What to know about tuberculosis in children

Tuberculosis in children is an out-of-lung tuberculosis with common lymphadenopathy such as cervical lymph nodes, inguinal lymph nodes, axillary lymph nodes. The disease is non-contagious and non-fatal. When young children become infected or allergic, the lymph nodes will be large in size. Lymph nodes in babies or young children are generally larger than the ganglia of adults, which are easily recognizable by palpation.

1. Causes of lymphadenopathy in babies and young children

The cause of lymphadenopathy in babies and young children can be caused by the body reacting to various things. In cases of infection such as pharyngitis, gingivitis, the lymph nodes may also become larger than usual. They may also be larger in response to viral infections such as lymphadenitis. Swollen lymph nodes at all times may be associated with eczema.

In children, cancer is also the cause of lymphadenopathy, but this is very rare. Lymph nodes can persist for more than 1 month after the end of the infection.

Tuberculosis in children usually appears in the neck area. Common inflammatory lymph nodes (due to damage to the gums, mouth, nose … ) is a place where TB bacteria easily penetrate, zone and lead to tuberculosis.

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are mainly mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium.

Is tuberculosis curable?

Tuberculosis usually occurs in the neck area

2. Intrusive routes of tuberculosis in children

Tuberculosis bacterium can penetrate directly into the lymphatic line through tb damage in the oral mucosa, or from a normal lesion caused by trauma, infection. Bacterium tuberculosis through the oral mucosa enters the lymphatic path (the first tb), which can also penetrate the lymphatic system through the oral mucosa without leaving a trace. In addition, tuberculosis bacterium can cause multiple lymphadenitis.

3. Manifestations of tuberculosis in children

Tuberculosis in children is divided into several bodies with different signs and developments. Common signs of tuberculosis in children can be mentioned as enlarged lymph nodes in the neck area, one or more lymph nodes may appear. The lymph nodes appear enlarged, do not cause pain and are very firm. The skin in the lymph nodes is swollen, not hot, does not redden.

The development of tuberculosis in children takes place through 3 stages

  • Common lymphadenitis: No inflammation around the lymph nodes, usually in the area under the jaw or edge of the neck there are one or more enlarged lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are hard, press painless, can be mobile under the skin. It is possible that the lymph node stops only at this stage or moves to the inflammatory stage around the lymph node.
  • Lymphadenitis and inflammation around the lymph nodes: The lymph nodes swell enlarge and gather in one mass, many lumps attached deep to the skin due to inflammation around the lymph nodes. Initially the lymph nodes are hard, press painlessly, then soften and turn bright. The skin may become ulcerative, purulent leakage is light blue, non-sticky, in pus with bean pulp. The probe has a purple bank, peeling off, which can cause pervasive lymphadenitis. After the lymphadenopathy has been eliminated, it is difficult for the probe to leave keloids, white lumps or fibrous ligaments. Tuberculosis in children does not affect children's health except in cases of multiple infections or damage to pulmonary tuberculosis, bones …
  • Tumor body: Is tuberculosis lymphadenitis that progresses to hypertrocence. This is rare, the tumor is usually in the neck, little attention is paid, one or several lymph nodes are enlarged, then attached to a painless, mobile, palpable and inflammatory mass around the lymph nodes. The tumor grows larger, maybe with an orange, occupying most of the area on the neck. Other ganglia (under the jaw, ear bearings …) are also hypertrophic. You may be on one side, but sometimes both sides make the neck look like a hand causing an imbalance in the head of the face. Hypertrophic lymphadenitis is difficult to treat definitively, causing inconvenience in daily life.

Tuberculosis

Lymph nodes in babies and young children

4. Methods of diagnosing tuberculosis in children

When your child shows similar abnormalities, send him to the nearest medical center for diagnostic testing and treatment planning.

Currently, it is possible to diagnose tuberculosis in children with tests such as:

  • BK Implants
  • X-ray of the lungs.
  • Do a lymph node bios.
  • Lymphadenopathy by lymphadenopathy

The implementation of tests to diagnose tuberculosis in children in the presence of the above symptoms should be carried out quickly. This is important for the diagnosis that distinguishes it from other conditions and avoids aggravation of the disease, making it difficult to treat.

