Gastritis is a common condition among adults, but can children develop it? Experts confirm that pediatric gastritis does occur. How should it be treated?
Treatment for Pediatric Gastritis
1. Acute Gastritis
(1) Address the underlying cause
Actively treat the primary condition, discontinue foods and medications that irritate the gastric mucosa;Bed rest with clear liquids or semi-liquid diet; fasting temporarily for severe abdominal pain or vomiting; correct electrolyte imbalances in dehydrated cases; manage severe bleeding as upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
(2) Pharmacological Treatment
Mucosal protectants; H2 receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors for significant bleeding; hemostatic agents for bleeding;Transfusion for hemorrhagic anemia to prevent shock; antibiotics for bacterial infections; analgesics and sedatives for severe abdominal pain; intravenous fluids to control vomiting in cases of intense vomiting.
(3) Ingestion of Toxic Substances or Corrosives
Gastric lavage; immediate administration of egg white or milk.
2.Chronic Gastritis
Treatment aims to alleviate and resolve clinical symptoms; asymptomatic cases require no intervention. Patients with concomitant H. pylori infection should receive anti-H. pylori therapy.
(1) General Management
Maintain regular, timely meals with soft, easily digestible foods. Avoid hard, cold, acidic, coarse foods, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages. Discontinue pre-bedtime eating. Minimize psychological stress.Minimize or avoid medications that irritate the stomach. (2) Addressing Underlying Causes Actively treat the primary disease. (3) Pharmacological Management Antacids; Antispasmodics; Gastrointestinal motility agents; Mucosal protectants; Traditional Chinese medicine. H2 receptor antagonists are indicated for significant abdominal pain or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, administered for 2 weeks. Not recommended as routine therapy.
(4) Helicobacter pylori (Hp) Infection
Standardized anti-Hp therapy is required, involving high-dose, full-course, combination medication. Treatment duration depends on disease severity.
How to Prevent Pediatric Gastritis?
1. Exercise caution with medications for children; avoid drugs damaging the gastric mucosa.Long-term misuse of such drugs can damage the gastric mucosa, leading to chronic gastritis and ulcers. 2. Monitor the child's health closely. Actively treat infections in the oropharynx to prevent swallowing of bacteria-laden secretions like phlegm or nasal mucus into the stomach, which can cause chronic gastritis.
3. Avoid giving children overly acidic, spicy, or other irritating foods, as well as raw, cold, or hard-to-digest items. Encourage thorough chewing and slow eating to mix food well with saliva, aiding digestion and reducing gastric irritation. Meals should be regular, portion-controlled, and nutritionally rich, with ample vitamins A, B, and C. Avoid stimulating beverages like strong tea or coffee.