Spasmophilia is. .. The causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of spasmophilia

Spasmophilia is a rather dangerous pathology, which is accompanied by an increase in the excitability of neuromuscular fibers. To date, the disease is extremely rare( statistical studies confirm this).But, given the fact that children are affected by the infirmity of the first 2 years of life, it is worth familiarizing each parent with basic information about the violation.

What is pathology?

Spasmophilia is a rare but dangerous condition that is accompanied by muscle cramps caused by increased neuromuscular excitability. Pathology is associated with a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism. By the way, an excess of vitamin D in the body provokes such a disease. That is why in modern medicine, rickets and spasmophilia are closely related concepts.

To date, both pathologies are very rarely recorded. Nevertheless, the probability of their development is not ruled out.

Spasmophilia: aetiology and causes

To begin with it is necessary to understand the risk factors that can provoke the disease. Spasmophilia is a disease that affects children between the ages of three months and two years. There are several reasons for the development of pathology, with a list of which is worth reading:

• excess in the body of vitamin D, which is most often triggered by an overdose of drugs intended for the prevention of rickets;
• malnutrition, in which the body receives insufficient nutrients( as is usually the case with artificial feeding);
• excessive exposure of the sun to the skin( usually if irradiation is prescribed as a therapy);
• premature babies are more prone to these kinds of diseases.

Very rarely, such a pathology develops in older children. The causes of spasmophilia in this case are as follows:

• hemorrhage;
• severe forms of infectious diseases;
• tumors, including those that negatively affect the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• surgical intervention in the thyroid zone;

In adulthood, neuromuscular spasms develop against the backdrop of severe nervous overstrain, pregnancy.

Rickets in children: symptoms and treatment

As mentioned, these diseases are closely related. After all, both depend on the level of vitamin D in the body. Before considering the causes and symptoms of spasmophilia, it is worthwhile to get acquainted with information about what constitutes rickets in children. Symptoms and treatment, causes and complications - these questions are of interest to many parents.

This disease develops against the backdrop of vitamin D deficiencies and other metabolic disorders. From the pathology, the nervous system and the locomotor apparatus suffer in the first place.

The disease develops if, together with food, an insufficient amount of vitamin D enters the body. Since this substance is produced under the influence of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, the risk factors include the lack of solar exposure. Sometimes the ailment develops against a backdrop of certain diseases in which the absorption of vitamin D in the intestine is impaired.

Pathology, as a rule, develops in young children. First of all, the nervous system suffers from metabolic disorders. The child constantly cries, does not sleep well. Other symptoms include occipital baldness and increased sweating.

Rickets are accompanied by muscle hypotension. Milky teeth erupt later and in the wrong order. The spring closes late. In the absence of treatment, the entire musculoskeletal system suffers - deformation of the pelvic bones, indentation or protrusion of the sternum, the skull acquires a cubic shape.

Treatment is reduced to the elimination of vitamin D deficiency. To this end, babies are prescribed appropriate medications, as well as frequent walks in sunny weather. Massage, physiotherapy exercises and physiotherapy help restore normal muscle work. If the rickets were diagnosed on time, and the child received the necessary help, then the predictions are quite favorable.

Forms of spasmophilia

Spasmophilia in children can have two forms.

• Latent( or hidden).This form of pathology is almost imperceptible. The child looks quite healthy, eats and sleeps well. Nevertheless, you can see signs of hyperexcitability - the baby reacts violently to any stimuli, shudders from the sounds.
• Explicit. The form of the disease, which is characterized by obvious symptoms and severe disorders.

What are the symptoms of spasmophilia?

What else do moms need to know? For example, what are the signs characterized by spasmophilia. Symptoms can be different. Quite often children have laryngospasm - a powerful and sudden spasm of the muscles of the larynx. Typically, the attack occurs during crying and looks like this:

• Breathing partially overlaps, resulting in the child listening to his whistling breaths. The skin of the baby pales.
• In the most severe cases, the vocal slit overlaps completely, as a result of which the patient can not breathe. Skin covers acquire a cyanotic shade, a cold sweat appears.
• Often a child loses consciousness. Apnea can last a few seconds, after which a loud breath occurs. Typically, after an attack, a small patient calms down. Seizures may recur periodically.

Carpopedal spasm and its features

A characteristic sign of spasmophilia is the spasms of the muscles of the feet and brushes. This condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• of the foot and hand brings a tonic spasm, and the spasm can last from 2 hours to several days;
• the kid pulls the shoulders towards the body and maximally bends the upper limbs in the joints;
• the child's fingers are clenched into a fist;
• toes are also pressed inside.

Of course, the constant tension of the muscles affects the child's condition negatively - he experiences discomfort and pain, which leads to problems with sleeping, constant crying, increased excitability. A prolonged spasm is often accompanied by a strong edema of the hand or foot.

