Naturally Healthy Lifestyles

Heart, Nerve and Blood Irregularities

 

 

Congenital Heart Defects

 

What is it?

Any heart abnormality, whether major or minor present at birth, falls into this category.

Causes:

With the majority of cases, there is little to suggest the causes, however it is believed that certain infections present in the mother while pregnant, such as German measles, some chemicals and drug and alcohol abuse may all contribute towards heart defects in her unborn child.

Susceptibility

Those children born of mothers who contracted German measles while pregnant, and children who suffer with a chromosomal disorder, such as Down's syndrome.

Related Symptoms:

Because of a weakened heart, the child will most likely have difficulty in breathing and sucking, which will result in poor weight gain.

Treatment:

Ultrasound scanning is usually effective in noting such abnormalities before the birth, where appropriate drugs will be prescribed. Surgery following the birth, will usually remedy the problem.

Outlook:

With the correct treatment, many sufferers do go on to lead a normal life, however this depends entirely on the severity of the problem.

Hole in the Heart

 

This is present when there is a hole between the atria or ventricles through which blood flows. Holes between the top and bottom chambers of the heart (Atrial holes), are more common in girls than in boys. Openings between the right and left side of the heart (Ventricular holes), are the most common of the two, accounting for nearly 50% of all heart abnormalities.
The exact cause of this defect is unknown, and is usually only detected once the child is around a month old.

 

Related Symptoms:

In very mild cases, the child will not show any obvious symptoms, with the problem normally only being detected upon examinations for other reasons. Severe forms, where the hole is larger, is usually accompanied by swelling of the hands and feet, slow feeding resulting in poor weight gain and difficulty in breathing.

Treatment:

A chest X-ray and/or possibly an ECG (electrocardiograph) will be performed in order to establish the severity of the problem. If a major problem exists, further more thorough tests will be carried out, and the hole will need to be surgically closed. Milder symptoms will be treated with drugs, which will strengthen the heartbeat and lessen the strain placed on the heart. Small ventricular holes do tend to close on their own, so treatment in this case is not always necessary.

Valve Abnormalities

 

There are two types of valve abnormalities namely: stenotic (narrowed valves) and incompetent (leaking valves). In milder cases the heart will function normally, although a murmur will be present. More severe forms, will mean that the heart has to work harder to sustain blood circulation. This extra work-load will cause the heart to become enlarged, eventually resulting in heart failure.

 

Related Symptoms:
Heart murmurs and high blood-pressure are common symptoms.

Treatment:

Leaking valves can be corrected through surgery, where the valve will either be repaired or replaced with an artificial one. Severe narrowed valves will be 'stretched' via a surgical procedure. Drug treatment used in milder cases, can usually improve the problem.

Patent Ductus

 

Before birth, a special blood vessel (ductus arteriosis) is present in the baby. The function of this blood vessel is to bypass the lungs, as these are not needed until your baby begins breathing on her own. Within a couple of hours after the birth, increased oxygen in the blood will signal shut-down, and blood will then pass from the heart through the lungs. If however, the ductus fails to close, blood will flow through it into the pulmonary artery, with too much blood flowing through the lungs.

 

Related Symptoms:
The increased amount of blood flowing through the lungs will cause congestion and will be heard as a murmur, which in mild cases will be very soft and the child will usually be perfectly fine. In extreme cases, the child will have difficulty in breathing, her liver will be enlarged and her heart rate will be rapid. Chest infections are also common.

Treatment:

With early diagnosis and drug treatment, surgery will usually not be necessary. However, if the problem is only noticed at a later stage a minor operation will be needed to close the ductus. The child will recover completely in minimal time.

Fallot's Tetrology

 

This is a combination of heart defects, namely: a misplaced aorta, a ventricular hole in the heart, a narrowing of the pulmonary valve and a thickening of the right ventricle. These abnormalities cause the blood to be passed from the right side to the left side of the heart, and without passing through the lungs, it passes straight into the general circulation of the body.

 

Related Symptoms:
Often referred to as 'blue-babies' because of the bluish tinge to their skin. Difficulty in breathing, underdevelopment and clubbing of the fingers and toes are all common symptoms in babies with this disorder.

Treatment:

In the initial stages, drugs will be prescribed to offer some relief. When the child is a few years old, surgery will be needed to correct all the abnormalities.

Sickle Cell Disease

 

What is it?

A form of anaemia in which red blood cells are abnormally shaped, thus resulting in hampered efficiency when transporting oxygen to the body cells.

 

Causes:

Infection, stress, dehydration and hyperventilation can all trigger a periodic attack.

Susceptibility:
People of African, Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean heritage are most likely to be affected. If both parents are carriers of the disease, the risk is 1 in 4, and 4 in 4 if both parents are sufferers. Up to 2000 out of every 100 000 births to people who are at risk.

 

Related Symptoms
Fatigue, painful swelling of the joints and shortness of breath are common in the initial stages, however these will only present themselves after the age of six months. Growth will be affected, with the spine taking on a curved shape. Puberty will be delayed, and the sufferer will be susceptible to other infections.

Treatment:

Pain relievers, oxygen fluids and antibiotics to control infection.

Outlook:

Premature death is common, as many do not reach adulthood.

Tay Sach's Disease

 

What is it?

A congenital deficiency of an enzyme needed for effective breaking-down of fatty deposits in the brain and nerve cells.

Causes:

Both parents must pass on recessive genes for a child to be affected.

Susceptibility:
People of Central and Eastern European heritage are the most likely carriers of this disease. Approximately 1 in 3,600 Eastern European babies are affected.

Related Symptoms:
Once the fatty deposits begin to clog the cells, the child takes on a form of regression by losing her ability to grasp, crawl and smile. Gradually the eyesight will diminish and the child will become paralyzed and unaware of her surroundings.
 

Treatment:

There is no known treatment as yet, although scientists are working on ideas to replace the missing enzyme. Those who are at risk should opt for effective antenatal screening, which could offer the option of terminating the pregnancy.

Outlook:

Unfortunately, this disease is invariably fatal, and most sufferers will die before their fifth birthday.

Rhesus Disease

 

What is it?

A condition in which the child inherits a blood-type from the father, that is not compatible with the mother's.

 

Causes:

Antibodies from the mother's blood attack the baby's blood cells.

Susceptibility
Those babies, receiving Rh-positive blood from the father, when the mother's blood is Rh-negative.

Related Symptoms:
Brain damage, or death, during gestation or following birth.

Treatment:

Effective monitoring is essential for pregnant women who are Rh-negative. An injection of a vaccine called Rh immune globulin, given to the mother within 72 hours of the birth, miscarriage or abortion and is the best preventative measure, against future babies suffering with the condition. Due to severe anaemia, a blood transfusion of the baby may be necessary.

Outlook:

Usually good with treatment.

Thalassaemia
 

What is it?

A disease of the blood, also commonly known as Mediterranean anaemia, where there is a defect in the process required, for the formation of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

 

Causes:

Both parents have to pass on a recessive gene, for the child to be affected.

Susceptibility
More common in those of a Mediterranean heritage.

Related Symptoms:
Those with a less severe form can lead normal lives, although stress may aggravate the condition, and the person will suffer with general weakness and nausea. Without treatment, severe cases can be fatal, with common symptoms such as, enlargement of certain internal organs, brittle bones and heart failure.

Treatment:

Blood transfusions and occasionally bone marrow transplants will be necessary for those suffering from a severe case.

Outlook:

The prognosis is good for those with the less severe form, although there may be a delay in puberty. Children with a severe form, will always face the risk of infection and premature heart failure.