Encephaloceles
Encephaloceles are rare disorders that are caused by a neural tube defect in which the bones of the skull fail to close completely. This failure to close allows cerebral spinal fluid, brain tissue, and the meninges to push through the gap and create a sac-like formation protruding from the skull. Encephaloceles differ from meningoceles in that meningoceles contain only the meninges and cerebral spinal fluid, whereas encephaloceles involve brain tissue being pushed through the sac as well. Encephaloceles will often co-occur with other cranial and/or facial abnormalities and may be associated with a syndrome. This result of a neural tube defect most commonly occurs at the midline of the upper part of the skull, at the area
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The neural tube is the tissue of an embryo that becomes the brain, spinal cord, and the bones that surround them. It is usually an obvious malformation, but at times it can go undetected depending on the size and location of it. They can be diagnosed by doctors in routine ultrasounds and recent research suggests that fetal MRIs may give a more detailed picture of the CNS. A Fetal MRIs usefulness will depend on the mother’s body, the surrounding fluid, the position of the fetus, and how still the fetus is at the time. 1-4 of every 10,000 live births have an encephalocele in the United States, and this anomaly is more common in females than in males. Encephaloceles increase the likelihood of death in utero and only approximately half of the children with encephaloceles survive birth. Unfortunately, the cause is not yet known, however it is believed that it is not due to anything the mother did or did not do during pregnancy. Many researchers believe that multiple genetic and environmental factors cause the development of an encephalocele. Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to neural tube defects, as encephalocelese have been noted to be more common when there is a family history of these defects. While researchers speculate that certain infections and toxins may be involved in the cause of encephaloceles, there have not been any …show more content…
The surgery will usually take place once the baby has had a chance to adjust to its new environment, and can take place anywhere from within a few days to a few months after birth. The timing of the surgery is dependent upon the size and location of the encephalocele, the associated anomalies, and whether the deficit is skin—covered. The surgery will be performed sooner if there is: no skin covering over the defect, bleeding, airway obstruction, and/or vision impairment. The operation performed is called a ‘craniotomy’ and it involves the neurosurgeon cutting and removing a piece of bone from the child’s skull and then cutting through the membrane that protects the brain. This is necessary because the neurosurgeon has to replace the brain tissue, membranes, and/or fluids that have protruded from the gap in the skull, and remove the sac that was surrounding it. The neurosurgeon will finish the surgery by closing the dura mater and closing the skull with the same piece of bone that they had initially removed. Sometimes it may be necessary for a neurosurgeon to use an artificial plate to repair the skull if there is still a large
The clip that was particularly memorable was the story of both Katie Worrick and Michael Rehbein’s hemispherectomy. From a neurological perspective, it was astounding to watch both these children survive and function without a part of their brain and if that wasn’t enough they were functioning remarkably well from a cognitive point of reference. I did wonder at first why Katie was still not speaking, but realized that her surgery was still recent when the documentary was made. Just like Michael, who took about 2 years after surgery to regain some of his speech after persistently working on it, Katie too could hope for the same. Having said that, I am also aware of Neuroscientist Dana Boatman’s conclusion that results and recovery times vary from child to child. I did try to find out more about the two children featured in this documentary to see how much life had improved, but could not find any documented information except for an answer to a blog about hemispherectomy by Katie’s mom that said, “My name is Janie Warrick and I live in Richmond, VA. My daughter, Katie who is now 17, had a left hemispherectomy Aug. 8, 2000 in Baltimore, Maryland at Johns Hopkins
The first patient I saw was a 14 month old boy who sustained a non-accidental head injury. He underwent surgery in July that relieved the excess pressure and fluid around his brain, resulting in him becoming a left hemiplegic.
Second type of SB is Meningocele. It is a rare form, which protective membranes around the meninges push out through the opening in the vertebrae. Because the spinal cord develops normally, these membranes can be removed by surgery with little or no damage to the nerve
During fetal growth, the neural tube can develop any number of abnormalities. These “malformations occur because the tube fails to close properly, because parts of it are missing, or because part of the tube is blocked” (neural tube defect, 2014). Ramírez-Altamirano et al. (2012) have stated that “the most common types of neural tube defect are anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele, all of which represent 95% of the cases.” Anencephaly is the most severe form of neural tube defect. In this condition the cephalic portion of the neural tube fails to close properly, resulting in very little cerebral tissue forming. Infants born with this defect are usually stillborn or live for a very short amount of time. Spina bifida consists of “a group of malformations of the spine in which the posterior portion of the bony canal containing the spinal cord is completely or partially absent” (Frazier & Drzymkowski, 2013, p. 63). This condition typically affects the lumbar portion of the neural tube, a...
