Toxicosis follows an infection and most often affects infants. Explanations.
Definition: what is toxicosis?
Toxicosis is not a disease in itself but the result of another infectious condition. “We don’t talk about toxicosis anymore” introduces Dr. Pascal Douek, doctor, micro-nutritionist, sports doctor. “This term describes the severe dehydration of infant following an infection most of the time” he explains. The term toxicosis of pregnancy is no longer used either, we speak today of toxaemia pregnant or pre-eclampsia (medical complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure).
What are the possible causes of toxicosis?
The infant particularly exposed to dehydration because his water needs are much higher than those of a child bigger or an adult. “Infant dehydration occurs most often after diarrhea or an infectious viral or bacterial disease” informs Dr. Douek. It is frequently a digestive infection (gastroenteritis) but another infection, such as a ENT infection, giving fever can lead to infant dehydration. “infant meningitis can lead to severe dehydration“says Dr. Douek.
It’s a medical emergency
What are the symptoms of toxicosis?
An infant who is dehydrated is hypotonic (soft) or on the contrary unusually agitated, he has dark circles under the eyes, gray complexion, dry mouth. “The doctor notices that the fontanel is a little hollow, and that when the skin is pinched, the dry skin keeps the fold“says Dr. Douek. Parents should be just as vigilant about weight loss.”10% weight loss requires hospitalization to rehydrate the child“explains the doctor.
What are the possible sequelae of toxicosis?
Severe dehydration of the feedern can lead to consciousness disorders in the child. It’s a medical emergency. Hospitalization allows the child to be rehydrated and to treat the cause of the dehydration.
The treatment is based on a intravenous rehydration and on taking charge of the responsible cause. “If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed” informs the doctor.
Dr Pascal Douek, doctor, micro-nutritionist, sports doctor.