Congenital abnormalities Flashcards
What is neural tube defect?
Impaired closure of the neural plate, at 3 weeks post conception, resulting in disability
Which supplement should mothers take to avoid neural tube defects in child?
folic acid
List two types of neural tube defect
anencephaly
encephalocele
microcephaly
spina bifida
Which neural tube defect is fatal?
anencephaly= scalp, skull, and cerebral hemispheres do not develop
Two symptoms of microcephaly?
shallow sloping head
developmental delay
seizures
short stature
Two causes of microcephaly?
genetic
maternal substance abuse
perinatal hypoxia
TORCH infections
What are TORCH infections?
(T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella (also known as German Measles), (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex
What is the cause of cleft lip and palate?
failure of fusion of maxillary processes
What is the incidence of cleft lip?
1/1000
At what period is the cleft lip repaired?
3 months
At what age is the palate repaired?
6-12 months
Why is it important to repair cleft lip and palate?
speech problems
psychological issues
aspiration pneumonia risk
Is a preauricular pit concerning?
weak association with renal abnormalities
Is a preauricular tag worrying?
not at all, perhaps cosmetically
How is tracheo-oesophageal fistula diagnosed?
bronchoscopy and contrast studies of oesophagus
What is the presentation of tracheo-oesophageal fistula?
coughing, choking during feeding, abdominal distension, recurrent chest infections
Which condition is associated with duodenal atresia
down’s syndrome (1/3)
Which is a sign of duodenal atresia on AXR?
double-bubble
What is the most common presentation of duodenal atresia?
bilious vomiting shortly after birth
What is the prognosis of biliary atresia?
excellent with surgical management
What is exomphalos?
hernia to the base of the umbilical cord covered by a sac
Name one associated condition with exomphalos
trisomy 13, 18, and cardiac defects
Can exomphalos be surgically repaired in one go?
may need to be done in stages, as the abdomen is often too small
to hold the bowel
What is gastroschisis?
Defect in abdomen to the right of the umbilicus with protrusion of abdominal
contents not covered by a sac. The bowel is often in poor condition and may need to
be resected as part of the surgical repair. In contrast to exomphalos which has sac covering bowel.
What is hypospadias?
urethral opening on underside of penis
Is circumcision advised in hypospadias?
no as foreskin is used in the repair
When is surgery for hypospadias performed?
12-18 months
On which side does diaphragmatic hernia most commonly present?
90% on left side
Two presentations of diaphragmatic hernia?
dextrocardia, respiratory distress at birth, scaphoid abdomen?
What is achondroplasia?
bone growth disorder that is the most common type of dwarfism