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[Changes in the peripheral circulation of children with severe forms of acute intestinal infections]
Insights
Photoelectroplethysmography revealed reduced skin blood in children with severe intestinal infections, correlating with dehydration. Peripheral circulation issues persisted into early recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute intestinal infections significantly impact pediatric health.
- Peripheral circulation changes are critical indicators of systemic illness in children.
- Understanding these changes aids in assessing disease severity and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral circulation alterations in children with severe acute intestinal infections.
- To correlate these circulatory changes with dehydration levels.
- To assess the duration of these circulatory effects during convalescence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photoelectroplethysmography (PEP) on the thumb's end phalanx.
- Compared 100 children with severe intestinal infections to 31 healthy infants.
- Monitored skin blood content and postcapillary resistance.
Main Results:
- Patients showed decreased skin blood content, directly related to dehydration severity.
- An elevated postcapillary resistance in skin and subcutaneous fat was observed.
- These circulatory abnormalities were present during acute illness and early recovery.
Conclusions:
- Severe acute intestinal infections cause significant peripheral circulation impairment in children.
- Dehydration is a key factor influencing reduced skin blood content.
- Peripheral circulatory disturbances indicate a prolonged recovery phase.
Abstract:
Photoelectroplethysmography of the skin of the end phalanx of the right hand thumb was used in 100 children with grave forms of acute intestinal infections and in 31 healthy babies to study changes in peripheral circulation. The patients demonstrated the lowering of the skin blood content, in proportion to the degree of dehydration, as well as an increase of postcapillary resistance to the blood flow in the skin and subcutaneous fat, seen not only in the acute disease period but also in the stage of early convalescence.