Electrophoresis for children - what is it, what is it for and what is it prescribed for?

Medicinal electrophoresis is a traditional method of physiotherapeutic treatment that combines the effect on the body of a weak direct electric current and the specific pharmacological mechanisms of a medicinal substance entering through the skin under the influence of a direct current. Medicinal substances in solutions under the influence of an electric current break down into positively and negatively charged ions, which flow according to their polarities: cations - from the anode, anions - from the cathode. For medicinal purposes, the following groups of drugs are administered using electrophoresis: enzymes, vitamins, microelements, psychotropic and sedatives (sedatives), antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Medicinal electrophoresis can be carried out children starting from 4-5 weeks of age. Physiotherapy is more effective in children than in adult patients.

Is this dangerous for the child?

If the equipment is used correctly and the dosage of medications is followed, there will be no harm to the baby. It is also necessary to exclude contraindications for undergoing this procedure.

On the contrary, electrophoresis makes the treatment more painless. This makes it possible to avoid painful injections for the baby, as well as to avoid possible complications as a result of oral use of medications.

Unfortunately, this manipulation is not always possible; there are clearly established contraindications. But more on that later.

Parents may be a little confused or even frightened by the behavior of babies under one year old during electrophoresis physiotherapy. Many children cry or even scream, demanding an end to such manipulation. This is an understandable reaction, because he may be scared.

Benefits of home treatment

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Indications for the procedure for infants and children over one year old

Due to the small number of side effects, this physiotherapeutic procedure in pediatrics is very popular. It promotes rapid cure of many diseases even in the youngest patients.

Carrying out electrophoresis in children is not difficult. The manipulation consists of several stages:

1. A napkin or piece of gauze is moistened with a solution of the drug, which is selected depending on the disease.
2. The electrodes (plates) of the device intended for the procedure are wrapped in a cloth soaked in a therapeutic solution and applied to the desired organ (neck area, chest, lower back).
3. The required impulse strength is set. Only after this the device is connected.
4. Upon completion of these manipulations, the areas of the child’s skin to which the electrodes were applied are wiped with a dry cloth.

During the procedure, slight tingling of the skin is felt in places of contact with the plates wrapped in damp cloth, which can frighten a small patient. It is extremely important that a parent is present throughout the procedure. All metal objects (chain, cross, pendants, etc.) must be removed before the procedure to avoid burns.

Like any other medical procedure, this physiotherapy procedure has contraindications. These include:

• elevated temperature;
• tumors;
• heart and kidney failure;
• inflammation in the acute stage;
• predisposition to bleeding;
• blood clotting disorder;
• bronchial asthma;
• purulent skin diseases;
• dermatitis.

The procedure has its contraindications, so a thorough examination of the child is necessary.

The procedure is prohibited in case of individual intolerance to the effects of current and an allergy to the medications used. If there is damage to the skin at the sites where the electrodes are attached, electrophoresis is postponed until complete healing.

Physiotherapy in pediatrics has numerous therapeutic options that are used for children from the first days of life. The procedures treat colds, increase defenses, and promote timely maturation and development of all body systems.

Today we’ll talk about the most popular procedure among children - electrophoresis - with the physiotherapy room nurse, massage therapist of the “Cradle of Health” group Ekaterina Alexandrovna TSEMENKO

— Ekaterina Aleksandrovna, everyone hears about such a procedure as electrophoresis, but what is it?

— Electrophoresis is the administration of medicinal substances using electric current. The procedure is often used in the treatment of young children. Using the electrophoresis method, medications in liquid form are introduced into the child’s body, the drugs are delivered directly to the sore spot. To do this, use a minimal current discharge that is not capable of causing pain or harm to the baby’s health.

— Is electrophoresis different for children than for adults?

— Electrophoresis for infants is a fairly common procedure that is prescribed for the treatment of certain diseases. In practice, this manipulation turns out to be a fairly simple and very useful component of treatment for the child himself. Children's electrophoresis is certainly different from that of an adult.

The epidermis is represented by a smaller number of layers of cells loosely associated with the dermis. The skin of babies is characterized by suction ability and low resistance to electric current. Therefore, when performing electrophoresis, the direct current density for newborns and children of the first year of life is 0.01-0.04 mA/cm2.

