Congenital bladder rupture and urine ascites secondary to a sacrococcygeal teratoma

A case of congenital bladder rupture with urine ascites and bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to a sacrococcygeal teratoma obstructing the bladder outlet is presented. As no evidence of pulmonary hypoplasia and renal dysplasia was present, with rapid recovery of renal function after decompressive surgery, the infravesical obstruction probably occurred late in the fetal period. The bladder rupture resulting in internal decompression may have constituted an additional protective mechanism for the preservation of renal function.     

Ammonia encephalopathy secondary to urinary tract infection with Proteus mirabilis

A parent had been giving mega-doses of vitamin E to an 8-year-old child with 21-D trisomy for five years in the firmly rooted belief that this therapy was responsible for the child's freedom from constant symptoms of systemic and respiratory infection. The design of an unbiased double-blind clinical trial permitted the parent to reach, on her own, the face-saving conclusion that continuation of this therapy was no longer necessary. Applications of this approach and the underlying nonjudgmental attitude to other potentially harmful health behaviors and practices are discussed.     

Congenital familial transient hypothyroidism secondary to transplacental thyrotropin-blocking autoantibodies

Three patients demonstrated transient neonatal hypothyroidism, presumably secondary to maternally derived thyrotropin (TSH)-blocking antibodies. Although transient, this disorder might not have been benign in the first child, who exhibited significant developmental delay. A thyroid scan was not helpful in making this diagnosis. Although uncommon, this disorder should be suspected in infants with a maternal history of autoimmune thyroid disease, multiple siblings with congenital hypothyroidism, or a clinical course characterized by continually suppressed TSH levels, despite low doses of levothyroxine sodium replacement. Measurement of TSH-blocking antibodies may be used in the diagnosis of transient neonatal hypothyroidism at birth and is becoming more readily available from reference laboratories. Once diagnosed, the patient may then be prepared for monitored withdrawal of levothyroxine replacement therapy at 2 to 3 years of age and will not be committed to lifelong replacement therapy.     

Congenital horner syndrome and hemiplegia secondary to carotid dissection

A 5-month-old infant had right Horner syndrome and left hemiplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed smaller cerebral hemisphere and magnetic resonance angiography showed reduced blood flow in the internal carotid artery on the right. A diagnosis of congenital hemiplegia and carotid occlusion secondary to maternal trauma during pregnancy was made.     

Congenital secondary acute pleuroperitoneal prolapse

In a case of a infant with congenital secondary acute enterothorax will represented, that congenital diaphragm defect must not be in evidence clinical directly postnatal. Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, cyanosis and intercostal drawing are the cardinal symptoms of the acute enterothorax. Clinical examination and X-ray technique of the thorax secure the diagnosis. Transthoracal and transabdominal surgical-entrance will weighed against one another, in which we recommended the abdominal surgical-entrance.     

Congenital hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency secondary to maternal hypoparathyroidism.

A new case of congenital hyperparathyroidism secondary to maternal hypoparathyroidism is described. Neonatal roentgenograms of the skeleton showed severe bone demineralisation and the distal metaphyses of the long bones were spread, frayed and cupped. Elevated levels of serum immunoreactive parathormone (iPTH) were found at the age of 41 days=270 mulEq/ml (Normal: less than 50 mulEq/ml). A very low plasma 25-OH-D concentration (less than 4 ng/ml) was found at the same time in spite of previous administration of 600 units of vitamin D every day for 18 days and in spite of healing of the bone lesions. At the age of 3 months, 15 mg of vitamin D was given orally: iPTH levels which remained high 3 weeks before (210 mulEq/ml) were found to be normal one week after this vitamin D load (37 mulEq/ml). It is suggested that in congenital hyperparathyroidism secondary to maternal hypoparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism increases the infants needs for vitamin D. This could result in a state of vitamin D deficiency which in turn would maintain the parathyroid hyperactivity.     

Placental contribution to neonatal encephalopathy

Placental assessment, although currently underused, can inform our understanding of the etiology and timing of Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE). We review our current understanding of the links between placental dysfunction and NE and how this information may inform clinical decisions, now and in the future, emphasizing the four major placental lesions associated with NE. In addition, we discuss maternal and fetal factors that are hypothesized to contribute to specific placental pathologies, especially innate or acquired thrombophilias. We outline the importance of assessing placenta across trimesters and after delivery. As this field continues to evolve, currently available placental histopathological examination methods may need to be combined with advanced prenatal molecular and imaging assessments of placenta and be applied in well-designed studies in large representative populations to better define the links between placental dysfunction and NE.     

Colonic atresia secondary to a choledochal cyst

Colonic atresia and choledochal cyst are both uncommon congenital abnormalities. We report a case in which the two conditions coexisted and propose an aetiological link. Accepted: 10 April 1997