Ch. 10 - Diseases of Infancy and Childhood Flashcards
what kills children globally?
#1 = malnutrition #2 = infections (pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria)
perinate
around time of birth
neonatal period
first four weeks of life
infancy
first year of life (death during this period is most often due to SIDS, congenital anomalies and prematurity)
congenital anomalies
morphologic defects that are present at birth, but may not become clinically apparent until years later. term means “born with” – but does not imply or exclude a genetic basis for birth defect
• most common cause of mortality in the first year
malformations
: represent primary errors of morphogenesis, in which there is an intrinsically abnormal developmental process
• usually associated with multiple genetic loci (multifactorial) and not eh result of a single gene or chromosomal defect
• i.e. congenital heart defects, anencephaly (absence of brain)
dirsuptions
result from secondary destruction of an organ or body region that was previously normal in development; disruptions arise from extrinsic disturbance in morphogenesis
• amniotic bands
• these are NOT heritable
deformations
like disruptions, also represent an extrinsic disturbance of development rather than an intrinsic error of morphogenesis. They are due to localized or generalized compression of the growing fetus by abnormal biomechanical forces, leading eventually to a variety of structural abnormalities
• ex. uterine constraint – most common cause of deformations – in 35th-38th week
• could be due to maternal factors (i.e. small or deformed uterus), fetal or placental factors (oligohydramnios, multiple fetuses)
• ex. club feet seen in Potter sequence
Potter’s sequence
problems with kidneys/amniotic leak –> oligohydramnios –> fetal compression –> pulmonary hypoplasia, flat face, positioning defects of hands and feet, breech presentations
sequence?
a cascade of anomalies triggered by one initiating aberration
• ex. oligohydramnios (or Potter) sequence
• Causes of oligohydramnios: amniotic rupture, uteroplacental insufficiency from maternal HTN or toxemia, renal agenesis in fetus
• nodules in the amnion are frequently present: amnion nodosum
amnion nodosum
nodules on the fetal surface of the amnion, and is frequently present in oligohydramnios.
syndrome
a constellation of congenital anomalies, believed to be pathological. In contrast to a sequence, it cannot be explained on the basis of a single, localized initiating defect
• most often caused by single etiologic agent, such as viral infection or chromosomal abnormality that affects multiple tissues
agenesis
complete absence of an organ – and its associated primordium (primordium = organ/tissue in its earliest recognizable stage of development)
aplasia
- imcomplete/defective development, no organ development
- only most rudimentary organ present due to failure of development of the primordium
atresia
: the absence of an opening – usually a hollow visceral organ – such as trachea or intestine
hypoplasia
incomplete development/decreased size of an organ with decreased numbers of cells
hyperplasia
enlargement of an organ due to increased number of cells
hypertrophy/hypotrophy
increase or decrease in size (rather than number of cells in an organ)
dysplasia
an abnormal organization of cells (in the context of malformations) – not neoplasia
causes of death in children under 1 year?
- congenital malformations
- disorders related to short gestation
- SIDS
causes of death of children ages 1-4?
- accidents
- congenital malformations
- malignant neoplasms
causes of death children ages 5-14?
- accidents
- malignant neoplasms
- homicide
cause of death children ages 15-24?
- accidents
- homicide
- suicide
most comon birth defects?
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and cleft palate/cleft lip
if pinna of ear is deformed?
look for other morphologic abnormalities, because these are being formed from weeks 4-10
holoprosencephaly
most common defect of forebrain and midface – due to loss of function in Hedgehog signaling pathways
- a cephalic disorder in which the prosencephalon (the forebrain of the embryo) fails to develop into two hemispheres.
achondroplasia
most common form of short-limb dwarfism –
caused by gain of function mutations in FGFR3 – which is a negative regulator of bone growth –
activating this mutation exaggerates the physiologic inhibition.