The duration of the procedure is 7-10 minutes for children under one year old, for older children - 15-20 minutes.

— What happens in the child’s body during the procedure?

— The operating principle of electrophoresis is as follows: the medicinal substance is applied to the skin, pad or electrode. An electric current passes through its particles (ions) and sets them in motion.

As a result, they penetrate through the sweat and sebaceous glands into the dermis or mucous membranes. Then the product is evenly distributed in the cells, from where it enters the blood and lymph flow and is delivered to certain organs and tissues.

In any case, the procedure is absolutely painless.

— According to the description, the procedure is quite complicated. Maybe it’s easier to give an injection or a pill?

— It may be simpler, but it is not always better, especially for newborn children. Electrophoresis makes the treatment gentle and painless. This makes it possible to do without injections, as well as to avoid possible complications (from the gastrointestinal tract) as a result of oral (by mouth) use of medications.

UNCONDIBLE ADVANTAGES

• Delivery of active ingredients in the most active form directly to the affected areas.
• Low systemic influence of synthetic compounds on the body, thereby reducing the risk of side effects.
• Immunostimulating and reflex effects of current.

— In what cases is electrophoresis prescribed?

— Indications for electrophoresis in infants are quite varied. It is prescribed for the treatment of:

• hip dysplasia is a congenital pathology characterized by abnormal development of joints.
• torticollis - curvature of the cervical spine as a result of trauma or congenital anomalies.
• hypo and hypertonicity of muscles
• birth injuries.
• pain syndrome in various disorders
• diseases of the oral cavity - stomatitis, gingivitis
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system, neurological problems.

Very often, for diseases of the central nervous system and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, therapeutic massage is prescribed along with electrophoresis.

- Let's focus on one diagnosis. Tell us in more detail how the treatment is going?

— Let's consider the most common one - hypertonicity. This is excessive tension of certain muscle groups.

This state of tone can manifest itself in: clenched fists, curled toes, throwing the head back, frequent regurgitation, holding the head from birth due to the tone of the neck muscles, strong resistance when trying to separate the baby’s clenched legs or arms, restless sleep. Often, with increased tone, electrophoresis is prescribed along with massage.

This procedure, combined with massage, helps to relax overstrained muscles and generally normalize muscle tone. For hypertonicity, electrophoresis with aminophylline or papaverine, or a combination thereof, is usually prescribed. Medicines relieve spasms, improve blood supply and tissue nutrition, help improve nerve conduction, normalize metabolism, and reduce pain.

Also, for hypertonicity, dibazole and magnesia are used, which improve blood flow and have a calming effect. It is advisable to carry out electrophoresis procedures immediately after a massage. This promotes greater penetration of the medicine deep into the tissue and, accordingly, better relaxation of tight muscles.

— I personally encountered the fact that in the clinic the pediatrician en masse prescribes electrophoresis with aminophylline on the collar area of ​​children with almost any neurological disorder. So to speak, treat everyone so as not to miss the patient! When should it really be prescribed? And what happens if a healthy child is “treated” in this way?

— I don’t think that the purpose of the procedure is not justified. Physiotherapy is not prescribed just like that. And parents will not take their child to the hospital for treatment unnecessarily. Let's assume that the child is healthy and the procedure is scheduled.

By dilating the vessels of the neck with aminophylline, you can cause the so-called “stealing syndrome” of oxygen from the brain, as a result of which its blood supply decreases (blood does not rise well through the dilated vessels). It turns out that the brain does not receive enough oxygen.

Of course, such a procedure cannot be prescribed for a child with normal blood vessels.

— So, “treating” children with electric shock is not a harmless practice?

— If you treat without indications, then yes. However, from experience I can say that if the equipment is used correctly and the dosage of medications is followed, there will be no harm to the baby. It is also necessary to exclude contraindications for undergoing this procedure.

— Tell us about the contraindications.

— Exposure to electric current is contraindicated for children with tumors, heart failure, the acute phase of any disease, hyperthermia, asthma, problems with blood clotting, dermatitis, eczema and any damage in the treated area.

