...that a child has a congenital heart defect can be devastating news to a parent. Early detections and interventions are now in place to properly treat the children with some congenital defect. Just like any other disease, proper treatment and management should be taken into consideration to avoid further complications. When untreated, congenital heart defect would lead to another disease called Eisenmenger Syndrome. Eisenmenger Syndrome is a disease that has so many complications if left untreated. Is Eisenmenger Syndrome treatable or not? During the early years in history, treatment for patients with Eisenmenger Syndrome (ES) was limited. Beghetti & Galie (2009) describe ES as the most advanced form of pulmonary hypertension (PAH) that is associated with congenital heart disease. ES is a disease that is enormously devastating...
Words: 1593 - Pages: 7
...medical research, I now realize it could have been indicative lack of oxygen due to my undiagnosed heart condition. There were many signs during my youth that were indicative of my heart condition that could have been treated differently if the doctors had looked into it. I was always small in stature, I have several eye and vascular issues that were affected by the lack of oxygen, I always worked extra hard within athletics and was very slow to improve. My doctors and I now believe all of these issues could have been much less significant should my Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) have been discovered and repaired early in my life. A simple pulse oximetry test at my birth may have picked up my condition and proper treatment delivered but back in 1999 when I was born that test was not standard procedure after birth at the hospital in which I was born. Similar stories to mine are more common than...
Words: 1573 - Pages: 7
...The Diaphragm and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia The diaphragm is a commonly misunderstood body part. Those who sing appreciate it purely due to their ability to control the diaphragm to enhance their singing. However, its real purpose in the human body is more important than that. The diaphragm plays such a crucial role in everyday life to the extent that one cannot survive without it. In this paper we will consider the role of the diaphragm through its anatomy and physiology. We will then review a congenital birth defect known as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and how it changes the anatomy and physiology of the body. We will also look at current research and prognosis of the disease in an effort to gain a better understanding of this often-fatal defect. The diaphragm is located almost centrally in the body. It is a continuous sheet of muscle that spreads across the bottom of the rib cage creating a divide between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity. As detailed in the text Gray’s Anatomy, the convex upper surface of the diaphragm faces the thorax and forms the bottom of the thoracic cavity. The concave inferior surface is pointed towards the abdomen and is mostly covered in peritoneum forming the superior part of the abdominal cavity. The right side of the diaphragm is superior to the right lobe of the liver, the right kidney, and the right adrenal gland. The left side of the diaphragm lays over the left lobe of the liver, the fundus of...
Words: 2636 - Pages: 11
...Case Study 16: Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Chile Abstract Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformation to congenital heart disease and affected 400 babies in Chile annually before a fortification legislation was passed to use fortified flour with folic acid. This fortification reduced spina bifida by 51% and anencephaly by 46% (Levine, 2007). Team One will share answers to questions about this study and research of the problem. The globally astute nurse can provide education and become an advocate to continue to reduce these congenital birth defects through improving the health of women and children and thus all humanity. Case Study Sixteen: Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Chile Despite efforts to reduce neural tube defects, more than 300,000 children are born with neural tube defects annually (CDC, 2012). In Chile, fortification with folate reduced birth defects. Public and private partnerships are necessary for the success of ventures to improve healthcare. Fortification with folate in the diet can be replicated, but must be attune to cultural diet and nutrition habits. Global education is a critical link to success in combating disease and especially with neural tube defects. Once leaders are aware and efforts can focus on problems for education, intervention and evaluation, global health can be improved and the sustainability of our people and planet can continue. Question...
Words: 2171 - Pages: 9
...Plastic Bronchitis Melanie Contreras Boise State University Abstract Plastic Bronchitis (PB) is a rare pathological disease which is characterized by the expectoration of bronchial casts. The bronchial casts obstruct the airway and cause life-threatening airway obstruction if undiagnosed and untreated. The mortality rate of plastic bronchitis is upwards of 50%. Due to its rarity, PB is hard to diagnose and has similar symptoms to other respiratory conditions. PB has been characterized into two parts; one is easier to treat while the other is not. Plastic Bronchitis Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare pathologic condition that has a high mortality rate of up to 50% (Lis et al., 2014). Plastic bronchitis...
