Many infections sign for immunodeficiency

Increased infections in children signs of immunodeficiency

03/08/2012

Due to their immature defenses, children tend to be more susceptible to infections than adults. Up to twelve feverish illnesses per year are normal among adolescents, according to a recent report by the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ).

If children become ill more than twelve times a year, or if there are more and more complications with actually rather harmless illnesses, such as a cold, the Federal Press Spokesman of the BVKJ, Dr. Ulrich Fegeler, to be an indication of an immune deficiency. Although only lie „in the rarest cases an immunodeficiency“, but the parents and doctors should still be particularly attentive here, the expert warned.

Eight to twelve infectious diseases per year in children normal
In general, children are particularly susceptible to infections because their immune system is not fully developed yet „first deal with those with the various germs“ must, according to the latest communication from the BVKJ. Many infants and toddlers suffer between eight and twelve infections a year. „Even schoolchildren can have a cold up to eight times a year, without parents having to worry“, explained Dr. Fegeler. But when „For example, if a child undergoes multiple pneumonia or fungal infections a year, or more than twelve feverish infections, this may or may not be an indication“ to be an immunodeficiency, so the expert of the BVKJ on. In principle, various forms of immune deficiency are conceivable.

Indications of immunodeficiency in children
A possible indication of a child's immunodeficiency is, according to the BVKJ, if the little ones are more likely to develop persistent fungal infections, four or more severe ear infections, as well as more than one pneumonia or generalized severe inflammation each year. The increased occurrence of sinus infections or long-term antibiotic treatment may also be caused by an immune deficiency according to the BVKJ experts. Parents should inform the pediatrician if the little ones „In the case of colds, complications often develop, which must be treated with antibiotics and the child recovers with difficulty“, stressed Fegeler. Are already known disorders of the immune system in the family environment, so according to the statement of the Federal Press Spokesman of the Professional Association of Children and Adolescents anyway special caution is required. According to the latest BVKJ report, about one in 20,000 children in Europe and one in every 10,000 children in the US are affected by a congenital immune deficiency. (Fp)

Picture: Rita Köhler