How can a 14-year-old girl have ascites?

Jun 05, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
Common causes of ascites in a 14-year-old girl generally include malnutrition, tuberculous peritonitis, chronic glomerulonephritis, etc., and symptomatic management should be based on the specific condition. A detailed analysis is as follows: Ascites is a common pathological process. If the patient has picky eating habits, leading to prolonged malnutrition, this can result in decreased albumin levels.

Common causes of ascites in a 14-year-old girl generally include malnutrition, tuberculous peritonitis, chronic glomerulonephritis, and others. Symptomatic management should be based on specific circumstances. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Malnutrition

Ascites is a common pathological process. If the patient has picky eating habits leading to prolonged malnutrition, serum albumin levels may decrease, altering plasma osmotic pressure and allowing fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, potentially resulting in ascites. It is recommended to consume more high-calorie, high-vitamin foods, maintain regular meals, and pay attention to a healthy diet.

2. Tuberculous Peritonitis

This condition is a diffuse inflammatory disease primarily caused by bacterial infection. Close contact with an infected individual may allow pathogenic bacteria to enter and abnormally proliferate in the body, triggering tuberculous peritonitis. Inflammatory factors can irritate the intestinal mucosa, causing gastrointestinal dysfunction and possibly leading to ascites. Patients are advised to take medications such as isoniazid tablets or dexamethasone tablets under medical supervision.

3. Chronic Glomerulonephritis

If urinary tract infections or similar conditions are not treated promptly, inflammatory factors may ascend and spread to the kidneys, damaging renal tissues and potentially causing chronic glomerulonephritis. Impaired kidney filtration due to inflammation allows fluid to leak from blood vessels, resulting in ascites. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as hydrochlorothiazide tablets or amlodipine besylate tablets as directed.

In addition, ascites could also result from other conditions such as paragonimiasis-induced peritonitis, cholesterol peritonitis, or liver cirrhosis. It is recommended to control dietary sodium intake and avoid excessively coarse foods in daily life.


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