Dr. Alcibíades Batista González

Glomerulonephritis

💠 Neural Tube Defects: Signs, Symptoms & Prevention

➟ Neural tube defects are birth defects of the baby’s brain, spine, or spinal cord
→ The neural tube forms very early in pregnancy and later becomes the brain and spinal cord.
→ If it does not close properly, conditions like spina bifida or anencephaly can occur.
→ These defects develop very early, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

💠 Common types

➟ Spina bifida
→ The spine may not close completely during early development.
→ It can cause weakness in the legs, loss of sensation, bladder problems, bowel problems, and sometimes a swelling or sac over the spine.

➟ Anencephaly
→ A severe defect where major parts of the brain and skull do not form properly.
→ This condition is usually not compatible with long-term survival.

➟ Hydrocephalus sometimes
→ Fluid buildup in the brain can occur with some severe spinal defects.

💠 Possible signs and effects

➟ Back swelling or sac
→ Some babies may have a visible swelling or sac over the spine.

➟ Weakness in legs
→ Nerve involvement can affect leg movement and strength.

➟ Loss of sensation
→ Some areas of the legs or feet may have reduced feeling.

➟ Bladder or bowel problems
→ Nerve damage can affect urine and stool control.

➟ Often detected before birth
→ Ultrasound and pregnancy screening can detect many neural tube defects before delivery.

💠 Prevention

➟ Take folic acid before pregnancy
→ Folic acid should ideally be started before conception because the neural tube closes very early.
→ The CDC recommends 400 mcg of folic acid daily before and during early pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects.

➟ Continue in early pregnancy
→ Folic acid is most important during the first weeks of pregnancy.

➟ Eat folate-rich foods
→ Include leafy greens, lentils, beans, citrus fruits, peanuts, and fortified grains.

➟ Plan pregnancy if high risk
→ Women with previous affected pregnancy, diabetes, seizure medicines, or certain medical conditions may need higher-dose folic acid under doctor guidance.

➟ Control diabetes before pregnancy
→ Good blood sugar control before and during pregnancy helps lower birth-defect risk.

➟ Avoid unsafe medicines without advice
→ Review medicines with a doctor before and during pregnancy.

💠 Key message

➟ Neural tube defects affect early brain or spinal cord development.
→ Folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy greatly reduces the risk.
→ Pregnancy planning, early antenatal care, screening, and good control of medical conditions are very important.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer:
This information is for general health education only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified gynecologist or healthcare professional before pregnancy or early in pregnancy for folic acid dose, medication review, diabetes control, screening tests, and personalized care.

Pediatric feeding

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La taquipnea transitoria del recién nacido (TTN) es un trastorno respiratorio leve y temporal que ocurre en algunos bebés poco después del nacimiento. 🚼📚

¿Qué es exactamente?
Es una condición en la que el recién nacido presenta respiración rápida (más de 60 respiraciones por minuto) debido a que queda líquido en los pulmones que normalmente debería haberse eliminado durante el parto. 👶🤕🤱

📍 ¿Por qué ocurre?
Durante el embarazo, los pulmones del bebé están llenos de líquido. Al nacer, ese líquido se elimina por:

✅ El paso por el canal del parto
✅ La activación de la respiración al nacer

En la TTN, ese líquido no se reabsorbe completamente, lo que dificulta el intercambio de oxígeno.

📍 Síntomas principales
✅ Respiración rápida (taquipnea)
✅ Aleteo nasal
✅ Quejido respiratorio
✅ Retracciones (se hunde el pecho al respirar)
✅ En algunos casos, leve coloración azulada (cianosis)

📍 ¿En qué bebés es más frecuente?
Nacidos por cesárea (sin trabajo de parto)

✅ Prematuros o casi a término
✅ Hijos de madres con diabetes
✅ Bebés grandes (macrosómicos)

📍 Evolución y tratamiento
Generalmente aparece en las primeras horas de vida

Se resuelve sola en 24 a 72 horas

El tratamiento es de apoyo:

✅ Oxígeno si es necesario
✅ Observación en hospital
✅ Alimentación controlada

📌 Importancia
Aunque suele ser benigna, es importante diferenciarla de otras enfermedades más graves como:
✅ síndrome de dificultad respiratoria neonatal
✅ neumonía neonatal

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