Neural tube defects occur in every 2,000 births. Two common forms of neural tube defects are spina bifida, in which the spinal cord isn't completely enclosed, and anencephaly where part of the brain is absent Spina bifida may be mild or severe. Treatment include excersise and physhichal therapy or corrective surgery.
Random mutations- genes that control brain development .Maternal infections that affect the developing fetus. Fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to the developing brain Lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) related to diffic...
First let’s discuss what anencephaly is. Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. This birth defect happens during the first month of pregnancy and usually before a woman knows she is pregnant. Anencephaly happens if the upper part of the neural tube does
In conclusion, venepuncture for babies in the radiology department requires the nurse to be equipped with due knowledge, skills and training. It is also essential to highlight and address other factors surrounding the procedure as the ones mentioned in this discussion. At the end of the day, a multi-disciplinary team always co-exist for every patient’s need and it is inherent for each to perform the duties associated in a competent manner. It is also just to conclude no person is indispensable and nurses therefore must take on new courses and training to assume new duties.
When a mother finds out she is pregnant it is a wonderful experience. Most people are excited to see their first “picture” of their baby, the ultrasound. Even more exciting is getting an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. But ultrasounds are useful for more than just getting that first image of the fetus or finding out whether it is a boy or a girl. While it is something most parents dread finding out when pregnant, an ultrasound can also detect a birth defect. There are many different birth defects that can be detected by an ultrasound during pregnancy like Spina Bifida, Down syndrome, and abnormalities with the heart and lower urinary tract, and the importance of detecting them with an ultrasound is shown in the benefits of discovering the birth defect early, and the options it gives the parents after discovering the birth defect.
An individual who is born with microcephaly has a small, elongated cranium. Microcephaly is a neurological disorder and
19. Benn PA, Borgida A, Horne D, Briganti S, Collins R, Rodis J. Down syndrome and neural tube defect screening: the value of using gestational age by ultrasonography. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997;176:1056–61.
One in every thirty-three babies is born with a handicap (“Data & Statistics”). The test for birth defects can be done during pregnancy or after the infant is born (“Data and Statistics”). In 2004-2005, the CDC counted 21 diseases as major birth defects (“Data and Statistics”). The list includes: “Central nervous system defects, Eye defects, Cardiovascular defects, Orofacial defects, Gastrointestinal defects, Musculoskeletal defects, and Chromosomal anomalies” (“Data and Statistics”). 20% of infant deaths are caused by birth defects making it the leading cause of all infant deaths (“Data & Statistics”). These defects can happen as a result of a failed abortion or during a pregnancy after an
Every woman when pregnant has a 3-5% chance of having a baby born with a birth defect, and these chances increase when the developing fetus/ embryos are exposed to teratogens, whether it’s intentional or unintentional (Bethesda (MD), 2006). Teratogens can cause severe birth defects, malformations, or terminate the pregnancy altogether (Jancárková, & Gregor, 2000). The placenta is known as an effective barrier from any detrimental pathogen that can potentially hurt the fetus. The timing of exposure of any teratogen is critical to the impact of prenatal development (Bethesda (MD), 2006). The most vulnerable time of the fetus for severe damage is during early pregnancy when all the major organ and central nervous system (CNS) are developing. Miscarriages have an important role in keeping a pregnancy from evolving when there is something serious going on with the developing fetus/embryo. Miscarriages are more common than we think and are the most familiar type of pregnancy loss (Bethesda (MD), 2006).
I think it is incredible that we have made such advancements in fetal medicine that surgeons are actually able to perform surgery on a fetus while in utero. Deformities like a cleft lip or pallet are about to be fixed in the womb before the child is even born. The video specifically shows a fetus at 26 weeks who has a hole in his diaphragm. This would cause a problem for him after birth if left unfixed because his intestines would grow into his lung cavity preventing him from being able to breath air outside of the womb. Fortunately with medical advancements, doctors were able to perform a procedure on the fetus where a balloon was placed between his diaphragm and lungs to prevent any obstruction from developing. As soon as the child is born the balloon will be removed and he will likely be able to go on without any difficulty breathing. Having access to this particular fetal procedure has increased survival of newborns with this condition by fifty percent. This is just one of many advancements in fetal medicine. We have also come a long way with premature babies, and micro preemies. Babies born at as early as 24 weeks have a more than fifty percent chance of survival. That is why 24 weeks of pregnancy is often times referred to the viability
There are many types of birth defects anomalies such as lip/cleft palate, birth marks, and Congenital Atresia. Common birth defects is lip/cleft palate which about one of 750 babies in US will have this defects. The treatment for this defects will begin after birth or after discharge from hospital. Bilateral cleft is the most complex to repair because they need more medical and surgical specialist to perform the surgery. If there is a larger defect, they need to perform the pharyngeal flap, dental work, and bone grafting. Birth marks also can be removed by plastic surgery which is depends on types of birth mark. Hemangiomas is a type