Isolated spasms in a child

Spasmophilia in children can be accompanied by a strong contraction of almost any muscle. For example, muscle spasm leads to sudden development of strabismus. If the tension covers the smooth muscles of the internal organs, then the child has problems with urination and defecation.

Very dangerous is the spasm of the so-called respiratory muscles, since this can lead to a stopping of breathing. Occasionally, the tension extends to the myocardium. The consequences in this case are extremely dangerous, because a baby can develop a tachycardia, and sometimes even a cardiac arrest.

Eclampsia: the first signs of

The most dangerous form of spasmophilia is eclampsia. The clinical picture looks approximately as follows:

• First there are small spasms of facial muscles, which are not difficult to notice, because on the child's face there are uncharacteristic mimic expressions.
• Rapid tension extends to the rest of the musculature - muscle cramps of limbs are observed.
• In the future, there are problems with breathing, laryngospasm. The baby's skin becomes sweaty and acquires a pale, sometimes even cyanotic, color. The kid loses consciousness. There is an involuntary urination or defecation. Foam appears on the lips of the child.

A similar attack can last about several hours. The child must be taken to the hospital, since there is a high risk of cardiac arrest or breathing.

Complications of the disease

Spasmophilia is a dangerous ailment that should not be ignored in any case. Pathology is accompanied by a decrease in the level of calcium in the body, which leads to dangerous complications. Severe convulsions, breathing disorders, problems in the work of the cardiovascular system up to cardiac arrest - all this poses a threat to the life of the child.

Fortunately, in most cases, doctors manage to diagnose the disease on time and take the necessary measures - the prognosis is favorable for the child.

Diagnostic Procedures

In the presence of the above symptoms it is necessary to immediately show the child to the doctor. The obvious form of spasmophilia is diagnosed easily - the clinical picture is quite typical. But with the latent course of the disease, it is not so easy to determine the presence of disturbances. Therefore, during physical examination, doctors perform some tests.

• Symptom of the Tail .The doctor gently strikes the area between the arch of the cheekbone and the corner of the mouth. In the presence of spasmophilia, the face of a small patient appears grimace, which is associated with spasm of mimic muscles. Symptom Russo .An elastic band is placed on the middle part of the infant's shoulder. If after a few minutes a spasm of the forearm appears, and then the wrists are clamped, this indicates a pre-convulsive condition.
• Symptom of Lust .With a hammer or finger, the doctor gently jabs the shin( under the tibia).With spasmophilia, flexion of the toes and a sharp withdrawal of the limb are observed. Symptom Maslov .An easy injection in any area on the body of the child in the presence of this disease leads to a short delay in breathing after inhalation.

In addition, a biochemical blood test is mandatory - during the study, a calcium deficiency in the child's body is detected.

First aid rules for a child

Regardless of the form and severity of the symptoms of the baby, the doctor should be urgently indicated. Nevertheless, the child can be helped.

Toddler is recommended to put on something solid. Do not carry it in your arms, pressing to yourself, as this only blocks access to the air. It is better to remove the tight clothes and open the window, providing the child with enough oxygen.

If you lose consciousness, you can sprinkle the baby's face with cool water. If the attack is accompanied by a violation of the activity of the myocardium and respiratory muscles, it is recommended to perform cardiac massage or use artificial respiration techniques.

Medical treatment of ailment

Often a child with a similar diagnosis is hospitalized. What therapy requires spasmophilia? Treatment includes several stages.

• First of all, the baby is prescribed anticonvulsants that relieve muscle spasms, prevent the appearance of problems with breathing and heart. As a rule, in this case, drugs such as "Magnesium sulphate" are used. Relanium, Seduxen.
• It is important to restore the normal level of calcium in the body. Therefore, the child is prescribed such medicines as "Calcium chloride", "Calcium gluconate", "Ammonium chloride".
• Patients are sometimes given sleeping pills and sedatives.
• After the attack was removed, the child is prescribed a 5% - or 10% solution of calcium chloride. Therapy lasts about 7-10 days.
• Proper nutrition is also important for recovery. If it is a question of babies, in the first 8-12 hours after an attack a tea diet is recommended, after which the baby is again transferred to breastfeeding. The diet of the older child should be enriched with acidic mixtures, cottage cheese, kefir. If it is a question of children of school age, then in their menu must be present porridge, vegetable purees and fruit juices.

Are there any preventive measures?

Of course, it is much easier to prevent the development of a disease, than to try to get rid of it. Prevention of spasmophilia includes several points. First, you need to monitor food more closely, especially when it comes to artificial feeding - parents need to choose the right formula.

Secondly, do not forget that the ailment is directly related to the excess of vitamin D in the body. Do not refuse the preventive reception of this remedy. After all, its deficiency leads to the development of rickets. But during therapy it is important to adhere to the recommended dosages.