5. Prevention of tuberculosis in children

It is necessary to give the child tonic, a diet full of nutrients, strengthen the vitamins for good resistance.

Once diagnosed with tuberculosis, it is necessary to give the child a rest, follow the treatment regimen of a specialist to quickly get sick.

6. Treatment of tuberculosis in children

Medical examination

Treatment of tuberculosis in children with internal medicine takes a long time and must be prescribed by a doctor

Medical treatment

For pediatric tuberculosis, medical treatment is predominant. The treatment must follow the mandatory principles of treatment of tuberculosis in general. Patients must use a combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs, at least 3 or more. At the stage of attack should be taken in combination with 3 to 4 anti-tuberculosis drugs, the maintenance stage should be taken 2 anti-tuberculosis drugs .

The duration of treatment of tuberculosis in children (including the consolidation phase) should last 9-12 months because of tuberculosis or recurrence, the duration of treatment depends on the patient's response. But, due to the characteristics of lesions in the lymph nodes, the drug penetrates the lymph nodes, so the results of treatment are usually not as fast as other tuberculosis bodies. During the period of treatment of tuberculosis, children must be kept clean, adequate and reasonable diet.

Medical treatment

Premature lymphadenopathy should not be removed in children because the lymph node has a protective role against the penetration of tuberculosis bacterium.

When the lymph nodes are swollen red, puree, purulent and potentially ruptured, purulent discharge should be carried out to avoid bad scars later. In case the lymph node has leaked and the pus has not gone out, it is possible to extract the incision to expand the fistula, dredge all the pus and treat it locally, combining anti-tuberculosis drugs as above .

In case of tuberculosis in children with lymph nodes of too large size, causing compression into the surrounding organization such as blood vessels, nerves, it should be carried out lymphadenopathy. Note when carrying out lymphadenopathy should not damage blood vessels and nerves.

When treating, it is necessary to pay attention to take care of the health of the child, avoiding to make the condition worse.

7. Things to keep in mind when babies appear lymph nodes in babies and young children

Lymphadenopathy is the body's reaction to unfavorable conditions or infections. In many cases, the lymph nodes that appear are benign. But send your child to see a doctor or call a doctor for advice if there is swelling of the lymph nodes accompanied by one of the following manifestations:

  • The ganglia are larger than 2.5 cm, or over 1.2 cm but last longer than 1 month.
  • Inflammation of the child's cervical lymph nodes causes shortness of breath, which affects the swallowing or drinking of the child.
  • Children with fever above 40°C and no signs of decrease after 2 hours of medication, or fever over 3 days and no signs of remission.
  • The skin of the red lymph nodes.
  • The lymph node grows quickly and grows louder after hours.
  • The swollen lymph node area causes pain.
  • The child feels a sore throat.
  • Large-sized ganglia appear in many areas.
  • Lymph nodes in babies, especially babies less than 1 month, appear lymph nodes.
  • Before that, the child had no signs or signs that he would have a lymphadenopathy.

Although tuberculosis in children does not endanger the life of the child and the disease is not contagious, it does make the child uncomfortable. Without timely detection, diagnosis and treatment, the disease left very bad scars and loss of aesthetics.

As a key area of Share99 Health System, Pediatrics always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:

  • Gathering a team of leading doctors in Pediatrics:including leading experts, highly specialized (professors, associate professors, doctors, masters), experienced, used to work at large hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are well-trained, professional, mind-centered, knowledgeable about the child's psychology. In addition to domestic pediatricians, pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) always pioneering the application of the latest and most effective treatment regimens.
  • Comprehensive services:In the field of Pediatrics, Share99 provides a chain of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatrics and Vaccines,… according to international standards to take care of your baby's health with parents from birth to adulthood
  • Intensive techniques:Share99 has successfully implemented many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery – skull, hematoma stem cell transplantation in cancer treatment.
  • Professional care:In addition to understanding the young psychology, Share99 also pay special attention to the children's play space, help them play comfortably and get acquainted with the hospital environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical examination and treatment.

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SEE MORE:

  • Is it dangerous for babies to have lymph nodes under their ears?
  • How long does treatment of tuberculosis and lungs last?
  • When suspected tuberculosis should be done what diagnostic methods should be done?

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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