Definitions Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the physiologic retrograde passage of fluid from the stomach to the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux events occur in healthy infants multiple times per day. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the pathologic condition wherein such retrograde flow…
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex combination of organs whose primary function is to digest and absorb nutrients. Many important secondary functions are also performed, such as the endocrine function of the pancreas. In fact, what was once…
Special Considerations for Transfusion Therapy in the Neonate Neonates constitute one of the most heavily transfused patient groups in the hospital. In a Canadian study, over 50% of infants at less than 30 weeks’ gestation and more than 80% of…
Human Hematopoietic Development Hematopoietic Stem Cells Blood cells arise from the differentiating embryonic mesoderm. Human erythroid and macrophage progenitor cells have been observed in the yolk sac by days 16-19 and at day 19 in the aortic-gonad-mesonephros (AGM). After the…
Introduction Neonates with congenital heart disease require a well-integrated and multidisciplinary team approach to achieve optimal outcomes. The complexity of managing a critically ill newborn is compounded greatly when the cardiovascular physiology and/or anatomy are significantly altered. Many of the…
Neonates experience a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, varying from benign and asymptomatic to life threatening. In this chapter we will discusses the normal and abnormal variations in cardiac rate and rhythms that are frequently encountered in the newborn period. Normal…
Cardiac Malposition and Abnormalities of Abdominal Situs Bodily Arrangement and Situs The development of morphologically right-sided structures on one side of the body, and morphologically left-sided structures on the other side, is termed lateralization or situs . The normal arrangement,…
Summary Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in infants worldwide. The following chapter provides an overview of the anatomy, physiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management strategies for a wide range of congenital heart disease…
In utero, the ductus arteriosus provides a connection between the pulmonary artery and descending aorta through which deoxygenated blood returning to the right heart is diverted to the placenta for reoxygenation. Although essential to normal fetal physiology, it normally constricts,…
Introduction Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 6-8 per 1000 live births. However, only 20% of babies with congenital heart disease would be identified if the examination of the fetal heart were confined to traditional high-risk groups such as increased nuchal…