Spread of Infectious Diseases Among Children During the 1950s and Resolutions to These Outbreaks “Children inherit a variable amount of immunity from the mother; it does not last long, but usually is adequate to tide them over for the first year of life” (Van Dellen 20). However, in the 1950s, children began to acquire less protection compared to children from the past. Since the mothers were not acquiring these threatening diseases, they were transmitting fewer antibodies to protect their babies of these diseases. Consequently, the number of infectious diseases occurring in early childhood became a major concern. Some contagious diseases infecting the children during this time period included poliomyelitis, Staphylococcus, diphtheria,
Neonatal lupus occurs in infants whose mothers have lupus (New York Times Health Guide). When a pregnant woman has lupus, she can pass it on to her son or daughter, and if the child gets neonatal lupus he or she could have skin problems, rashes, liver problems, or low blood cell counts, and some could even have serious heart defects (New York Times Health Guide). The only good news about neonatal lupus is that it is very rare, so the chances of having a child with it are very low (New York Times Health
The abnormalities include facial deformities and defective limbs, face and heart. Most of these children are below average in intelligence. In one study, however, even mothers who drank moderately during pregnancy had babies who were less attentive and alert, with the effects still present at four years of age. Cigarette smoking by pregnant women can also adversely influence prenatal development, birth and postnatal development. Fetal and neonatal deaths are higher among smoking mothers.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): Before birth, a large artery (ductus arteriosus) lets the blood bypass the lungs because the fetus gets its oxygen through the placenta. The ductus normally closes soon after birth so that blood can travel to the lungs and pick up oxygen. If it doesn’t close, the baby may develop heart failure. This problem occurs most frequently in premature babies. Treatment with medicine during the early days of life often can close the ductus.
“This syndrome occurs mostly in babies six months or younger” (Blue Baby Syndrome). Blue Baby Syndrome usually affects this age group because they have a low amount of methemoglobin reducers in their bodies and typically have more Methemoglobinemia then they can get rid of. If the Methemoglobinemia is not tested for or taken care of by doctors then it could kill the baby that are having problems with it. Usually if an adult is having problem with Blue Baby Syndrome then because they have a better immune system and are healthier they can fight off the disease and get their blood back to normal. Blue Baby Syndrome first came into light with a movie called Something the Lord Made.
In 2005 the United States had higher infant mortality and maternal mortality rates than many other industrialized nations; ranked 30th in infant mortality and 20th in maternal mortality. Prenatal health care is considered one of the best preventive health care practices that could potentially reduce the risk of maternal mortality and infant death. During prenatal health care the mother can undergo risk assessment tests, treatment for current medical conditions, and valuable education. The health disparities amongst maternal mortality have been contributed to poverty, sociocultural factors and limited education. Women who live in areas of high poverty usually cannot afford adequate health care and when they become pregnant they are less likely to see a doctor
•Vulnerable mothers and children As I was watching the video about premature babies I did not see many factors that were leading to the premature babies. TO me this was more of the cause and effect of the babies being pre mature. However I did notice that many of the ladies that they were mentioning that were having the pre mature babies were very young. With this I think that two factors that are present in this video that can increase the mothers and babies vulnerability are age and education. In our text book it says that premature babies have a higher risk or health problems and death.
They are used to determine and identify risk factors for birth defects or serious life threatening illness. This can include the control and prevention on environmental influences that can cause epigenetic changes in the fetus. Some of the preventable environmental influences during pregnancy can be certain prescribed medications, smoking, drinking, diabetes etc. “Gestational diabetes, advanced maternal age, and obesity have the highest impact on gestational diabetes risk. Racial/ethnic origin and family history of type 2 diabetes have a significant though moderate impact (except for type 2 diabetes in siblings).
The medical conditions that contribute to childhood obesity are due to genetics. There are certain conditions that can cause it, which include gestational diabetes in the mother of the unborn fetus, a condition called Prader-Willi-Syndrome, metabolic disorders, Cushing Syndrome, and hypothyroidism (Perplech; Russ; Rizzolo; Sedrak, 2011). During an interview with a women’s health practice, according to the doctors there, gestational diabetes can cause childhood obesity and a large baby if the mother does not control her diet, keep track of her blood sugar, follow doctor’s orders, and take the medications prescribed by the doctor when needed (McGrail; Fetterolf; Ham; Fackler, 2008; 2010). When children have these conditions they are more likely to become obese. According to the article Prader-Willi-Syndrome, “Prader-Willi-syndrome is a highly variable genetic disorder affecting multiple systems”
(After Heird et al, Journal of Pediatrics, 1972; 80: 351-372.) High nutritional demands for growth | | The nourishment children require, per unit body size, is greatest in infancy (Table 12.1), because of their rapid growth during this period. At 4 months of age, 30% of an infant's energy intake is used for growth, but by 1 year of age this falls to 5%, and by 3 years to 2%. The risk of growth failure from restricted energy intake is therefore greater in the first 6 months of life than in later childhood. Even small but recurrent deficits in early childhood will lead to a cumulative deficit in weight and height.