monitor what foods he eats. You can see a link after what food a bloating occurs. For example, "gaziks" may bother after eating baby bread, sweets, milk, as well as when combining carbohydrate and protein foods. If there is no such connection, then it is possible to suspect a dysbacteriosis or other problems of the digestive system. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is better to consult a doctor.
• Flatulence in children of 5 years can be associated with a constant expansion of the diet. When choosing products for a 5-year-old child, it is necessary to take into account the age features, because the digestive system of the baby is still sensitive to the composition of the dishes and the diet. Therefore, the choice of products should be carefully planned.

If the father and mother do not sufficiently control the children's diet, then at this age the baby can develop pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Subsequently, this can lead not only to flatulence, but also to other problems associated with poor digestion and assimilation of food.

Why in the 5-year-old age there can be a bloating:

• at wrong combination of products;
• when consuming a large number of sweets or soda water;
• with milk intolerance;
• at overeating;
• when the diet is not respected (for example, too short intervals between meals);
• when eating a lot of raw fruits and vegetables.

It is advisable to prepare the menu for the child in advance, in time to think over all the nuances of nutrition in order to avoid flatulence.

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Diagnostics of the flatulence in the child

For diagnosis of flatulence, sometimes it is enough to follow the nutrition of the child. The exclusion of certain foods from the diet and the establishment of an alimentary regime often helps to get rid of the problem. However, in some cases it is necessary to resort to analysis and research.

• Analysis of feces - will help to identify dysbacteriosis, helminths and their eggs. Also, the study of stools indicates the presence of elements of blood or undigested food particles, which gives an idea of the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract.
• A blood test - can detect signs of inflammation in the body, or anemia, which is often associated with poor assimilation of food.
• Hydrogen test - determines the quality of digestion of carbohydrates and the tolerability of lactose.
• Probing of the stomach and colonoscopy - are carried out with suspicion of intestinal obstruction.
• Enzyme tests - evaluate the enzymatic activity of the digestive system (ability to digest food).

When making a diagnosis, one should also take into account possible problems with the child's nervous system, endocrine disorders, helminthic invasions, the presence of foci of infection in the body, etc. Depending on the cause, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

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Treatment of the flatulence in the child

Flatulence in children is treated depending on the age of the child and the cause of the disease.

In relation to infants, in whom flatulence is associated with imperfection of the digestive system and air intake from outside, it is recommended to apply the following rules:

• Immediately after feeding, give the baby a vertical position for 10-15 minutes, so that he regains the accumulated air;
• regular massage of the tummy clockwise, approximately 1.5-2 hours after eating;
• Before feeding, put the baby on his tummy - thus the accumulated bubbles will come out on their own;
• To apply a heated diaper or a non-heating hot water bottle;
• allow the child to fall asleep belly to the abdomen of the mother or father;
• with a large accumulation of gases put a gas pipe: this tube is sold in a pharmacy, or it can be made independently from a child's enema. The tube should be put extremely neatly, pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly, so as not to damage the delicate baby skin;
• with the permission of the doctor to give the baby infusion of fennel or chamomile. There are also special teas for small children (for example, tea HIPP, "Grandma's basket", etc.).

Often small children are prescribed drugs that neutralize gaseous vesicles in the intestine. As a rule, these drugs are based on simethicone - a substance that can bind "gazik" and dissolve, or remove them from the body. Simethicone is absolutely safe even for newborn babies, since it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is unchanged when taken with the calves. Among such preparations, Colicides, Espumizan, Infakol, Bobotik and others are the most common.

A good effect is the medicinal products on a plant basis, with the addition of chamomile, fennel, anise. Such drugs include Baby kalm, Plantex, Bebinos, and others.

If the child is diagnosed with dysbiosis, in most cases Bifiform Baby, Latsidofil, Linex, Lactovit forte can help him. You can take such medications only after consulting a pediatrician.

For convenience, we have compiled a small table, which describes the most well-known preparations for flatulence in children, as well as their dosage and method of application.

