Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Hemolytic disease of the newborn, also called eritroblastosis neonatorum, a condition in which red blood cells destroy the antibodies from the mother's blood, which are passed through the placenta (placenta).Hemolytic disease starts in fetuses in whom the disease is called eritroblastosis fetalis.

In many cases, severe hemolytic disease occurs when the fetus is Rh positive and the mother Rh negative blood. Fetal blood is positive, because it is inherited from the father, and inherited dominantly. Creating maternal antibody response to mismatched (intolerable) blood. These antibodies cross the placenta into the fetal bloodstream where coat and destroy the red blood cells of the fetus. Sometimes it other types of blood intolerance. This is the case when a mother has blood group 0, a fetus A or B. Among the rare intolerance are Kell and Duffy blood group. Severe anemia (anemia) resulting in hemolytic disease of the newborn is treated like other anemia. Doctor monitored and the possible occurrence of jaundice, which is common because the hemoglobin from destroyed red blood cells into a bright yellow pigment called bilirubin. If the bilirubin in the body created faster than it can be excreted by the liver baby's skin turns yellow (jaundice or jaundice). Jaundice is easily treated by exposure to blue light, child, rarely, in the most severe cases can lead to brain damage

Hepatitis in babies

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, almost always with hepatitis B. In the United States it is usually the mother source of infection of the newborn. Usually the child is infected during birth, not during pregnancy because the virus hardly crosses the placenta. After the birth, the less the likelihood of infection from the mother.

Symptoms and diagnosis in the majority of infants infected with hepatitis B develop chronic inflammation of the liver (chronic hepatitis) in which there is usually no symptoms until young adulthood. However, the disease is dangerous, a quarter of infected will probably die due to liver disease. Sometimes a child may increase the liver, an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites), and elevated bilirubin in the blood causing jaundice. Prognosis and treatment of long-term prognosis is unknown. Infection with hepatitis B virus from newborns later increases the likelihood of liver disease, such as active hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Pregnant women are regularly tested for the presence of hepatitis B. As a child infected mothers not normally infected by childbirth, giving him injections of hepatitis B immunoglobulin 24 hours after birth when the infection has not yet been confirmed. This process protects the child temporarily, and at the same time vaccination against hepatitis B, which provides long-term protection.seems to be feeding the child on the chest is not significantly higher risk of contracting hepatitis B, especially if the child has received the vaccine and immunoglobulins. However, if there is damage to the nipples or other breast disease, there is a likelihood of transmission of the virus to the baby. Newborn with chronic hepatitis with no symptoms of the disease is not treated. Infants with symptoms of hepatitis are provided supportive measures.

Herpes simplex in a newborn

Herpes simplex in newborn always mean a serious viral infection that affects important organs (brain, liver, lungs) and often leaves permanent damage or fatal.

Herpes simplex virus infection of the 2500 - 5000 newborns in the United States. A child can become infected before or after birth. Mothers and babies are usually not aware that they carry the virus and have no symptoms at the time of delivery. Symptoms and Diagnosis The first symptoms usually occur between the first and second week, although they may miss up to four weeks after birth. The disease may start a rash, small fluid-filled blisters, however, 45% of infected newborns no skin rash. If they are treated within 7-10 days performing severe symptoms. There is a variable body temperature, lethargy and convulsions of the involvement of the brain, muscle laxity, difficulty breathing, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and blood clots in the blood vessels throughout the body. fluid-filled blisters are easily identified as a sign of herpes infection, while other symptoms are not so specific. Infection is usually proved by virus isolation from the content of bubbles, and the process takes 24-48 hours. Herpes simplex virus can also be detected in a sample of urine, secretions conjunctiva of the eye and nostril, in a sample of blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Prognosis and treatment if they are not treated, died about 85% of newborns with the disease extended to multiple organs. When confined to the skin, eyes and mouth, mortality is rare, but about 30% of these infants have some brain damage or nerve that can remain unnoticed until 2 or 3-ge-going age.treatment antiviral drug such as acyclovir reduces mortality by about 50% and significantly increases the number of children with herpes who will develop normally. Eye infections are usually treated with drops or ointment or grease trifluridina idoxuridin.

Jaundice in newborns

The term hyperbilirubinemia indicates abnormally high bilirubin levels. Old, damaged or abnormal red blood cells are removed from the circulation, mainly in the spleen. In this process of hemoglobin (the protein of red blood cells that carries oxygen) into a yellow pigment called bilirubin. Bilirubin circulation leads to the liver where it is chemically changed (conjugate) and so is excreted into the intestine as part of bile.