Words: 1246 - Pages: 5
... Down syndrome (DS) or Trisomy 21 is a complex developmental genetic disorder in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. Normally, a fertilized egg has 23 pairs of chromosomes. But in most cases, people living with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21 also known as Trisomy 21, which is responsible for 95% Down syndrome cases and most common genetic cause of human mental retardation, with an incidence of 1-600/1-1000 live births. It is also responsible for premature pregnancy failure. It is the leading cause of cognitive impairment. Down syndrome occurs because of an abnormality characterized by an extra copy of genetic material on all or part of the 21st chromosome. Every cell in the body contains genes that are grouped along chromosomes in the cell's nucleus or center. There are normally 46 chromosomes in each cell, 23 inherited from your mother and 23 from your father. When some or all of a person's cells have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21, the result is Down syndrome. Down syndrome is associated with mild to moderate learning disabilities, developmental delays, characteristic facial features, and low muscle tone in early infancy. Many individuals with Down syndrome also have heart defects, leukemia, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, gastro-intestinal problems, and other health issues. The symptoms of Down syndrome range from mild to severe. Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has dramatically increased over the past...
Words: 1776 - Pages: 8
...Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for Anatomy and Physiology, Ms. Walter Spring 2013 Things That Can Go Wrong With the Human Body: Hypothyroidism Introduction: Over time, a significant amount of problems with the human body have evolved. These problems have been developed due to both environmental and genetic factors. Dietary changes and urbanization have also played a crucial role in the development of problems that may occur. Our bodies contain a number of functioning systems that are all imperative to our survival. Without these systems, our bodies would not function and in turn, we would cease to exist. The endocrine system serves as one of the body’s ways of sending messages to the brain. It includes a number of vital glands that keep our body’s performance stable and functional. The thyroid gland is one of the most important components in the endocrine system. It is located in the neck, just under the voice box. Its primary function is to release the hormones thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which control body metabolism, by taking iodine from our food and converting it into these hormones. When the levels of T4 and T3 become too low, the pituitary gland must produce a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which then activates the thyroid gland to generate more hormones. (Norman, 2012). If the thyroid gland does not work properly, these hormones cannot be produced on their own. This condition is known as Hypothyroidism. This paper examines the types and...
Words: 2379 - Pages: 10
...CNS Defects Assignment Hydrocephalus is a condition that can be either congenital or acquired. This is a medical condition indicated by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain. The Greek break down of the word is hydro meaning water and cephalous meaning head. This water is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear fluid that is found in the spinal canal and surrounding the brain. Excess fluid on the brain can be potentially fatal to the person if not caught in time. When the flow of CSF is restricted it is depicted as hydrocephalus. This condition occurs in an estimated one out of every 1500 births. “Hydrocephalus is a collection of a heterogeneous complex and multifactorial disorders” (Zhang, Williams, Rigamonti, 2006, p. 1256)....
Words: 1262 - Pages: 6
...SYPHILIS DEFINITION Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact. Although this disease is spread from sores, the vast majority of those sores go unrecognized. The infected person is often unaware of the disease and unknowingly passes it on to his or her sexual partner. It is caused by a spirochete and is acquired through sexual contact. It may also be congenital in nature. ETIOLOGIC AGENT The infection is caused by a spirochete, Treponema pallidum. * T. pallidum has no other host but man. * From a fresh smear taken from a lesion, T. pallidum appears as a shiny, twirling thread twisting its way in a wave-like corkscrew motion through the debris in the smear. * it is believed that the spirochete can pass through the mucosa even through a crack on its surface may not be visible at the site of entry. 4. The organism is also able to pass through the plancenta and infect the developing fetus within the body of a syphilitic mother. 5. The spirochete does not withstand drying, but withstand considerable temperature variation. 6. Based on studies, the organism has been found alive in a drinking glass a half-hour after the glass has been rinsed with cold water. SOURCES OF INFECTION * Discharges from ovious or concealed lesions of the skin or mucous membranes. * The semen, blood...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...Infants who are severely affected by symptoms, such as heart and kidney malformations, and are unresponsive to treatment are known to die during infancy . A majority of individuals with Cat Eye Syndrome have a normal life expectancy with appropriate treatment. Cat eye syndrome was specifically defined in 1965 when researchers reported cases of individuals with similar symptoms. After tests had been performed it was concluded that the defects occurred on chromosome 22 and the name Cat eye syndrome was given. Most of the features implicated with cat eye syndrome involve the eyes, ears, anal region, heart, and kidneys.More specifically, individuals with cat eye syndrome frequently have downwards slanting eyelids, widely spaced eyes, crossed eyes, or one eye noticeably smaller than the other. Because cat eye syndrome affects many different systems of the body, medical management is often provided by a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Treatment for this condition varies based on the signs and symptoms present in each person. For example, congenital heart defects; anal atresia; cleft lip and/or palate;...
