Babies and Congenital Heart Defects

February 17th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Babies may have some congenital heart defects as they are born. These defects may refer to some problems with the structure of the heart which may include the interior walls, the valves as well as the arteries and the veins which bring blood to and from the heart. Congenital heart defects may affect the blood circulation and these may be simple heart defects that may not show any symptoms to these may also be severe with some life-threatening symptoms. There are may be some babies that would need immediate medical attention right after birth especially if they are suffering from complex and severe congenital heart defects.

However, with the advancement of medication and treatment methods, even babies with complex and severe congenital defects may still develop and grow into adulthood. They may also have the chance to live productive lives if their congenital heart defects are treated properly though they need some special care and attention. They may also have to know certain limitations later when it comes to insurance, to work, pregnancy and some other concerns. However, with the help of family and friends, they will be able to live lives as normally as possible.

There are several factors that can contribute to congenital heart defects. Various genetic as well as environmental factors may affect the development of the heart of the fetus at the early stages of pregnancy. Mothers who are also exposed to certain medication during their first trimester may have babies with congenital heart defects. Certain drugs and medications alter the normal development of the heart of the fetus. Mothers who are suffering from illnesses such as diabetes during pregnancy may also be a contributing factor in the abnormal development of the heart. Other environmental factors include alcohol and drug abuse and exposure to dangerous chemicals may also affect the normal development of the heart.

There are times when there is an extra or a missing chromosome during the development of the heart and this may cause babies to have congenital heart defects. However, most of the time, the real causes may not exactly be known. There are some modern equipment such as the fetal echocardiography that can be used to detect heart malformations or abnormalities as early as 12 weeks. Parents may consult with their doctors about the possible early detection of any heart problem that may occur. Pre-natal care and checkups are necessary routines in order to ensure proper development of the fetus and all body systems that are needed. Likewise, early detection of congenital heart defects may help the parents to cope with the problem as early as possible.

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Jaundice in Healthy Newborns

February 16th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Mothers may often observe that jaundice in healthy newborns may also be expected. This may be referred to as physiological jaundice which may go away after a week or two. However, if mothers observe that the yellowish skin color persists longer, they may bring their babies to their doctors for proper diagnosis as there might be some serious liver disease. Babies who also develop jaundice within the first 24 hours of life would require medical attention.

Jaundice in healthy newborns may be caused by the building up of a yellow substance in the blood which is called bilirubin.  This substance should be processed by the liver so that it may be excreted from the baby’s body though the stools. However, the building up of bilirubin in the bodies of some babies may be too fast and their livers are not able to process it. This condition may happen because there are more red blood cells found in newborn babies and these cells have shorter lifespan. The breaking down and the removal of this yellowish substance take a little longer time to happen.

Jaundice in healthy newborns may occur at about 60% of them. There may be more cases of such condition especially with pre-term babies. Some healthy newborns who are breastfed may also have jaundice until they are about a month old. However, mothers have to seek medical assistance if they observe the condition for more than two weeks or their babies only start having jaundice after seven days of life. Mothers should also bring their babies to their doctors if they observe that the stools of their babies are chalky white.

In most cases, jaundice in healthy newborns may be corrected through light treatment or phototherapy. This may facilitate the removal of the bilirubin substance in their blood. In severe jaundice conditions, blood transfusion may be recommended. This process will replace the baby’s blood with one that does not have any bilirubin. If babies do not receive immediate medical attention when severe jaundice has been detected, they may develop some complication known as kernicterus. This may happen when the bilirubin substance enters the brain and this can cause damage or death in the brain.

Physiological jaundice in healthy newborns may be expected because their body systems are still developing. Once the bilirubin disposal body system matures, the extra red blood cells decrease and the jaundice go away. This type of jaundice in healthy newborns generally causes no harm. However, premature babies are more prone to this because their bodies have lesser ability to deal with the extra bilirubin.

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Newborn Babies with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

January 15th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Most mothers have fears of having newborn babies with a cleft lip or a cleft palate or both. A cleft lip is any opening on the lip. A cleft palate is also an opening but in the roof of the newborn’s mouth. These physical defects are results of incomplete development while the baby is still inside the mother’s womb. The lips as well as the palates develop on each side on the first trimester and normally come together to create two fused vertical lines and become the upper lip. The two sides of the palate also follow the same process of coming together. Cleft palate as a birth defect should be treated using surgery so that the newborn will not have any problems with feeding, speaking and hearing.

Although medical experts are not sure what really causes cleft lip and cleft palate, there are some factors that may contribute to these birth defects and to happen while the fetus is developing. Among the suspected factors include the use of medication during pregnancy as well as the use and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs. Pregnant women who are smoking and who may be exposed to radiation as well as to infections may also be likely to have babies with these birth defects. There are times when these physical defects are caused by genetic factors.

Pregnant women have to see to it that they keep themselves healthy even before getting pregnant. Those who have some family history of cleft lip or cleft palate may want to opt for genetic counseling. Cleft palate may not readily be seen upon birth unlike the cleft lip that can be seen right away. The location of the cleft palate may determine the extent of problems that the newborn babies may encounter especially with feeding. Though ultrasound may at times detect the occurrence of a cleft palate at about 14-16 weeks during pregnancy, it may not always find the problem even when used to diagnose pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Newborn babies with cleft palate may be treated with surgery by the time they reach 12 months. Other babies may have to undergo several surgical procedures until they reach their teens. There may also be other problems that should be treated as well. These may include problems with speech, hearing or even with teeth as well as sinus and ear infections. Other babies may have also some problems that are related to the surgical procedure that has been done.

Newborn babies with cleft lip or cleft palate conditions may not be easy for the parents as well. However, they can seek some support groups who are undergoing similar problems. Family and friends may also give their love and support to make things more bearable for the baby and for the parents as well.

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