Klebsiellez in infants and newborns

Klebsiella infection in a child is a condition that requires an adequate response of parents and doctors. What to do if Klebsiella is found in a baby and how to treat the infection, you will learn from this article.

Klebsiella is a bacterium that is not considered harmful in itself. It is a conditionally pathogenic organism that can cause disease only under certain conditions. Named bacterium in honor of his "father", the discoverer of the German pathologist Edwin Klebs. This bacterium belongs to the family of enterobacteria and on this basis has a certain relationship with intestinal and plague bacilli, with salmonella. In 2017, Klebsiella was ranked as rather dangerous bacteria, but only because it shows amazing resistance to antibiotics that exist today. The bacterium shows rapid resistance to new antimicrobial agents.

Klebsiella is a gram-negative bacillus with a capsule that protects it well against environmental influences. Most often, the microbe is found in the fecal masses of people, on the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory organs, and can also be transmitted with soil, water, and foodstuffs — mostly fruits and vegetables if they are not washed well.

A wand can be in the body of any person unnoticed as long as its immunity is able to restrain its activity. However, once the immune defense is weakened, the bacterium begins to multiply actively. In infants and newborns, immunity is not strong enough on its own. Of course, the baby to some extent protects the innate maternal immunity, but only up to six months and not from all diseases. Therefore, the risk of being infected with Klebsiella in babies of the first year of life is very high.

The bacterium mainly affects the intestines of a child. But the toxins that it releases during its reproduction and life can have a negative impact on any organs and systems of the baby, because they are very vulnerable in newborns. So far, science knows eight varieties of this microorganism. They have rather long and complex Latin names. The difference between species is in the collection of antigens. Most often in childhood, two types are found — Clesiella pneumonia (Klebsiella pneumoniae) causes pneumonia, and Klebsiella oxytocum (Klebsiella oxytoca) causes unpleasant gastrointestinal manifestations with diarrhea and abdominal pain.

These and other types of bacteria can cause diseases such as conjunctivitis, meningitis, sepsis, and even cause rhinosclerosis, in which the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is severely affected. In its "behavior", Klebsiella is very close to Staphylococcus aureus, which can also exist for a very long time in the body of an infected person unnoticed and completely peaceful. However, under the influence of unfavorable (for humans) and very favorable (for bacteria) factors, growth and reproduction begin.

The pathological causes that contribute to the activity of Klebsiella are quite diverse, but all of them are mostly reduced to a decrease in immunity. Therefore, children who were born weak and painful, premature babies, babies who inherited HIV infection are at risk of being infected with Klebsiella.

In infants and newborns, the transfer from breastfeeding to artificial milk formulas can also provoke an immune decline, since the body's tiny part of the antibody is obtained from the mother's milk. The second, not less widespread, reason for the development of Klebsiella in the body is a violation of the sanitary regime and hygiene rules. The bacterium can get into the body of a child with water if it is not boiled, with poorly washed vegetables and fruits, and even from the hands of adults who care for the baby.

Klebsiella lives not only in the human body, but also in domestic animals. Sometimes infection becomes possible from the contact of the infant with the pet. Infection can occur in the hospital, sometimes right in the hospital.

Often a child is diagnosed with joint presence in the body of both staphylococcus and Klebsiella. These two microbes can act in tandem, staphylococcus violates the microflora in the intestine, which creates more favorable conditions for the existence and reproduction of Klebsiella.

If in the analysis of feces in a baby Klebsiella is found, then this fact cannot be considered the basis for the start of treatment. Rather, this is proof that the baby has these bacteria, but it copes with their immunity, which in itself cannot be considered a disease. The development of Klebsiella can only be discussed when the child has symptoms.

The signs are not specific, characteristic only for this pathology, and therefore it is quite difficult to recognize them:

• Chair disturbances. The feces become liquid, contains fragments of undigested food, may be frothy, sometimes with blood impurities. The color of feces becomes yellowish-green, has a pronounced putrid odor.
• Abdominal pain. The child has a distended abdomen, he becomes restless due to pain in the abdomen, increased gas formation may be observed.
• Regurgitation It is clear that any regurgitation should not be considered a sign of a bacterial infection. The regurgitation abundant, “fountain”, exceeding the volume of a tablespoon, must necessarily alert the parents, as it may indicate the presence of Klebsiella.
• Digestive upset. A child with klebsiellosis may experience vomiting. He refuses food, suffers appetite.
• Fever. In the acute stage of infection, the temperature may rise to 38.5-39.0 degrees.

If the respiratory organs are damaged by Klebsiella, the symptoms are also acute. The temperature rises (up to 39.0 degrees), there is a strong cough, sputum can be released with streaks of blood and an unpleasant smell, the child becomes sluggish and drowsy, is cranky and refuses to eat. All these symptoms may be signs of a mass of other diseases, the more important it is to consult a doctor in a timely manner. In fact, parents quite often take the manifestations of bacterial infection for dysbiosis, and without the permission of the doctor, they begin to give the child prebiotics and probiotics. Without proper treatment, the infection develops further, and the child’s condition worsens significantly.

To see the bacterium at home and to distinguish the disease that it caused, from other ailments is not possible. Establish the fact of Klebsiella can only be based on laboratory studies. Most often, the microbe is found in fecal masses.. However, doctors are not limited to this and are conducting a study of Klebsiella’s baby’s urine, blood, and sputum.

