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AsthmaHow common is it? This lung condition affects 9 million American children. The most common chronic disease of childhood, asthma is the leading cause of hospital admission and a significant cause of school absenteeism. What causes it? Asthma is caused by inflamed or swollen airways, the tubes carrying air in and out of the lungs. The inflammation makes the airways sensitive and more reactive to allergens and irritants. When the airways react, they get narrower and less air flows to the lung tissue. The reaction causes symptoms like wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. Information for parents: In a severe reaction, called an asthma attack, the airways restrict airflow so much that air cannot reach vital organs. Asthma can be a life-threatening condition. It is often triggered by allergens and irritants, like pets, mold, exercise, dust mites, pollen, weather and pests. Although there is no cure, asthma can be controlled by eliminating triggers, when possible, and medication. Juvenile Rheumatoid ArthritisHow common is it? Some 300,000 children in the United States develop rheumatoid arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most prevalent form of juvenile arthritis, affecting 50,000 U.S. children each year. What causes it? Arthritis is an inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can be short-term, lasting weeks or months, or a chronic condition lasting years. Over time, arthritis can cause joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function, and disability. Common signs of the three different types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis include joint swelling with pain and stiffness, fever and rash, swelling of lymph nodes and eye inflammation. Information for parents: Medical experts
are still unsure what causes rheumatoid
arthritis in children. Research indicates it
is an autoimmune disease, where white blood
cells lose the ability to tell the
difference between the body’s healthy cells
and harmful bacteria and viruses. Exercise,
medication and physical therapy help
children control the effects of the
condition. Treatment methods focus on
relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and
stopping or slowing joint damage. Congenital Heart DiseaseHow common is it? More than 40,000 babies are born each year with a heart defect, making congenital heart defects the most frequently occurring birth defect in America. It is the No. 1 cause of death from birth defects during the first year of life. Today, about 1 million American children and adults are living with congenital heart disease. What causes it? During early pregnancy, a baby’s heart fails to form properly, resulting in structural abnormalities known as congenital heart defects. Although some defects are genetic, in many cases the cause is unknown. Only a few genes have been discovered that are linked to heart defects. Many babies are diagnosed early in life; however, some are not detected until adolescence or later. Cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes often are caused by undiagnosed congenital heart defects and childhood onset heart disease. Information for parents: Nearly all
children with simple heart defects survive
into adulthood; some children have
developmental delays or other learning
difficulties. Exercise may be limited, but
most children can lead normal lives. For
those with more severe defects, many medical
treatments, including surgery, are available
and help the heart work properly. Sickle Cell AnemiaHow common is it? This inherited blood disorder affects about 80,000 people in the United States. To inherit the disease, both sets of parents must be carriers of the defective hemoglobin gene that causes sickle cell disease. However, children can still be carriers of the defective gene without having the disease. Sickle cell disease can affect all races but is more prevalent among Africans, Greeks, Arabs and Hispanics. Today, all babies are screened for hemoglobin at birth. What causes it? Sickle cell disease occurs when the body produces red blood cells shaped more like crescents, or sickles, instead of the normal round, doughnut shape. The abnormally shaped red blood cells block the flow of blood that circulates throughout the tissues of the body. With impaired circulation, the tissues suffer damage from lack of oxygen. Information for parents: Those with sickle cell anemia feel weak, tired, may appear pale or washed out, and have a yellowish tint to their skin or the whites of their eyes. Other symptoms of sickle cell anemia includes swelling of the hands and feet, bacterial infections, sudden pooling of the blood in the spleen, and pain. Children born with sickle cell disease may not show symptoms immediately after birth, since the fetal hemoglobin protects the red blood cells from sickling. Symptoms usually begin around 5 months of age. The only known treatment is a bone marrow transplant, which is considered experimental. Cleft Palate and LipHow common is it? Cleft palate and lip is one of the most common congenital birth defects of the head and neck, and is more common in males. Cleft palate and lip affects more than 5,000 U.S. babies annually. What causes it? Cleft palate occurs when the mouth doesn’t develop properly during the baby’s gestation, leaving an opening, called a cleft, in the roof of the mouth that may go through to the nasal cavity. Cleft lip often occurs with cleft palate and appears as a small indentation or split in the upper lip, which can extend up into one or both nostrils. It is rarely seen in the lower lip. Some medical experts believe cleft palate and cleft lip are genetic. Information for parents: This birth defect can cause breathing and eating difficulties. Some babies have problems suckling, leading to possible dehydration. Most babies undergo surgery to repair the defect, but there remain concerns about feeding, speech and hearing. Children with cleft palate and cleft lip often have dental problems. |
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