In most infants coming to the transient increase in bilirubin levels in the first few days of life, which makes the skin yellow (jaundice). In adults, the breakdown of bilirubin in the intestine performed bacteria normally found there. In newborns lack the bacteria and excreted in the faeces much bilirubin why she Light Yellow. Moreover, the newborn intestine is an enzyme that changes the bilirubin in this way to facilitate the re-absorption (reabsorption) in the blood and contributes to the development of jaundice.Increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood, jaundice becomes apparent, first on the face, then on his chest and then to his feet. Hyperbilirubinemia and visible jaundice usually disappear after the first week of life.Very high bilirubin levels are the result of increased production, scarce drainage or both. Sometimes, in healthy term infants in the natural diet (chest) during the first week, there's a growing appreciation of bilirubin in the blood, a condition known as jaundice lactation. The exact cause of this condition is not completely known. Lactation jaundice is usually harmless. If they become extremely high bilirubin can be applied to blue light. Hiperbihrubinemija usually of no consequence, but in some rare cases, very high values ​​of bilirubin can cause brain damage. The condition is known as kernikterus, and is most common in very immature and ill premature infants. treatment of hyperbilirubinemia mild hyperbilirubinemia should not be treated. Frequent feeding in newborn accelerates intestinal transit by reducing the reabsorption of bilirubin from the intestine and thus its level in the blood. At higher values ​​implemented phototherapy, in whom this procedure exposes the newborn blue light. Illumination child's skin occur due to chemical changes in molecules of bilirubin in the subcutaneous tissue. That changed bilirubin is excreted more easily without having to conjugate in the liver. If the bilirubin level is dangerously high blood newborn replaced by fresh (eksangvinotransfuzija which removes bilirubin). When jaundice lactation diet on breast rarely break at 1-2 days and only at extremely high bilirubin. Mother of the time regularly issues, so that the child can be put back on the chest, as bilirubin begin to fall. Returning to his chest poses no risk to the baby.

Learning problems in children

Learning disabilities are disorders acquisition, retention or use of the skills and information due to lack of attention, memory and judgment that undermines the success of education.

There are different types of learning difficulties, with different causes. It is believed that the basis of all disorders determined abnormality of brain function. It is estimated that 3% - 15% of children in the U.S. have learning difficulties and need to apply some form of special education. Boys 5 times more likely to have these problems than girls. Symptoms little child with learning disabilities often have difficulty with coordination of vision movements and awkward in physical activities such as cutting, coloring, buttoning, tying shoes and running. child may have a perception problem with vision or hearing, for example, identifying a particular pattern or distinguishing sounds or problems with memory, speech, thinking and listening. Some children have difficulty reading, some writing or numeracy. Most of the learning disorder is complex, with a reduced ability to higher levels. child can slowly remember the names of colors or letters, the names of familiar objects, may be poorly in learning counting, and have little ability to learn. Mastering reading and writing is slow. Other symptoms include short attention discontinuous speech and short-term memory. The child may have difficulty in drawing and tracing, activities that require fine motor coordination. Children with learning disabilities may have communication problems and impulse control, and difficulty in discipline. They easily distracted, can be hyperactive, withdrawn, shy or aggressive. Diagnosis and Treatment Doctor primarily examines a child in fact possible organic disorder. 

The child then solves a series of intelligence tests, including reading, writing and arithmetic. Psychological testing is the final step in the evaluation and diagnosis. treatment in applying some extent unproven effectiveness, eg elimination of additives in food, taking large doses of vitamins and level measurement of trace elements in children's serum. Neither drug showed no improvement in the level of education attained, the general level of intelligence and learning ability. However, some drugs, such as methylphenidate improve the level of attention and concentration, which improves learning ability. Most effective measure is to educate children adapted to their needs and requirements. 

Eye infections in children

Severe bacterial infections of the eye causing swelling and redness of the eyelid, the skin around the eyes (periorbital cellulitis) and areas within the eye socket (orbital cellulitis). The area around the eyes can be infected through wounds, insect bites, or sinus infections (sinusitis). Infection can also reach the eye from other parts of the body's blood supply. Simple eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, or are caused by bacteria or viruses. Reddened eyes can also be a sign of allergies. Simple eye infections and allergic problems are far more common than severe infections type of orbital and periorbital cellulitis.

Symptoms The first symptom of severe eye infections are usually swollen, red eyelids. In more than 90% of children who have an eye infection affected only one eye. Most children have a fever, about 20% have a runny nose and about 20% had conjunctivitis. When it comes to orbital cellulitis, around the bulging which paralyzes the muscles of the eye and the eye can not move. Eye pain and vision is damaged. Especially with periorbital cellulitis, but with orbital cellulitis, eyelid can be so bloated that the ophthalmologist should open about a special instrument. Orbital cellulitis can lead to the formation of a clot in an artery or vein that supply the retina. This blockage of blood flow damages the retina and can cause blindness. Sometimes the infection spreads from the eye socket to the brain, causing an abscess, or the lining of the brain, causing bacterial meningitis. Clots can clog veins that drain blood from the brain, causing headaches, loss of consciousness and even death. Periorbital cellulitis may be associated with infection, blood flow, but generally does not spread to the eye socket (orbit) and the brain. Diagnosis and Treatment Doctor examines an eye on the signs of the infection and whether there has been around a swivel, is bulging and whether the vision deteriorated. The blood sample can help identify the causative bacteria. CT helps to locate the infection and determine how far it has spread. Children with severe eye infections are hospitalized immediately and treated with intravenous antibiotics. Periorbital celuhtis be treated with antibiotics for 10-14 days (first intravenously and later possibly the mouth). Orbital cellulitis requiring surgical drainage, as well as 2-3 weeks of IV antibiotics (usually intravenously). Some cases are mild periorbital cellulitis can favorably respond to antibiotics taken by mouth. milder but more common eye infections (conjunctivitis) can be treated with any antibiotic drops or ointments or antibiotics by mouth in 7-10 days, assuming a cause of bacteria, not viruses .

