The baby's blood is always in a liquid state due to the constant interaction of the system that ensures its clotting, as well as the system that resists clotting. The ratio of plasma (liquid part of blood) to cells is normally constant and, with slight fluctuations, quickly returns to its normal values. However, there are situations when the blood thickens.
Let's take a look at why a child may have thick blood, whether it is dangerous for him and what parents should do when their daughter or son's blood clots.
Causes
Dehydration is the most common cause of thicker blood in childhood. It can be caused by inadequate drinking, vomiting, kidney failure, diarrhea, burns (if extensive), fever, excessive sweating during exercise, too dry air in the room, and other factors.
Other causes of blood thickening in children include:
- Hypovitaminosis, especially B vitamins and ascorbic acid.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Taking certain medications, including glucocorticoids and diuretics.
- Obesity.
- Eritremia.
- Fermentopathy.
- Obstructive diseases of the respiratory system.
- Kidney tumors.
- Endocrine pathologies.
- Injuries.
- Parasitic infections.
- Leukemia.
- Diseases in which coagulation increases.
- Splenectomy.
- Acute inflammatory process.
Symptoms
If the child's blood thickens strongly, this may manifest itself:
- Dizziness.
- Cyanosis of the skin.
- Swelling of the limbs.
- Feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs.
- Weakness.
- Pain in the tips of the fingers.
- Sleepiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Increased fatigue.
- Deterioration in concentration.
- Headaches.
- Thirst.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Cold limbs.
- Shortness of breath.
In a blood test, an increased blood density will be visible by the number of red blood cells (it rises) and a change in hematocrit (this indicator will also be increased). The number of other blood cells may also increase.
What is dangerous
If the blood in the child's body becomes thicker than normal, it will have difficulty moving through the vessels. Since with excessively thick blood it will not be sufficiently saturated with oxygen, the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues is disrupted. This threatens with a deterioration in the work of internal organs, as well as gluing of blood cells together with the formation of blood clots. As a result, the child has an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, intestinal necrosis and other pathologies.
Treatment
If a blood test shows that it is thickened, you should show the child to a doctor. The pediatrician will assess the clinical symptoms and find out the cause of the increased blood density, after which he will prescribe treatment. It will be determined by the diagnosis, including medications to treat the underlying disease, as well as medications to thin the blood.
At the same time, the doctor will advise parents to review the baby's nutrition. Your child's diet should include foods that can thin the blood, such as garlic, citrus fruits, beets, sunflower seeds, ginger, sour berries, olive oil, cocoa and others. With thick blood, bananas, smoked foods, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, buckwheat, lentils, walnuts, rose hips should not be consumed.
In addition, parents should pay special attention to the child's drinking regime. Children are given more clean water, herbal or green tea, vegetable or fruit juices. As for the use of any infusions, decoctions and other recipes of traditional medicine, before giving any remedy to a child, you should definitely discuss this with your pediatrician.
