Study Flashcards
IUFD Intrauterine fetal demise
Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) is the medical term for a child who dies in utero after the 20th week of pregnancy in the second trimester. Although there is no agreed-upon time, most doctors deem the death to be an IUFD if it occurred after 20 weeks of gestation.
Organism that causes elephantiasis
Vector
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos.
Elephantiasis is caused by parasitic worms that are spread by mosquitoes. There are three types of worms involved: Wuchereria bancrofti.
Jaundice
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition in which the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes) and mucous membranes turn yellow. This yellow color is caused by a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment. Bile is fluid secreted by the liver. Bilirubin is formed from the breakdown of red blood cells.
What causes jaundice?
Jaundice can be caused by a problem in any of the three phases in bilirubin production.
Before the production of bilirubin, you may have what’s called unconjugated jaundice due to increased levels of bilirubin caused by:
Reabsorption of a large hematoma (a collection of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin).
Hemolytic anemias (blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over).
During production of bilirubin, jaundice can be caused by:
Viruses, including Hepatitis A, chronic Hepatitis B and C, and Epstein-Barr virus infection (infectious mononucleosis).
Alcohol.
Autoimmune disorders.
Rare genetic metabolic defects.
Medicines, including acetaminophen toxicity, penicillins, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine (Thorazine®) and estrogenic or anabolic steroids.
After bilirubin is produced, jaundice may be caused by obstruction (blockage) of the bile ducts from:
Gallstones.
Inflammation (swelling) of the gallbladder.
Gallbladder cancer.
Pancreatic tumor.
What are the symptoms of jaundice?
Sometimes, the person may not have symptoms of jaundice, and the condition may be found accidentally. The severity of symptoms depends on the underlying causes and how quickly or slowly the disease develops.
If you have a short-term case of jaundice (usually caused by infection), you may have the following symptoms and signs:
Fever.
Chills.
Abdominal pain.
Flu-like symptoms.
Change in skin color.
Dark-colored urine and/or clay-colored stool.
If jaundice isn’t caused by an infection, you may have symptoms such as weight loss or itchy skin (pruritus). If the jaundice is caused by pancreatic or biliary tract cancers, the most common symptom is abdominal pain. Sometimes, you may have jaundice occurring with liver disease if you have:
Chronic hepatitis or inflammation of the liver.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (a type of skin disease).
Acute hepatitis A, B or C.
Polyarthralgias (inflammation of the joints).
How is jaundice diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose jaundice by checking for signs of liver disease such as:
Bruising of the skin.
Spider angiomas (abnormal collection of blood vessels near the surface of the skin).
Palmar erythema (red coloration of the palms and fingertips).
Urinalysis (urine testing) that’s positive for bilirubin shows that the patient has conjugated jaundice. The findings of urinalysis should be confirmed by serum testing. The serum testing will include a complete blood count (CBC) and bilirubin levels.
Your doctor will also do an exam to determine the size and tenderness of your liver. He or she may use imaging (ultrasonography and computer tomographic (CT) scanning) and liver biopsy (taking a sample of the liver) to further confirm diagnosis.
How is jaundice treated?
Jaundice usually doesn’t require treatment in adults (it’s a more severe problem in infants). The causes and complications of jaundice can be treated. For instance, if itching is bothersome, it may be eased by cholestyramine (Questran®).
What are some of the complications/side effects of the treatments of jaundice?
Constipation. Bloating. Stomach pain. Gas. Upset stomach. Vomiting. Diarrhea.
Can jaundice be prevented?
Since there are many causes of jaundice, it’s hard to provide specific prevention measures. Some general tips include:
Avoid hepatitis infection.
Stay within recommended alcohol limits.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Manage your cholesterol.
What is the risk you’ll develop jaundice?
During the production of bilirubin, middle-aged women and men, in general, are more affected. People who have hepatitis and drink excessive alcohol are also at increased risk.
Pallor
Pallor comes from the Latin word “palleo,” which means to look pale or fade. Pallor is a condition in which a person’s skin and mucous membranes turn lighter than they usually are.
Severe pallor is considered when both, anterior and posterior rims of the palpebral conjunctiva have the same very pale fleshy color. Looking for pallor in the tongue: Ask the patient to protrude the tongue and observe the dorsal surface. The tongue and the oral mucosa look visibly pale or severe pale
