أبو يوسف
03-22-2007, 09:37 AM
Downs Syndrome.
Downs Syndrome is caused by a chromosomal defect at the time of conception, which results from the presence of an extra number 21 chromosome ( there are 3 when there should be 2).
Features of Downs Syndrome include:
* round head and face with slanting eyes (reminiscent of the Mongolian race, hence the slang term Mongols)
* small mouth, large tongue, stubby depressed nose
*common congenital heart defects,
atrial septal defect,
ventricular septal defect,
Fallots Tetralogy,
Ductus Arteriosus
hypotonicity
mental retardation
atlantoaxial subluxation and instability
excessive secretions
short stature, short neck
airway difficulties
difficult to sedate (tend to be resistant to sedatives(
sensitive to opioids (smaller doses have same effect(.
POTENTIAL RECOVERY PROBLEMS.
Excessive secretions- it is recommended to recover the* patient in the lateral position.
*The patient may already be cyanosed and hypoxic due to heart defects.
* Intubation may have been traumatic due to small mouth and tongue, resulting in bleeding and selling.
* May not have the cognitive skills to articulate feelings of discomfort or pain.
* Mental retardation/ hypotonicity- usual recovery checks of movement, lifting head and coughing may not be an option.
*Atlantoaxial subluxation/instability, cannot extend the neck (they may already be wearing a collar), extension of neck can cause quadriplegia or death.
* Laryngeal spasm may occur on extubation due to excessive secretions stimulating the larynx (spasm can cause partial or complete obstruction).
*Laryngeal stridor may occur, which is a high pitched sound on inspiration or expiration. This can be due to smaller diameter of airway, local swelling or blood and secretions.
Downs Syndrome is caused by a chromosomal defect at the time of conception, which results from the presence of an extra number 21 chromosome ( there are 3 when there should be 2).
Features of Downs Syndrome include:
* round head and face with slanting eyes (reminiscent of the Mongolian race, hence the slang term Mongols)
* small mouth, large tongue, stubby depressed nose
*common congenital heart defects,
atrial septal defect,
ventricular septal defect,
Fallots Tetralogy,
Ductus Arteriosus
hypotonicity
mental retardation
atlantoaxial subluxation and instability
excessive secretions
short stature, short neck
airway difficulties
difficult to sedate (tend to be resistant to sedatives(
sensitive to opioids (smaller doses have same effect(.
POTENTIAL RECOVERY PROBLEMS.
Excessive secretions- it is recommended to recover the* patient in the lateral position.
*The patient may already be cyanosed and hypoxic due to heart defects.
* Intubation may have been traumatic due to small mouth and tongue, resulting in bleeding and selling.
* May not have the cognitive skills to articulate feelings of discomfort or pain.
* Mental retardation/ hypotonicity- usual recovery checks of movement, lifting head and coughing may not be an option.
*Atlantoaxial subluxation/instability, cannot extend the neck (they may already be wearing a collar), extension of neck can cause quadriplegia or death.
* Laryngeal spasm may occur on extubation due to excessive secretions stimulating the larynx (spasm can cause partial or complete obstruction).
*Laryngeal stridor may occur, which is a high pitched sound on inspiration or expiration. This can be due to smaller diameter of airway, local swelling or blood and secretions.