In the urine, the microbe is detected infrequently, only if pyelonephritis caused by Klebsiella develops in the crumbs. In all other cases, the entry of a microbe into a urine test is considered an accident. As already mentioned, the bacterium can be present in the analyzes of a perfectly healthy baby. But in this case its content will not exceed 10 to 5 degrees (105 microbes per 1 gram of feces). If your baby has found 10 to 8 degrees per 1 gram of Klebsiella in feces, this is the basis for starting treatment for an intestinal infection caused by a bacterium.

10 to 6 degrees per gram found in sputum - a basis for suspicion of bacterial pneumonia and the appointment of appropriate treatment. 10 to 7 degrees is also a pathological concentration that will require treatment.

Do not think that a bacterial infection necessarily requires the use of antibiotics. This is logical, but not necessary. Mild degrees of Klebsiella infection are treated without antimicrobial agents. The child is prescribed probiotics, which will help restore the balance of intestinal microflora, bacteriophages. It is bacteriophages - specially created viruses that have the ability to destroy bacteria, are considered the main method of therapy. Bacteriophage treatment can be quite long - up to 3 weeks.

Additionally, antipyretics are prescribed, depending on the symptoms. "Paracetamol", "Nurofen", as well as means for oral rehydration, if the baby has prolonged diarrhea or frequent vomiting («Smecta», «Regidron»). For more efficient bowel cleansing, so-called intestinal antiseptics can be used - «Furazolidone» and similar drugs to him.

Mild degrees of infection are allowed to be treated at home, but with the knowledge and consent of the pediatrician. Since infants are unpredictable people and they can worsen at any moment. If the infection has a pronounced course, the doctor may advise hospitalization and will be absolutely right. Refusing treatment in a hospital is not worth it, if only for safety reasons for the baby. To select an antibiotic that will act on a specific bacterium found in a child in a hospital setting conduct research on the susceptibility of bacteria to antibacterial drugs.

To do this, under laboratory conditions, Klebsiella is “attacked” with various antimicrobial agents, and the drug that will cause maximum damage to it will be selected as the main treatment for a particular child. Antibiotics are given together and by immunomodulators in order to increase the child’s immunity to resistance.

This whole process takes from 7 days to 21 days, it must necessarily proceed under constant medical supervision, since there is a risk of infection of other organs.

For the treatment of children under the age of 1 year, antibiotics are usually used, which belong to the family penicillins or cephalosporins. Their effects on the body as a whole are quite benign, which pediatricians have appreciated. Treatment of pneumonia caused by Klebsiella, most often takes place in a hospital according to a scheme that is very similar to the treatment of intestinal ailments caused by this microbe. Along with the treatment, the doctor necessarily recommends that the nursing mother change her diet, eliminate complex carbohydrates from it.

Recently, in the treatment of Klebsiella most modern doctors try to avoid the use of antibiotics, because they believe that the harm from this bacterium is somewhat exaggerated, and the child’s immunity with proper nutrition and the creation of favorable external conditions will be able to cope with the infection on its own. Naturally, this applies only to those species of bacteria that cause intestinal symptoms. In the treatment of pneumonia caused by Klebsiella, the approach remains the same.

How to treat and treat Klebsiella in general, the doctor must decide only. The prognosis and duration of treatment largely depend on how quickly the parents notice the “wrong” and turn to a specialist. That is why it is important not to engage in the treatment of diarrhea and vomiting in an infant with folk remedies, and if such signs appear, immediately call the polyclinic and call the doctor.

With abundant vomiting, severe diarrhea on the background of high temperature increases the risk of dehydration in infants, and this process will be rapid. That is why it is important to immediately call an ambulance.

Theoretically, Klebsiella in neglected and aggressive form can cause not only diarrhea, but also have a detrimental effect on the condition of the joints, cause sinusitis and meningitisas well as a very dangerous complication - bacterial systemic sepsis. And although the likelihood of such consequences for the average baby is not so great, it is not worth risking the life of a child.

It is rather difficult to protect yourself from Klebsiella because it surrounds us everywhere, and even your own parents can pass on this microorganism to their child. That is why the greatest emphasis in the prevention should be done not on the sterile purity of everything that surrounds the crumb, but on strengthening its immunity. To do this, the child should spend enough time in the fresh air; organism.

It is not necessary to stuff a child with pills and syrups at the first signs of any disease, because viruses and bacteria “train” the immune system, which forms antibodies to various pathogens. In an attempt to strengthen the immunity of the baby, some parents reach the drugs - immunostimulants and immunomodulators. It is not necessary to use such funds for prophylactic purposes, since they can lead to the fact that the child’s own immunity will begin to "be lazy."

Concomitant prevention of Klebsiella is in compliance with the rules and standards of hygiene. Adults may not even realize that they are carriers of the bacteria, and therefore it is important to wash their hands with soap every time after going to the toilet before approaching the child. The baby himself also needs to wash the pens, if he communicated with pets or returned from a walk on the street. Only one form of Klebsiella that causes pneumonia is transmitted by airborne droplets.It is rather difficult to defend against it, but the fact that such bacterial inflammation of the lungs is rare in children and adults is good.

Parents of an infected child can also reduce the incidence. After identifying in the analyzes of the pathological content of the bacteria, they should limit the communication of the baby with his peers, other children in the family, prevent the sharing of toys, bedding and dishes until the baby is completely cured.

You will learn more about the prevention and treatment of microbial and bacterial diseases in the following video.