Diffusion of innovative approaches to managing hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Article Abstract:

It appears that many infant specialists recommend and perform palliative surgical treatment or transplantation for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) but many continue to offer only comfort care. Palliative surgery is an interim option that relieves symptoms but does not cure the heart condition. Researchers surveyed 93 infant specialty departments about their current treatment recommendations and practices and quality of life perceptions associated with the treatment options for patients with HLHS. Sixty-one departments recommended palliative surgery and or transplantation and 19 recommended comfort care only. Even though more departments believed that their patients would have a better quality of life with transplantation, they recommended palliative surgery more often than transplantation possibly because of limited heart availability. Fifty-eight percent of the departments offer palliative surgery, 43% perform heart transplantations, and 36% offer comfort care only. Twenty-six departments could perform palliative surgery followed by transplantation when a heart was available.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Evaluation, Palliative treatment, Palliative care, Organ transplantation, Pediatric surgery, Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc. in children, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

---

Fetal alcohol syndrome at the turn of the 20th century: an unexpected explanation of the Kallikak family

Article Abstract:

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was probably responsible for the prevalence of mental retardation seen throughout the Kallikak family pedigree. The Kallikaks were used to document an early twentieth century theory of eugenics that said that mental retardation, poverty, and antisocial behavior were hereditary. Believers in eugenics attempted to better the race by encouraging persons of high attainment to marry each other and proposing the sterilization of those considered unfit. Henry H. Goddard, who studied the family, specifically rejected alcohol as the cause of the Kallikak multigenerational prevalence of mental disability. However, photographs of the children show the facial features now known to be typical of FAS, and the patterns of infant death and "feebleminded" children in relationship to parents labeled "drunkards" or "nondrunkards" strongly suggests FAS as the operating factor. The widespread acceptance of the concept of hereditary "feeblemindedness" delayed investigation into the prenatal effects of alcohol for many decades.

Case studies, History, Fetal alcohol syndrome, Eugenics

---

Is excessive daytime sleepiness characteristic of Prader-Willi syndrome? The effects of weight change

Article Abstract:

Excessive daytime sleepiness may be a primary characteristic of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Researchers evaluated eight patients, aged 5.5 to 21 years, who were diagnosed with PWS for daytime and nighttime sleep patterns. All patients exhibited sleep-disordered breathing caused by either obstruction or periods of no breathing during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Weight loss improved breathing during sleep to normal rates for three patients. Excessive daytime sleepiness remained even after weight loss, indicating an underlying sleep disturbance. Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic condition marked by short height, mental retardation, lack of sexual development, and obesity.

Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Sleep disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Evidence-based medicine: a new approach to teaching the practice of medicine. Meeting of managerial science with medicine: the pace quickens
• Abstracts: Diversion tactics. (Prader-Willi syndrome). Hunter syndrome. Klinefelter's Syndrome
• Abstracts: The genetic basis of the reduced expression of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 in Gilbert's syndrome. Gilbert's syndrome - a legitimate genetic anomaly?
• Abstracts: Weight perception of adolescent dancing school students. Pediatric firearm-related fatalities: not just an urban problem
• Abstracts: Health promotion models. What blame can teach us about sexual health promotion. Health promotion in general practice: the views of staff

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.