Congenital diseases in children
Some infants are born with diseases called congenital abnormalities and these abnormalities are present in infant right from the birth. Congenital diseases basically are result of lack of nutrients and other problems affecting during the gestation period. During the development of baby, mother incurs some infections and complications which might affect fetus in the womb resulting congenital disease.
It has also been reported that congenital disease are incurred due to heredity and if the problem is prevailing in the family then the next generation has more chances of getting congenital disease. Read out types of congenital abnormalities which could be found in new infants.
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is one of the birth defects that could be found in infants that involves incomplete development of the spinal cord. This abnormality occurs during the first month of pregnancy when the spine of the embryo fails to join leaving an open space. There are types of severity in spina bifida i.e. Spina bifida occulta and Spina bifida manifesta.
Different causes of spina bifida have been highlighted such as high fevers during pregnancy and some drugs taken during pregnancy also lead to spina bifida in children. Children with this abnormality may suffers from problems of bowel and bladder control, other diseases like ADHD, inability in learning and hand-eye coordination problems. Children with spina bifida develop some paralysis and degree of paralysis largely depends on where the opening occurs in spine. If the opening in the spine is high, chances of paralysis are more severe.
Certain prenatal tests may help parents to find out if would be child is suffering from spina bifida or not. The symptoms of spina bifida may have no outward signs except some of birthmark like dimple or patch of hair present over the lower spine. The treatment involves operation during infancy which might treat the disease.
Umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernia is another congenital problem in which there is an outward bulging protrusion of the abdominal lining through the area around navel. Though it doesn’t create problem but could be associated with rare conditions like down disease, and beckwith-widemann syndrome. The protruding belly occurs commonly in infants when the muscle through which blood vessels pass in order to feed fetus doesn’t close completely.
In some cases this problem needed no treatment but in some cases there is a need of operation or surgery when the bowel or other tissue protrude out and lose blood supply.
Sickle cell disorder
Sickle cell disorder is an abnormality which affects red blood cells containing abnormal type of hemoglobin. People suffering from sickle cell disease have abnormal type of hemoglobin present in their blood that becomes crescent shape obstruction the way when passing through small blood vessels. This sickle cell doesn’t live in the blood for more than 16 days and distorts, become stiff and could not pass through blood vessels.
This disease is congenital inherited from parents in the same way as other parts and traits. The treatment in infants starts with the vaccination and also given antibiotics, blood transfusion is another way to help sickle cell disease.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is inherited disorder of mucus gland affecting other body parts like digestive system, reproductive system and other organs. Mucus is important slippery substance which lubricates and aide airways. During cystic fibrosis mucus produced is usually thick which affects lungs by blocking air ducts, intestines and pancreas.
Cystic fibrosis obstructs lungs by blocking airways making them vulnerable to infections. It also makes stomach weak and also many children develop problem of constipation and indigestion during cystic fibrosis. Although it is a rare disorder effecting one out of 2000 or 3000 infants. Children suffering from this inherited disease have to be diagnosed at early stage when the symptoms start initially so that other problems could be ceased. The susceptible children can be treated with various antibiotics.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is a commonly found genetic disorder affecting small intestine and ability to digest important nutrients. A person affecting with celiac disease usually damage its small intestine lining by the body’s immunity system when ever person eats gluten containing food.
Gluten is an ingredient of protein usually found in cereal and grains like wheat, oats, barley and rye. When gluten is eaten in the form of food, an abnormal reaction takes place in intestine lining which flatten out when exposed to gluten protein.
The symptoms of celiac disease are seen as excessive gas, acidity, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and bone pain and weight loss. If not treated with due to time it can result in malnutrition, nutrient deficiency leading to numerous diseases.
Clubfoot
Clubfoot or talipes is a condition found in infants affecting either single or both feet and mostly found in boys than girls. The foot of babies turns inwards or outwards in this disease and affects every one child in 1000 babies. Parents suffering from this inherited disease are highly risked that they can pass on this disease to their child. It has to be treated soon in the infants so that they won’t face problem in walking in future course. Treatment of talipes or clubfoot involves physiotherapy, plaster casts, special splints and boots.
Cleft palate
Cleft palate is congenital disorder in which left lip and palate are fused and unable a child to feed, hearing, eating and talking. This can only be treated with small surgery which involves closing of the lip and palate. This usually caused by abnormal facial development during development of baby in the womb. The cleft on the lip effects nose, ears, cheeks, eyes and forehead. The treatment is only through surgery which is conducted just after the birth in various sessions.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is inherited neurological disorder occurs in infants during childhood or present with birth affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is a defect in brain due to which body parts and their movement is affected. The symptoms and signs may start appearing in a child when reaches age of 3 or 4. This abnormality is permanent but could only be improved with the help of medicines that may reduce some of the repercussions.