Sepsis in a newborn

Neonatal sepsis (sepsis neonatorum) is a severe bacterial infection that affects the entire body, and also occurs in the first month of life. Sepsis occurs in less than 1% of newborns, but that causes account for 30% of deaths in the first few weeks of life. Bacterial infection is five times more common in infants with birth weight less than 2,500 grams, compared to infants of normal weight. Sepsis is twice more common in men than in female newborns. Risk of sepsis increased complications during childbirth, such as premature rupture of membranes, bleeding or infection in the mother.

Symptoms of Sepsis starts within the first 6 hours after birth in more than half, and within 72 hours in most infants. Sepsis occurring 4 or more days of birth was probably acquired the neonatal ward (nosocomial infections). newborn with sepsis usually limp, lazy sucking has slowed heartbeat and variable body temperature (low or high). Other symptoms can include breathing disorder, convulsions, shivering, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach tensed. Symptoms depend on the primary seat and extent of infection, eg infection pupčanog stump (omfahtis) navel may bleed or there is pus discharge. Infection of the meninges (meningitis) or an abscess in the brain can be revealed coma, convulsions, twisting back into a solid arch or tension and protrusion fontanelle (two point cushion between the bones of the head, the greater the front, lower back). For bone infections (osteomyelitis) newborn in motion saving the exposed arm or leg. Infection of the joint (arthritis) causes swelling, warmth, redness and tenderness of the joint.Infection of the peritoneum (peritonitis) leads to tension abdomen or bloody diarrhea. Diagnosis pathogen infection proves to cultivate blood samples and swabs or secretions infection affected the body works.Detection of antibodies can indicate the type of microorganism. Microscopic and culture is processed and a urine sample. When suspected meningitis doctor performed a spinal tap. You can search and ear swab samples and stomach contents. Prognosis and treatment of neonatal sepsis treated with intravenous antibiotics. Treatment begins before the famous lab test results, and according to them, when they are finished, antibiotic therapy can be changed. In some rare cases, the newborn is given purified antibodies or white blood cells. Despite modern antibiotics and intensive care, 25% or more infants with sepsis die. The mortality rate is twice as high in small, premature, but in term neonates with normal body weight.

Measles

Rubella ( russet) is a contagious viral infection that produces mild symptoms such as joint pain or rash. Rubella is usually spread by inhaling tiny droplets containing the virus and cough up by an infected person. Infection can also be spread by close contact with an infected person. A person is contagious from one week before the rash appears until one week after the disappearance of the rash. Newborns infected in utero may remain contagious for months afterwards.

Rubella is less contagious than measles, and many children are never infected. However, measles is a serious illness, particularly in pregnant women. Women infected during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy (especially in the first 8-10 weeks) may abort or give birth to a stillborn baby with a congenital malformation. Approximately 10% - 15% of young adult women have never recovered from rubella and if they become infected during early pregnancy are at risk of having a baby with serious congenital defects.Epidemics occur at irregular intervals during the spring. Larger outbreaks occur every 6-9 years. In the U.S., the number of cases of rubella and children infected with rubella before birth began to rise 1988thyear and peaked 1991st Now the number of cases is lower than ever. Got over measles leaves lifelong immunity. Symptoms and Diagnosis Symptoms commit about 14-21 days after infection. In children, the disease begins a slight opening illness of 1-5 days, with swollen lymph nodes in the neck and head, and on occasion articular pain. My throat does not hurt, but blushed at the beginning of the disease. Early symptoms may be very mild or absent in adolescents and adults. Pick up a mild rash that lasts about three days. The rash starts on the face and neck and quickly spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. How does the rash, mild redness affects the skin, especially on the face. Red freckles appear on the palate, melting in red blotches covering the back of the oral cavity. Diagnosis is based on typical symptoms. However, many cases of rubella misdiagnose or are so mild they go unnoticed. The final diagnosis is necessary in pregnant women, set to determine the level of antibodies to rubella virus in the blood. Prognosis and complicationsMost children fully recover from rubella. Male adolescents or adults may feel a temporary pain in the testicles. Up to one third of women get arthritis or articular pain with rubella. Rarely develop otitis media. Infection of the brain (encephalitis) is a rare but sometimes fatal complications. Rubella in pregnant women can be very serious because of possible congenital deformities fetus, stillbirth or abortion. Prevention and Treatment of Rubella Vaccine falls into routine immunization in childhood. The vaccine is usually injected into the muscle in combination with vaccines against mumps and measles. symptoms of rubella are rarely so severe that treatment is necessary. Inflammation of the middle ear can be treated with antibiotics, but any treatment can be cured encephalitis.