Rubella virus
o at risk period: shortly after conception → 16 weeks gestation
o “Rubella syndrome”: cataracts, heart defects, deafness and mental retardation [heart defects include- persistent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary aa. hypoplasia/stenosis, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot]
cytomegalovirus
o most common fetal viral infection
o at risk period: second trimester
o because organogenesis is completed at end of first trimester, congenital malformations are more rare
o virus induced injury on formed organs is severe
o see damage to CNS: mental retardation, microcephaly, deafness, hepatosplenomegally
trimesters
First trimester (week 1-week 12) Second trimester (week 13-week 28) Third trimester (week 29-week 40)
thalidomide
chemical that causes limb abnormalities due to downregulation of wingless (WNT) signaling pathway through upregulation of endogenous WNT repressors.
- was used against nausea and to alleviate morning sickness in pregnant women.
- infants were born with malformation of the limbs (phocomelia)
alcohol during pregnancy?
see sublet cognitive and behavioral defects in fetus called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) – causes growth retardation, microcephaly, atrial septal defect, short palpebral fissures and maxillary hypoplasia (“fetal alcohol syndrome”)
radiation during pregnancy?
o exposure to heavy doses during organogenesis causes malformations like microcephaly, blindness, skull defects, spina bifida
diabeticembryopathy
: maternal hyperglycemia-induced fetal hyperinsulinemia results in increased body fat, mm mass, and organomegaly (fetal macrosomia); cardiac anomalies, neural tube defects and CNS malformations
fetal macrosomia
organomegaly - seen with maternal diabetes
multifactorial inheritence
(interaction between two or more genes of small effect, with environmental factors)
• arise as a result of inheritance of multiple genetic polymorphisms that confer a “susceptibility phenotype”
• ex. congenital dislocation of the hip – shallow acetabular socket and laxity of supporting ligaments are genetically determined, where as breech position is environmental factor
embryonic period
(first 9 weeks of pregnancy)
• Early embryonic period (first three weeks): injurious agent damages cells causing abortion or allowing ebryo to recover without developing defects
• Between 3rd and 9th weeks – the embryo is extremely susceptible to teratogenesis: the peak sensitivity is b/w fourth and fifth weeks – during this period organs are being crafted out of germ cell layers
fetal period
(week 10- birth): follows organogenesis – is marked by further growth and maturation of the organs, with reduced susceptibility to teratogenic agents
• fetus is susceptible to growth retardation or injury in already formed organs
cyclopamine
teratogen from CA lily – pregnant ewes that eat it produce lambs with craniofacial abnormalities and holoprosencephaly and “cyclopia” – due to inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling
valproic acid
anti-epileptic that disrupts expression of homeobox proteins (HOX) genes – these are necessary for patterning of limbs, vertebrae and craniofacial structures. Mutations in HOX family genes are responsible for congenital anomalies that mimc valproic acid embryopathy
abscence of retinol
Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for normal dev. and differentiation – absence causes malformations in eyes, GI system, CV system, diaphragm and lungs.
xs retinol
But excess causes retinoic acid embryopathy: includes CNS, cardiac and craniofacial defects such as cleft lip/palate. May be due to dysregulation of TGF-beta pathway
AGA/SGA/LGA
preterm
posterm
AGA = appropriate for gestational age SGA = small for gestational age- associated with FGR LGA = large for gestational age - assoc. w/ maternal diabetes preterm = infants born before 37 weeks post-term = infants born after 42 week
prematurity
= less than 37 weeks; it is the second most common cause of neonatal mortality, behind congenital anomalies
PPROM
preterm premature rupture of placental membranes
• clinical risk factors: prior history of preterm delivery, vaginal bleeding, maternal smoking, low socioeconomic status, poor maternal nutrition
• Polymorphisms in TNF (immune regulation) and Matrix metalloproteinases 1,8,9 (collage breakdown) have been associated with PPROM
• pathophys. of PPROM includes inflammation of placental membranes and enhanced collagen degradation by MMPs
PROM
spontaneous ROM occurring after 37 weeks gestation – associated risk to fetus is greatly reduced
PPROM and intrauterine infections
: major cause of preterm labor without intact membranes
• inflammation of the placental membranes (chorioamnionitis) and inflammation of the fetal umbilical cord (funisitis) result from intrauterine infection
• Most common organisms: Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalisis, Trichomonas, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia
• Infection results in TLR activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide resulting in inflammation-induced preterm labor. Furthermore signals produced by some TLRs (i.e. TLR4) deregulte prostaglandin expression, which in turn induces uterine smooth mm. contraction
chorioamnionitis
inflamm. of placental membranes
funisitis
inflamm. of fetal umbilical cord
three reasons for PPROM?