In addition, before the session, it is important to make sure that the child is not allergic to the drug used (a red spot may appear. If more than two hours do not pass, it means that he is allergic to this medicine. Therefore, it is better to refrain from electrophoresis with this drug and consult a doctor for a prescription other medicine).

The choice of medicine and electrophoresis technique is carried out depending on the diagnosis.

— Ekaterina Aleksandrovna, how do children tolerate the electrophoresis procedure?

— Children tolerate electrophoresis differently: some behave calmly, others become nervous, irritable, or cry throughout the procedure. This is an understandable reaction, because the baby may be scared.

Children over 1 year of age have no restrictions for treatment with electrophoresis, except due to contraindications for the drug.

— At the end of our conversation, I would like to draw a small conclusion.

— If your child is prescribed electrophoresis, do not be afraid. This effective procedure will definitely help and give quick results.

ATTENTION!

Exposure to electric current is contraindicated:

• for tumors
• heart failure
• acute phase of any disease
• hyperthermia
• asthma
• problems with blood clotting
• dermatitis, eczema and any damage in the treated area.
• In addition, before the session it is important to make sure that the child is not allergic to the drug used.

Electrophoresis is the effect of electric current on the human body with the parallel administration of various medications through the skin or mucous membranes.

With the help of current, the substance penetrates the tissues without causing a systemic effect on the body. The procedure can be prescribed to newborns from the first month of life as the main therapy or as part of a complex treatment.

What diseases are treated with electrophoresis?

Medicinal electrophoresis is used to regulate the processes of the central nervous system, improve autonomic functions, stimulate tissue regeneration, resolve inflammatory infiltrates, reduce pain, and restore motor functions. In infants, medicinal electrophoresis is prescribed for:

• hip dysplasia
• consequences of birth injuries
• for hypo- and hypertonicity of muscles
• for pain syndromes
• with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity
• for neurological problems

When electrophoresis is contraindicated

Like any medical intervention, this procedure has its own indications and contraindications, in the presence of which it is unacceptable to carry out this physical procedure.

Electrophoresis is contraindicated:

• If the child has an increase in body temperature.
• If there are tumors in the body.
• For heart failure.
• During acute inflammatory processes.
• With a tendency to bleeding and any bleeding disorders.
• For diathesis and dermatitis in a child.
• If the skin is damaged in the places where the plates are attached.
• If you have bronchial asthma.
• If you are allergic to the medications used or have an individual intolerance to their components.

These contraindications are absolute and cannot be ignored.

Drugs used

During electrophoresis, the child is given various medications. Their choice depends on the disease that is being cured.

Medicines used include:

1. Magnesia. This medicine effectively fights pathologies of the respiratory system.
2. Eufillin. It contains theophylline and ethylenediamine. The action of the drug is aimed at increasing diuresis, activating the work of the heart muscle and respiratory center, and dilating blood vessels. Eufillin is able to increase blood circulation and destroy blood clots.
3. Papaverine. The drug belongs to the group of antispasmodics and effectively relieves muscle spasms.
4. A nicotinic acid. This product is a synthetic analogue of vitamin PP. It is used to improve carbohydrate metabolism, accelerate tissue healing and dilate blood vessels.
5. Calcium. Indicated for paralysis and muscular dystrophy. In combination with vitamins C, the drug has a powerful anti-inflammatory and absorbable effect.
6. Dibazol. The product is used to stimulate the spinal cord and strengthen the defenses of babies. It is widely used in the treatment of neurological pathologies and intestinal disorders. In addition, dibazol is effective for increased muscle tone. Proserine and bromine have similar actions.

Solutions of nicotinic acid and aminophylline for electrophoresis
During the Ratner procedure, children undergo electrophoresis with the simultaneous use of aminophylline and papaverine. This technique is intended to treat birth injuries, cerebral palsy, and blood flow disorders in the cervical spine.

Often, when conducting electrophoresis in children, nicotinic acid and aminophylline are used together. The procedure helps with impaired muscle tone, hydrocephalus and birth injuries.

Electrophoresis for infants or the healing properties of electric current

After the birth of the baby, patronage or prof.
examination up to a year may reveal some deviations from the normal state of health. Considering the immaturity of the nervous and skeletal system, many abnormalities can go away with a course of massage or taking vitamins, but some require treatment. Treatment of many diseases associated with neurology and orthopedics occurs using electrophoresis.

