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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Babies with Sleep Problems

January 10th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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There are many factors that may be considered when it comes to babies with sleep problems. Parents are advised to have their babies checked by their pediatricians. There may be some health or physical conditions that may be affecting the sleeping patterns of their babies. Parents also have to check the environment where their babies sleep. The sleeping area may not be comfortable and noisy or there are other distractions as well. They will also have to check that the room where their babies sleep has the right temperature, not too warm but not too cold either. The home atmosphere may also affect the sleeping patterns of babies. It is important that all family members including the babies live in a harmonious and tension-free home.

Babies with sleep problems need to be cared of properly especially with the correct feeding. Parents have to see to it that their babies are dry and comfortable as much as possible. They may also need to cuddle and reassure their babies from time to time. This is essential in the development of their babies. Parents may also put some soft and cuddly toys around their babies when they sleep. This may add to their feelings of assurance whenever they have to sleep alone.

Parents having babies with sleep problems may need to try soothing activities. They may sing lullabies or nursery rhymes which they can do together with some gentle back rubbing to put them comfortably to sleep. It is necessary that babies are put to sleep at the same time every night especially when they are growing. They will be able to learn about the routine and it would not be too difficult to put them to sleep at night. Although letting the baby cry is natural, parents have to check first what is making him or her uncomfortable. Parents are now advised to put babies on their back to sleep rather than the usual sleeping position on their stomach.

Babies with sleeping problems may be given other relaxing activities before bedtime such as a warm bath. There are those that would feel comfortable when they are wrapped with soft baby blankets especially for younger babies. Some parents are not able to cope with the stress of handling babies with sleeping problems. As such they may seek some help from their support groups or they may ask someone to help them when they are too tired to deal with the problem. Babies may cry throughout the night but they simply are communicating something that they cannot yet understand and verbalize. If there are no underlying medical conditions that may be causing it, parents will have to learn how to handle babies with sleeping problems.

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