Name of the drug	Dosing and Administration	Special instructions
Coliform suspension	Children under 1 year: 0.5 ml of the drug at one time, mixed in water or milk. Children from 1 year: 1 ml of the drug at the reception. Children from six years: 1-2 ml per reception.	Children under 12 years of age are given colitis only in the form of a suspension.
Espumizan	Breastfeeding and children under 6 years: no more than 1 tsp. At one time. Children from 6 years: from 1 to 2 hours. At one time.	In childhood, the drug is used in the form of an emulsion.
Bobotik	Breastfeeding and children under 6 years: 16 drops per meal, dissolved in milk or water. Children under 14 years: up to 32 drops at a time. Frequency of reception: up to 5 times in 24 hours.	Do not use with intestinal obstruction.
Infacol	Assign only breast babies to 1/2 ml before each meal. Duration of admission is determined by the doctor.	Use with caution when the baby is addicted to allergies.
Baby Calm	Take 10 drops before feeding, diluted with boiled water according to the instructions.	Used only for the treatment of flatulence in children under 1 year.
Plantex	From birth to 1 year: up to 2 bags per day, 3 times. Children from 1 year to 4 years: up to 3 bags for 3 times. The granules are dissolved in warm boiled water.	Do not use for lactase deficiency and impaired glucose uptake.
Baby clothes	The product is dissolved in water. Children under 1 year: from 3 to 6 drops three times a day. Children under 6 years: up to 10 drops three times a day. Children after 6 years: up to 15 drops three times a day.	Do not administer to children with sorbitol intolerance.
Bifiform	Mix the contents of the capsule with food (mixture, milk). Children 2-6 months: 1/2 capsule once a day. From six months to 2 years: 1 capsule once a day. From 2 years: twice a day for 1 capsule. Suspension Bifiform baby is appointed from birth in the amount of ½ ml per day. The duration of therapy is up to 20 days.	Ready suspension Bifiform baby should be used for 14 days.
Lactovit forte	Children from six months to 2 years: 1 capsule per day, dissolved in milk or water. Children from 2 years: 2 capsules per day, preferably before meals.	It is not prescribed for children under 6 months, as well as for patients with lactose intolerance.
Latsidofil	The contents of the capsule are bred in food or water. Newborns and children under 3 years: 1 capsule every other day. Children from 3 years: 1 capsule daily. The duration of therapy is 3 weeks.	If necessary, dosage can be increased.
Lineks	Breast and toddlers up to 2 years: 1 capsule three times a day. Children under 12 years: up to 2 capsules three times a day.	The drug is added to the liquid or tea.

If the child has flatulence, do not offer him food: this will further exacerbate discomfort. Give him water or tea, calm him.

When the swelling is reduced, you can feed the baby, but little by little, avoiding overfeeding.

If, after all measures taken, flatulence does not go away, you should definitely show your child to the doctor.

Prevention

In order to avoid the appearance of increased gas formation in the child, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules:

• if necessary, limit the use of legumes, carbonated water, cabbage, sweets, buns (baby or lactating mother);
• It is worth explaining to the older child how important it is to thoroughly chew food;
• take food slowly;
• it is desirable to make a diet and adhere to it: it will allow to adjust digestion and avoid overeating;
• for good digestion of food you need to lead an active lifestyle, support motor activity, engage in physical education;
• infants for the prevention of flatulence can give dill, tea from fennel or chamomile (after consulting a doctor);
• For older children, tea with mint leaves will be useful for preventive purposes.

If flatulence does appear, the simple methods of treatment described above will help a child of any age. The main thing is to pay attention in time to the problem of the baby.

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Forecast

Talk about the prognosis of flatulence in a child can only be after the cause of increased gas formation is established. In the vast majority of cases, the problem of flatulence is solved by the means listed above. In some situations, it may be necessary to correct nutrition, stabilize the bacterial balance of the intestinal flora.

If a lactase deficiency is detected in a baby, then if the products with lactose content are discarded, the state of the digestive system is usually normalized.

In disorders of the nervous system may require the assistance of a child neurologist.

In difficult cases, for example, with intestinal obstruction, sometimes resort to surgical intervention. The prognosis in this situation depends on the timeliness of seeking medical help, as well as on the competence and professionalism of the treating doctor.

Flatulence in children is, in most cases, still a physiological process. This is especially true for babies. However, at the slightest doubt and with a suspicion of a disease, it is absolutely necessary to contact a pediatric specialist.

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