2. • Congenital anomalies are those defects
and diseases which are substantially
determined before or during birth and
recognizable in early life.
• Some disorders are detected at birth, eg;
cleft lip and cleft palate.
3. • Some are obvious in early life like congenital hip
dislocation which is detected until walking
commence and some may become apparent until
much later in life, e.g; patent ductus arteriosus, which
is usually diagnosed at school age or even later.
• Some defects are classified as major which may
require surgical interventions, either as emergency
or elective.
• Some are classified as minor and have no functional
implications, like skin tags in front of the ear.
4. Definition
• A WHO document describes congenital
anomaly being used to include all
biochemical, structural and functional
disorders present at birth and the congenital
malformation should be confined to structural
defects only, present at birth.
5. Incidence
• In India, the incidence of congenital defects is
about 2.5 to 4% among children most common
type of birth defects is CNS abnormalities,
approximately 22 % of all defects.
• In Northern part of India, neural tube defects are
most common, where as in the rest of India
musculoskeletal disorders are commonly found.
6. Risk factors
• Advanced maternal age
• Consanguinity
• Maternal malnutrition especially folic acid
deficiency can lead to CNS defects
7. Etiology
• Genetic factors: The anomalies may be
related to chromosomal abnormalities, single
gene disorders or polygenic inheritance.
Single gene disorders may be either
autosomal or X-linked inheritance which may
be dominant or recessive traits.
• Chromosomal abnormalities: The most
common is Down's syndrome or Trisomy 21
8. • Single gene disorders: They are found as
autosomal dominant inheritance, autosomal
recessive inheritance and X-linked
inheritance.
• Autosomal dominant traits: Huntington's
chorea, polydactyly, polycystic kidney,
retinoblastoma etc;
• Autosomal recessive traits: Cystic fibrosis,
microcephaly, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia,
phenylketonuria, Hirschsprung disease etc
9. • Environmental factors:
Intra uterine infections especially by
STORCH (syphilis, Toxoplasmosis, Rubella,
Cytomegalovirus and Herpes virus)
Drug intake by the mother during pregnancy
like steroid hormones, anticonvulsants,
cocaine, lithium, thalidomide etc;
11. Abnormal intra uterine environment like bicornuate
uterus, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, fetal
hypoxia etc;
Maternal addiction with alcohol, tobacco or
smoking
Environmental pollution, especially air pollution
12. Diagnostic approaches
• Prenatal diagnosis
Amniocentesis in early pregnancy
Chorionic villus sampling
Estimation of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein
Ultrasonography
Fetoscopy
Amniography
Fetal blood sampling
Radiography
Antenatal screening of maternal disease
13. • Postnatal diagnosis
Maternal and family history
Thorough physical examination.
Biochemical assay
Cytogenic study
Blood test
Hormonal assay
Radiography
Ultrasonography
24. Tracheoesophageal Fistula And Esophageal
Atresia.
Tracheoesophageal fistula is a developmental anomaly
characterized by an abnormal connection between the
trachea and the esophagus and usually accompanies
esophageal atresia.
Esophageal atresia is failure of the esophagus to form a
continuous passage from the pharynx to the stomach.
25.
26. Signs and symptoms vary according to
location of fistula and atresia.
1) The infant appears to swallow normally but soon after
coughs, struggles, become cyanotic, and stops breathing.
2) Stomach distention may cause respiratory distress.
3) Air and gastric contents may reflux through the fistula into
the trachea resulting in chemical pneumonitis.
4) If there is esophageal atresia without a fistula, as
secretions fill the esophageal sac and overflow into the
oropharynx, the infant develops mucus in the oropharynx
and drools excessively.
5) Repeated episodes of pneumonitis, pulmonary infection
and abdominal distention may be present.
27. Diagnosis
1) Catheter passed through the nose meets an obstruction.
2) Chest x-ray.
3) Abdominal x-ray.
4) Cinefluorography.
28. Treatment
1) Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia requires
surgical correction and are usually considered a surgical
emergency.
2) The type of surgical procedure and when it is performed
depends on the nature of the anomaly, the patient's general
condition, and the presence of coexisting congenital
defects.
29. Postoperative complications
1) Tracheoesophageal fistula: a) Recurrent
fistulas. b) Esophageal mobility dysfunction.
c) Esophageal stricture . d) Recurrent
bronchitis. e) Pneumothorax. f) Failure to
thrive.
2) Esophageal atresia: a) Impaired
esophageal motility. b) Hiatal hernia. c)
Reflux esophagitis.
30. Nursing interventions
1) Monitor respiratory status.
2) Perform pulmonary physiotherapy.
3) Suction as necessary.
4) Administer antibiotics and parenteral
fluids as ordered.
5) Observe for signs of complications
(that is pneumothorax).
31. 6) Maintain gastrostomy tube feedings.
7) Accurate I & O.
8) Give the baby a pacifier to satisfy his sucking
needs but only when he can safely handle
secretions.
9) Offer the parents support and guidance and
encourage bonding.
10)Positioning before and after surgery varies with the
doctor's philosophy and the child's anatomy.
a) Supine with his head low to facilitate
b) Head elevated to prevent aspiration.
32. Prevention of congenital anomalies:
• The preventive measures should include
the following aspects:
Genetic counseling
Reducing and discouraging
the consanguineous marriages
Avoiding late marriages in females and
avoidance of pregnancy beyond the age of
35 years.
33. Promotion of health of girl child and pre-pregnant
health status of the females by prevention of
malnutrition, anemia, folic acid deficiency, iodine
deficiency etc;
Encouraging the immunization of all girl child by
MMR
Elimination of active and passive smoking of
tobacco by mothers.
Avoidance of drug intake without consulting
physician
Prevention of intra uterine infections and
promotion of sexual hygiene
34. Efficient antenatal care especially removal of
teratogens, prevention of malnutrition by adequate
diet.
Promotion of therapeutic abortion of abnormal
fetus, Discouraging reproduction after birth of a
baby with congenital anomalies, without genetic
counseling.
Increasing public awareness about the risk factors
and etiological factors of congenital anomalies
Promotion of detection of genetic carriers
Reducing the frequency of hereditary disease
35. Nursing responsibilities:
• Collection of detailed history of prenatal and post natal period
along with history of family illness.
• Provide necessary information to the parents and family
members
• Motivate the family members for genetic counseling and
referring to the genetic clinic
36. • Provide emotional support and answer questions asked by
the counselee.
• Guide the family for rehabilitation of the child and for
available social and economical support through social
welfare agencies.
• Promote public awareness about the prevention of
congenital anomalies by individual or group health education
or by mass media informations.