What kind of procedure is electrophoresis?

Electrophoresis is a physiotherapy procedure using a small current charge. The essence of the procedure is to deliver the medicine as much as possible to the area needed for treatment. In addition to the presence of drugs in the process, the current itself, applied to a certain part of the body, has a neuro-reflex effect.

Advantages of using electrophoresis for infants:

1. Even with a small content of the medicinal substance, it will be introduced into the body as much as possible, penetrating into the pores of the skin.
2. Electrophoresis prescribed by the course will allow you to accumulate the necessary product in the area in need.
3. If any strong medications are contraindicated for an infant, then the current itself will help rehabilitate, for example, poorly transmitted nerve impulses.
4. The procedure is painless and short in time.
5. Electrophoresis has a relaxing effect.

Minuses:

1. A restless child will need to be held in one position for several minutes.
2. If during the procedure the child screams and breaks out, the effect of the event will be lost.
3. After electrophoresis, itching and dryness of the skin are possible.
4. Electrophoresis is prohibited in a number of cases from the list of contraindications.

Indications for use in infants

There are various diagnoses in infants for which a course of electrophoresis is simply necessary.

Increased or decreased muscle tone

A course of procedures for this diagnosis is usually combined with a course of massage. The point of therapeutic measures is to force the muscles to relax or, on the contrary, to produce tension. The current helps the passage of nerve impulses from the brain to the limbs, which gives the desired effect.

Dysplasia and torticollis

If the baby's skeleton is deformed, electrophoresis allows you to relax the desired part of the body. Dysplasia and torticollis are the most common diagnoses in infants.

Electrophoresis allows them to accumulate the required amount of medicine and relax. It has been noticed that after a course of electrophoresis, children behave more calmly and sleep better.

After undergoing procedures with current, the orthopedist usually prescribes massage, which in this sequence gives a greater effect.

Other violations

• Neurological disorders.

All neurological processes (central nervous system disorders, tone, intracranial pressure) are associated with insufficient transmission of impulses from the brain to the desired part of the body. The impact of current on the necessary nodes of the passage of such impulses allows you to achieve the desired goal and improve your condition.

• As a pain reliever, electrophoresis is performed before going to a massage therapist or chiropractor.
• For infants, many medications are not available due to their young age.

But you can reduce the effect of food allergies using electrophoresis. A small dose of medicine can be introduced into the body through the pores, which will give a positive result and will not cause side effects.

1. For disorders of the respiratory system, physiotherapy has a vasodilating effect. After the procedure, breathing becomes cleaner and deeper.
2. Diseases of the mucous membranes are exposed to drugs through electrophoresis, thereby providing additional heating.

Contraindications

No matter how effective electrophoresis is in the treatment of many diseases, it cannot always be used.

If the following features are present, electrophoresis may be harmful and should not be prescribed:

• Tumors, regardless of size and location.
• If a cardiac prosthesis is present.
• During inflammatory processes in the body.
• Any rashes, redness, spots on the skin.
• Not prolonged scratches or other damage to the leather at the site where the current is supposed to be supplied.
• If your body temperature is higher than normal.
• In acute cases of bronchial asthma.
• The patient's blood clotting rate is low.
• Allergy to suspected medications.
• Heart diseases.

Electrophoresis with drugs

The process of undergoing the procedure in a newborn

1. After receiving an appointment from a specialist doctor, you need to go to the physiotherapy room and find out what time the appointment is and what you need to have with you.
2. You must come to the office for procedures after feeding your child (at least half an hour must pass between food and procedure).
3. The procedures take place mainly in a horizontal position. If it is impossible to secure the baby while lying down, holding in your arms is an option.
4. Pads soaked in the medicinal composition are applied to the intended area and secured with a fabric tie.
5. The current supply is regulated and the baby's reaction to the occurrence of tingling sensations is monitored.
6. The baby must be kept in one position for 10-20 minutes.
7. After the time is up, the nurse turns off the device and removes the pads.
8. The areas on the body to which the cloth pads were applied are wiped dry.
9. Treatment of reddened skin with baby cream.
10. Warming the place to which the procedure was applied.

