Anal Atresia FACTS: There is no known cause for anal atresia. Children with anal atresia can lead very happy lives post surgery!

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1 Anal Atresia FACTS: Anal atresia affects 1 in 5,000 births and is slightly more common in boys. There is no known cause for this condition. With anal atresia, any of the following can occur: The anal passage may be narrow or not in the normal location. A membrane may be present over the anal opening. The rectum (the end of the colon) may not connect to the anus (the opening where stool exits the body. The rectum may connect to part of the urinary tract or the reproductive system though a passage called a fistula, and an anal opening is not present. Approximately 50% of babies with anal atresia have other medical problems. Some of the most common problems are with the spine, kidneys and urinary tract, heart, trachea and esophagus and limb defects. There is no known cause for anal atresia. Children with anal atresia can lead very happy lives post surgery! 72

2 Anal Atresia TREATMENT: Most children with anal atresia require surgery. After surgery children will need to receive anal dilatations. This is done to enlarge the opening gradually. Some children will become constipated and require a high fiber diet and the use of laxatives prior to potty training. Children with anal atresia can usually be successfully toilet trained. Many children gain bowel control more slowly. Depending on the type of malformation and the surgical repair, some children may not have good bowel control. Some specialized hospitals offer bowel management classes to help a child be in control. Diets high in fiber are helpful to kids with this condition. Most children will require surgery. 73

3 Failure to Thrive FACTS: Failure to thrive is a term used when children do not gain weight like they should. Some children with this condition even die. It can be caused by a medical issue, such as heart defect, infection or cleft lip, or by a lack of emotional and physical stimulation. Failure to thrive can occur when a baby s formula is mixed with more water than the package instructions state. This weak formula leads to poor nutrition and low weight gain. The main cause of failure to thrive, however, is a simple lack of touch and love. All babies need to be held and talked to. Babies can actually become depressed and lose the desire to eat when they do not have consistent loving care. Touching a baby helps calm him or her. Eye-to-eye contact is essential to the healthy development of a child. Children who are in institutions or hospitals are at an increased risk for failure to thrive. Many babies simply seem to give up their desire to grow. Failure to thrive should be identified early and appropriate treatment started so that normal growth and development can occur. SIGNS IN BABIES: All babies and children need to be touched and loved in order to grow properly. Decrease in weight gain or malnourishment. Children under two years old should gain weight every single month. Poor physical development. Child does not crawl, roll over, walk or talk at the same age as healthy children. Lack of interest in people and toys. Absence of smiling or vocalization. Dislikes being held and avoids eye-to-eye contact. Child is quiet and doesn t cry or is frequently inconsolable, irritable and fussy. Poor feeding, vomiting, sleep disturbance or spitting up food. Decreased or absent appetite. Repetitive behaviors such as head banging and rocking a sign more stimulation is needed. 74 A child with no appetite should be evaluated for failure to thrive.

4 Failure to Thrive TREATMENT: A doctor should examine the baby for medical causes such as heart defects or stomach disorders. If no medical disorders are found, the baby may be failing to thrive due to a lack of touch and stimulation. Formula should be properly prepared according to package directions. Loving care should be provided consistently. Caregivers should make eye contact every time when feeding the child. Playing hide and seek with your hand over your eyes to draw attention to your face may be helpful. Try singing in a gentle and pleasing voice when the child looks at your eyes and stop whenever he or she looks away to help encourage eye contact. Gently caressing the child s cheek during feeding may also help. Caregivers should talk softly and gently or sing to the baby during daily care activities like giving baths and diaper changing. Holding the baby close is important. Touching the baby gently and caressing the face, arms and hands is helpful while feeding and providing other daily care activities. The baby should be allowed to sit up and observe other babies around him or her to provide stimulation. The baby should be allowed to play with safe and appropriate objects, such as a colorful ball or rattle, for stimulation. Telling the baby short stories or letting him or her listen to soft music will also provide stimulation. Caregivers should make eye contact with the children as much as possible. Singing and talking to babies also help to stimulate them. 75

