Temomegaly: causes and symptoms of the disease in children

Excess of the mass and volume of the thymus gland is called thymomegaly. Pathology occurs in children, while maintaining the normal histological structure of the organ. Thymomegaly is detected in approximately a fifth of young children and in 10 - th part of older children. After 6 years, the number of children with thymomegaly decreases. Children with thymomegaly are at risk for the development of autoimmune and allergic reactions, sudden infant death, and therefore require close monitoring and care. Why does thymomegaly develop? When is treatment for thymomegaly required?

Causes of thymomegaly development. What are the provoking factors during pregnancy?

The thymus gland secretes more than 20 biologically active substances that regulate metabolism, blood sugar and calcium levels, skeletal muscle phosphorus, hematopoiesis, puberty and growth.

The thymus has the largest mass at the birth of a child, which is 4.4% of body weight. After 15 years, the gland undergoes physiological involution, after which its tissue is replaced by connective or adipose tissue.

Endogenous and exogenous factors contribute to the development of thymomegaly. The genetic determinism of thymomegaly, as well as its connection with HLA antigens B15, B18 and B27, has been proven. A burdened obstetric history plays an important role in the development of thymomegaly. Thymomegaly is also promoted by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, taking medications, x-ray exposure.

Clinical manifestations of thymomegaly. Appearance of children with thymomegaly

Thymomegaly can occur without clinical manifestations. With a slight increase in the thymus, the term "syndrome of an increase in the thymus" is used.

Children with thymomegaly have some similarities in appearance. These are large facial features, rounded soft body shapes, an increase in the transverse dimensions of the body - & nbsp; broad back, shoulders, face, palms and feet. The skin is pale, the hair is light, the appetite is increased, the muscles are poorly developed.

Such children begin to walk later, teeth erupt also later than their peers. There is a delay in the development of speech and dyslalia. Read more about the complications of thymomegaly on estet-portal.com. Children with thymomegaly are prone to excessive sweating, arterial hypotension and arrhythmias. Thymomegaly can have a high degree of development, which is accompanied by compression of neighboring organs. This has specific complications.

Complications of a high degree of thymomegaly:

• Compression of the superior vena cava is accompanied by swelling of the jugular veins, shortness of breath, cyanosis and expansion of the venous network on the upper part of the body.
• Irritation of the vagus nerve is manifested by dysphonia, bradycardia, collapse, regurgitation or vomiting.

Instrumental and laboratory diagnostics of thymomegaly

Usually, thymomegaly is combined with hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue. At school age, such children are often ill.

Instrumental diagnostic methods are used to detect thymomegaly – Ultrasound of the thymus gland, X-ray of the chest. Radiography makes it possible to identify the degree of thymomegaly when calculating cardio – thoracic and vasocardial indices. Laboratory research methods reveal a decrease in the population of T – lymphocytes (CD8,CD3,CD4), a decrease in the number of mature B – cells. The level of IgG, IgA decreases, IgM and IgE increase. Also, the concentration of ACTH, cortisol decreases, the level of growth hormone and TSH increases.

Tymomegaly treatment. When is treatment required, and with what drugs?

With minor thymomegaly, therapeutic measures are not required. Frequently ill children are shown taking adaptogens every 3-4 months. These are ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, pantocrine, eleutherococcus. Timalin is used for immunocorrection. In severe illness or stress, courses of glucocorticosteroids are prescribed.

Children  with thymomegaly should be registered with the dispensary, as they have an increased risk of developing autoimmune, allergic and oncological pathologies. Adolescents with thymomegaly need proper rest and sleep, avoidance of stressful situations, and annual laboratory tests of immune status.