All Search Results
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Biliary Atresia
Biliary atresia is a liver-related condition in infants. It causes the bile ducts (tubes located inside and outside the liver) to become blocked. These tubes carry bile (a fluid that helps digestion) into the intestine. When these ducts become blocked, bile builds up in the liver and causes damage. Over time, biliary atresia can lead to decreased liver function and cirrhosis (severe liver scarring).
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Esophageal Atresia
Esophageal atresia (EA) is a birth defect in which the baby’s esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach) does not form properly before birth. For babies with EA, the esophagus has two separate parts – an upper and lower part – that do not connect. This makes it impossible for the baby to get enough nutrition by mouth because they cannot pass food from the mouth to the stomach.
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Chest Wall Disorders
A chest wall disorder is when a child is born with an unusually shaped breastbone. The two most common chest wall disorders are:
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Perianal Abscess or Fistula
A perianal abscess – or anal abscess – is an anorectal disorder where an infected area located near the anus or rectum is filled with pus. Sometimes, a perianal fistula – or anal fistula – can result from an abscess. A fistula, or fistula-in-ano, is a small tract that runs from the anal canal to the skin surrounding the anus and can contribute to abscess formation.
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Intestinal Atresia or Intestinal Web
Intestinal atresia is a birth defect that results in a narrow, blocked or closed segment of intestine that may be separated from or still connected to the rest of the intestine. During normal development, nutrients flow through the digestive tract and are absorbed. Intestinal atresia prevents your baby from digesting food because the intestines lose their ability to absorb nutrients and push food through the digestive tract. In most cases, intestinal atresia involves the small intestine. However, it can affect any area of the digestive tract.
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Abdominal Masses
An abdominal mass is an unusual growth in your child’s abdomen. The growth might be in the stomach, intestines, solid organs or another area of the belly. While many abdominal masses are non-cancerous (benign), some may be cancerous.
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Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis is a rare birth defect that occurs early in development, where the intestinal contents remain outside of the fetus’ body, leaving an unusual hole in the baby’s abdominal wall. The baby’s bowel (intestines), stomach and sometimes other organs, such as their liver, develop outside of the body. As the baby grows in their mother, the bowel can become irritated, damaged or swollen. If your baby has this condition, they will need surgery very soon after birth to repair it. Most babies born with gastroschisis do not have any other health conditions.
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Imperforate Anus
Imperforate anus is a congenital (present at birth) anorectal disorder that prevents a child from having normal bowel movements. Also known as anorectal malformation, this condition causes the opening of the anus to be too small, located in an unusual location or missing.
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Meconium Ileus
Meconium is the sticky, tar-like material that newborns pass as their first bowel movement. Healthy babies pass meconium within their first day of life. Babies with meconium ileus have meconium that is even stickier and thicker than usual. This can cause bowel blockage. Most babies born with meconium ileus also have cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and pancreas.
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How do I raise an introverted child?
I have always been somewhat of a quiet person- someone who doesn’t want a lot of attention and who needs down time, especially after a social event. I am an introvert through and through and when I met my husband, one of the things that drew me to him was the fact that he is one as well. We have a mutual understanding that there will be times that there is quiet between us, times when one of disappears into a book or activity for hours, and comes back with renewed energy.