5 Feeding/Swallowing Issues FACTS: A child with a feeding disorder may not be able to suck on a bottle, take food from a spoon, chew food or accept certain types and textures of food. Others may stuff too much food into their mouths. Feeding disorders may or may not accompany other medical issues. Oral aversion refers to when a child does not eat certain textures, tastes or colors of food. Some children will refuse by crying, pushing the food away or gagging. Children with oral aversion often like foods that have little flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. A child may refuse having his face washed or teeth brushed. A hyposensitive child likes foods that have strong flavors and crunchy textures. The child may stuff his or her mouth full of food and may store food in the cheeks or the roof of the mouth and keep it for a long time. The child may enjoy textures or touch to face and lips. The child may also bite or chew on clothing, objects or other children. A child with oral motor issues may have weak muscles in the lips, tongue and jaw or have limited movement and difficulty chewing. The tongue may rest in a forward position on the lower lip. The child s mouth may be open most of the time. A child with oral aversion may not be willing to eat textured food. Other children might stuff food into their mouths and store it there. 76

6 Feeding/Swallowing Issues TREATMENT: Children should be seen by a physician who specializes in treating feeding and swallowing disorders. For children with oral aversion: Never force a child to eat. Offer foods that are bland in flavor and smooth in texture. Cover disliked foods in a well-loved food. Offer foods that are room temperature to warm. For children who are hyposensitive: Chill foods and liquids. Add flavor or texture to food. Remind the child to eat and swallow one bite of food before taking the next bite. Give food items that are chewy, crunchy, or sour. There are many good treatments for children with feeding issues. For children with oral motor issues: Spoon may be presented in a sideways position Never press against the tongue to keep it inside the mouth. Food should be chilled. Liquids may be given using a regular rimmed cup. Child may use a straw to drink liquids (the straw should be placed at the lips and should not reach the child s teeth). Child may blow horns, whistles and bubbles. With therapy most children learn to eat normally. 77

7 Gastroschisis FACTS: In this condition the baby is born with a hole or weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall that allows the internal organs to protrude. This condition requires immediate surgery. Seek medical attention immediately. The protruding organs should be carefully covered by a damp towel and care taken to prevent infection. After surgery observe the child for abdominal pain, difficulty with passing stools or fever. Consult a doctor immediately if these symptoms occur. Sometimes a child is born with one or more internal organs on the outside of his or her body. Surgery should be done immediately. 78

8 Gastroschisis TREATMENT: Surgery is the only treatment. Most children have no further problems once the defect in the abdominal wall is repaired Once a child is healed, he or she has a great chance of finding a home. After surgery most children live very healthy lives! 79

9 Megacolon FACTS: Megacolon is a complication found with a bowel disease, an infection of the colon or is present from birth. It is a life-threatening enlargement of the colon. The enlarged colon does not have the nerve cells that help the intestinal muscles to move the stool. The stool becomes trapped in the colon, filling it and causing it to expand to larger than normal. Symptoms include abdominal tenderness, abdominal pain and a swollen abdomen. Dehydration, fever, a rapid heart rate or constipation may also be present. In older children symptoms can include passing small watery stools, diarrhea and lack of appetite. The child should be taken to the doctor when symptoms are present. The doctor may recommend medications or a special diet to assist with keeping the bowels moving. Children with megacolon can be successfully treated and adopted. Special diets can help a child with megacolon live a happy life. 80

10 Megacolon TREATMENT: If megacolon appears with another condition, treatment of that condition is necessary to prevent further problems. Seeing a doctor is very important. Intravenous lines for fluid are usually administered to prevent dehydration and shock. Antibiotics may be given to prevent infection. Surgery may be required. Surgery is often needed to treat megacolon. My family loves me! 81

11 Pyloric Stenosis FACTS: Although pyloric stenosis can occur in both boys and girls, it is more common in boys. Pyloric stenosis can run in families and primarily occurs in infants. The main symptom is vomiting that gets progressively worse. The vomiting usually happens immediately after feeding and is not associated with a fever or illness. Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing in the area of the stomach that leads to the intestines. The child remains hungry after vomiting and wants to eat again. The vomiting can shoot out from the baby s mouth and be quite forceful. Dehydration can develop quickly. A baby with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. Pyloric stenosis is not contagious. Babies with pyloric stenosis often have trouble gaining weight. If a baby has forceful vomiting after eating, they could have pyloric stenosis. This condition requires immediate medical care. 82

12 Pyloric Stenosis TREATMENT: Pyloric stenosis is treated with surgery. Rehydration by intravenous fluids takes place before surgery. Surgical repair usually provides complete relief. If any vomiting or failure to gain weight happens after surgery, see a doctor immediately. With surgery a child can be perfectly healthy. I can eat normally now! 83