intrauterine infections
uterine,cervical and placental abnormalities
multiple gestation
hazards of prematurity
- Hyaline membrane disease (neonatal RDS)
- necrotizing enterocolitis
- sepsis
- intraventricular hemorrhage
- mental development delay
FGR
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) commonly underlies SGA – results in intrauterine growth retardation: three causes
- Fetal influences: chromosomal disorders, congenital anomalies, congenital infections (TORCH organisms, commonly responsible for FGR – toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus)
- Placental Influences:
• uteroplacental insufficiency: may result from umbilical placental vascular anomalies, placental abruption, placenta previa (insertion in the cervix), placental thrombosis/infarction/infection or multiple gestations
• placental causes of FGR tend to result in asymmetric growth retardation with relative sparing of the brain
• Confined placental mosaicism: genetic mosaicism confined to the placenta is a cause of FGR – if the mutation occurs later and within dividing trophoblast or extraembryonic progenitor cells in the ICM - Maternal influences:
• decreased placental blood flow
• vascular diseases, i.e. preeclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy = high blood pressure of pregnancy) and chronic HTN, inherited thrombophilias (ex. Factor V Leiden mutation)
• narcotic abuse, alcohol intake, heavy cigarette smoking, maternal malnutrition (prolonged hypoglycemia)
TORCH
(TORCH organisms, commonly responsible for FGR – toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus)
preeclampsia
• vascular diseases, i.e. preeclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy = high blood pressure of pregnancy) = maternal influence of FGR
hyaline membrane disease
RDS = • called hyaline membrane disease because of the deposition of a layer of hyaline proteinacecous material in the peripheral airspaces of infants who succumb to this condition
Waxy-appearing layers of hyaline membrane line the collapsed alveoli of the lung.
RDS associations?
• presents in preterm and AGA: strong associations with male gender, maternal diabetes, C-sections
general presenation of RDS?
• Within a few minutes they have rhythmic breathing, within 30 minutes breathing becomes more difficult, within a few hours cyanosis becomes evident
IRDS begins shortly after birth and is manifest by tachypnea, tachycardia, chest wall retractions (recession), expiratory grunting, nasal flaring and cyanosis during breathing efforts.
- fine rales are heard over both lung fields
- CXR shows uniform densities called “ground-glass picture”
dx of IRDS?
The diagnosis is made by the clinical picture and the chest xray, which demonstrates decreased lung volumes (bell-shaped chest), absence of the thymus (after about 6 hours), a small (0.5–1 mm), discrete, uniform infiltrate (sometimes described as a “ground glass” appearance or as of recently described as “diffuse airspace and interstitial opacities”) that involves all lobes of the lung, and air-bronchograms
Etiology of IRDS?
- Results from lungs being immature
- incidence is inversely proportionate to gestational age
- Fundamental defect is due to deficiency of pulmonary surfactant → increased surface tension in the alveoli → more pressure required to keep the alveoli patent and aerated → deficiency causes lungs to collapse with each successive breath so infants must work hard with each successive breath → “stiff atelectactic lungs”
mutations of surfactant genes?
• surfactant mutations in : SFTPB or SFTBC genes
when is surfactant produced? what hormones?
• surfactant production by type II alveolar cells is accelerated after the 35th week of gestation in fetus – thus premature babies are at greater risk
• hormones modulating synthesis: Cortisol, Insulin, prolactin, thyroxine, TGF-B. Role of glucocorticoids is important
o increased uterine stresss → increased corticosteroid release → lower risk of developing RDS
o labor is also known to increase surfactant synth
morphology of IRDS?