Words: 1527 - Pages: 7
...INTRODUCTION Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a rare form of pediatric congenital heart defect that affects only 1% of all congenital cardiac disease. HLHS accounts for 23% of all cardiac deaths within the first week of life. HLHS exists under any or all of the following: “hypoplasia of the left ventricle, stenosis/atresia of the aortic valve, stenosis/atresia of the mitral valve, and varying degrees of hypoplasia of the ascending aorta and aortic arch” (Dadlani and Bradley 2011). Without surgical intervention, HLHS is uniformly a fatal condition. Research shows that before the use of these surgical interventions, nearly 90% of all patients diagnosed with HLHS died within the first 30 days of life. Advancements in both pediatric cardiac surgery as well and pediatric cardiology has significantly decreased the fatality rate in HLHS patients over the past decade. When looking at courses of treatment for HLHS there are four main approaches that are commonly used worldwide: The Norwood Palliation,...
Words: 925 - Pages: 4
... Introduction to Clinical Applications Objectives In this chapter we will study • various approaches to the study of disease; • the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; • common causes of disease; • the distinction between signs and symptoms of disease; • terms used to describe the time course of a disease; and • common abbreviations for medical specialists and specialties. Homeostasis and Disease The body’s tendency to maintain internal stability is called homeostasis. Examples include the body’s relatively stable temperature, blood glucose concentration, hormone levels, acid-base balance, and electrolyte balance. When physiological variables deviate too much from their set point, the body activates negative feedback loops that tend to restore stability and maintain health. In some cases, such as the stoppage of bleeding, positive feedback loops are activated to bring about rapid change. If the attempt to regain homeostasis fails, disease results. There is a strong emphasis in medicine today on promoting wellness through prevention. However, this manual focuses on what happens when prevention fails, homeostasis is disrupted, and disease occurs. The Study of Disease Disease (illness) is any deviation from normal that interferes with correct, life-sustaining bodily function. Literally, the word means dis-ease, the opposite of ease (comfort and normal function). Disease may have underlying structural foundations, such as a broken bone, and its effects...
Words: 3427 - Pages: 14
...Heart Failure is a progressive heart disease when the muscle of the heart is weakened that cannot pump blood as it should be, the blood backs up into the blood vessels around the lungs and the other part of the body (NHS Choice, 2015). In heart failure, the heart is not able to maintain a normal range cardiac output to meet metabolic need of the body (Kemp and Conte, 2012). Heart failure is a major worldwide public health problem, is the end stage of heart disease and it could lead to high mortality. At present, the heart failure was thought it is associated with older age, given the dramatic increase in the population of older people (ACCF/AHA, 2013).In the USA, there have about 5.7 million adults have heart failure, about half of the people...
Words: 2148 - Pages: 9
...Do Bioprosthetic Heart Valves Pose a Greater Risk than Mechanical Heart Valves in the Development of Infective Endocarditis? Prosthetic heart valves are, undoubtedly, one of the most profound innovations to be introduced into the medical community. In 1961 the Starr-Edwards ball and cage mitral valve became the first commercially available mechanical heart valve. In 1969, the Bjork-Shiley tilting disk valve emerged, which was then followed by the St. Jude Medical bi-leaflet valve in 1977. In addition to the creation of mechanical valves, bioprosthetic valves were also being developed; and in1968 the Hancock and Carpentier-Edwards porcine mitral valve became a popular alternative to the mechanical valve (Wheatley and Will, 2005, p.1). Over the...
Words: 1314 - Pages: 6
...1. Congenital rubella: a) Has an incubation period of 7-10 days. b) May be complicated by polyarthralgia. c) Rarely causes deafness. d) Is an indication for termination if it occurs in the first two months of pregnancy. e) May cause prolonged jaundice. 2. Recognised causes of delayed bone age include: a) Hypopiturtarism b) Primary hypothyroidism c) Congenital adrenal hypoplasia d) Prolonged corticosteroid therapy e) Tuberculosis 3. Kwashiorkor: a) Hypothermia is a recognized complication T b) Edema is mainly due to protein losing enteropathy. T c) Measles is a recognized precipitant F d) The incidence is highest in the first two month of life F e) The birth of a second child to the mother may be a contributory factor F 4. At the age of eight months a baby can be expected to: a) Roll over from front to back T b) Sit up with a straight back T c) Pick a small bead between thumb and finger T d) Say up to five word clearly F e) Feed himself with a spoon F 5. if a child in the ward's develops measles, the following action are appropriate a) Close the wards to all admissions for one week F b) Actively immunized all the other patients against measles T c) Give gamma globulin to all patients who have not been immunized or had measles T d) Forbid visiting by the parents until the rash has gone F e) Give prophylactic antibiotics to all contacts at home T 6. Convulsion in the first week of life is characteristic of a) Hypocalcaemia T b) Post maturity...
Words: 12009 - Pages: 49