How often can I go?

The electrophoresis procedure helps to accumulate the required amount of the drug in the desired area of ​​the newborn baby’s body.

Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed in a course of ten consecutive visits (may be interrupted due to weekends).

It will take more than one month to remove the medicine from the child’s body, so repeated procedures are possible only after three months.

Possible side effects in infants

If the following symptoms appear after the first procedures, you should stop taking the course further:

• Itching.
• Rash.
• Allergic reaction.
• Increased anxiety in the child.

Is it possible to do electrophoresis for a child at home?

There are diseases for which there is no way to come to the clinic every day for procedures. In severe cases of illness, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy at home.

For home treatment you will need:

• Have a portable device to supply current to the required part of the body.
• It is necessary to order a medicine in the required concentration that is suitable for the procedures.
• Invite a medical professional, preferably one who works on modern equipment in the clinic, to receive a master class.

Unfortunately, sometimes even the smallest inhabitants of the planet have to do electrophoresis. Parents should not be afraid of such a procedure; it will not cause pain to the child and will not aggravate the course of the disease. If a pediatrician, orthopedist or neurologist insists on taking a course of electrophoresis, there is no need to resist, because we are talking about the most important thing - the baby’s health.

Source: https://dozhdalis.ru/elektroforez-dlya-grudnichkov.html

Is it possible to perform electrophoresis at home?

By and large, electrophoresis can be carried out at home. However, there is one big BUT: incorrect implementation of the procedure, non-compliance with the time of exposure to current, and violation of the dosage of the administered medication can lead to harmful consequences.

Therefore, the electrophoresis procedure at home should be carried out by a trained person in order to eliminate possible errors and make the procedure safe for the child. Especially when it comes to children under one year old.

For DTPS in children under one year of age, electrophoresis with paraffin and calcium, therapeutic massage and gymnastics are often prescribed as part of complex therapy. In some cases, if there are indications, dispersing mechanisms are prescribed (stirrups, Freik's pillow, plaster in serious cases and mainly for children over one year old).

This procedure can be carried out at home only in consultation with a doctor. In this case, it is necessary to strictly observe the duration of the session. Before the first independent manipulation, it is worth inviting a nurse who will teach you how to use a device intended for home use. It must be remembered that an incorrectly performed procedure can significantly worsen the baby’s condition.

What is the mode of drug electrophoresis?

Treatment with electrophoresis is prescribed by a physiotherapist on the recommendation of a pediatrician or other medical specialist. The procedures are carried out daily or every other day, and the course of treatment requires 10–15 procedures. For electrophoresis, certified portable devices such as “Potok-1”, “Microton-1” and analogues are used. The current is supplied to the body using metal or polymer conductive electrodes, under which a multilayer cloth lining moistened with a solution of the drug is placed. Electrodes are installed over the area of ​​the body that requires medication administration, or in standard reflexogenic zones, such as the collar. The intensity of the current does not exceed the “slight tingling” sensation. The duration of procedures for children is up to 12-13 minutes.

Electrophoresis methods

The corresponding indications allow the use of various electrophoresis techniques.

1. In modern medical practice, electrophoresis with magnesium lotions is widely used. Indications: respiratory diseases. At the same time, magnesium helps improve blood circulation in damaged tissues, restores the emotional and mental state of the baby. In addition, magnesia anesthetizes and relieves spasms.
2. The indications for which electrophoresis according to Ratner is prescribed are mainly the following: disturbances of normal blood circulation in the cervical spine and cerebral palsy.

The essence of the Ratner manipulation is as follows: an electrode with papaverine (1%) is attached to the ribs of the right side of the chest, and aminophylline (0.5%) is attached to the neck.

• Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are widely used together with vitamin C. Indications: gingivitis, paralysis, muscular dystrophy.

Contraindications to these methods are common for electrophoresis in children.

Benefits of electrophoresis for babies

In cases where there are clear indications, this procedure is in many ways preferable to treatment with tablets, since high doses of the drug do not enter the baby’s stomach. This helps reduce the load on the kidneys, liver and spleen. In addition, auxiliary components to which allergic reactions often occur do not enter the child’s body.

The above contraindications make the physiotherapeutic procedure of electrophoresis unacceptable.