• Lungs are solid, airless, reddish purple and sink in water
• microscopically alveoli are poorly developed and are collapsed
• necrotic cellular debris can be seen in the terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts, it becomes incorporated into the membranes which are largely made of fibrin → causing formation of hyaline membrane
• see neutrophilic inflamm. rxn with these membranes
Note: Atelectasis = collapsed lung
clinical course of IRDS?
- Clinical tx has improved with use of exogenous surfactant
- analysis of amniotic fluid phospholipids provides a good estimate of level of surfactant in the alveolar lining
- surfactant has been shown to help infants as young as 26-28 weeks
- antenatal corticosteroids decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality when administered to mothers with premature delivery at 24-34 weeks
oxygen toxicity
a hazard of therapy caused by O2 freee radicals – high concentrations of O2 administration for prolonged periods cause two well known complications:
o retrolental fibroplasia aka “retinopathy of prematurity” in the eyes
o bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD):
retinopathy of prematurity
o retrolental fibroplasia aka “retinopathy of prematurity” in the eyes
• retinopathy is due to sharp decrease in VEGF, which serves as a survival factor for endothelial cells and promotes angiogenesis
• during hyperpoxic phase of RDS, VEGF is decreased, causing endothelial cell apoptosis
BPD
o bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD):
• need at least 28 days of O2 therapy in an infant who is beyond 36 weeks to be called BPD
• BPD is airway epithelial hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia, alveolar wall thickening, and peribronchial as well as interstitial fibrosis
• see decrease in alveolar septation (large simplified alveolar structures) and a dysmorphic capillary configuration
• caused by the reversible impairement in the development of alveolar septation in the saccular stage
• Contributing factors: hyperoxemia, hyperventilation, prematurity, inflamm cytokines (TNF, IL-1B, IL6, IL8), vascular maldevelopment
• infants who succumb to BPD have dysmorphic capillaries and reduced levels of VEGF
• infants who recover are at risk of developing patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis
NEC
- NEC is most common in premature infants – occurs in 1 out of 10 low birth weight infants
- **breakdown of mucosal barrier allows transluminal migration of gut bacteria → inflammation → mucosal necrosis → increased bacterial entry → culminates in sepsis and shock
- Clinical Features: bloody stools, abdominal distention, development of circulatory collapse.
- Pneumatosis intestinalis: abdominal radiographs show gas within the intestinal wall
- NEC typically involves the terminal ileum, cecum and right colon
- infected segment is distended, friable, congested and gangrenous
- see mucosal coagulative necrosis, ulceration, bacterial colonization and submucosal gas bubbles
- infants that survive surgery will often have post-NEC strictures: ;fibrosis caused by the healing process.
what inflamm. mediator of NEC?
inflammatory mediators: Platelet activating factor (PAF)- increases mucosal permeability by promoting enterocyte apoptosis and compromising intercelluluar tight junctions
pneumatosisintestinalis
abdominal radiographs show gas within the intestinal wall (seen in NEC)
transcervical/ascending infection
- most bacteria and a few viral (herpes simplex II) infections
- fetus acquires infection by inhaling infected amniotic fluid into lungs shortly after birth, or by passing through infected birth canal during delivery
- fetus infected by inhalation → most commonly get pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis
transplacental infection
Transplacental (Hematologic) Infections:
• most parasitic (toxoplasma, malari) and viral infections with a few bacterial (Listeria, treponema) gain access to fetal bloodstream transplacentally via chorionic villi
- Parvovirus B19
- TORCH groups
• infection may result in spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, hydrops fetalis, and congenital anemia
P-virus B19
• Parvovirus B19: causes erythema infectiosum (“fifth disease” Fifth disease is an illness caused by a virus that leads to a rash on the cheeks, arms, and legs)
ex. of transplacental infection
what do TORCH infections cause?
• TORCH group of infections: evoke fever, encephalitis, chorioretinitis, hepatosplenomegaly, pneumonitis, myocarditis, hemolytic anemia, vesicular/hemorrhagic skin lesions
- seen transplacentally