The use of ultrasound to detect fetal anomalies has become standard in the U.S. Although the increase in diagnostic capability has benefited families in some ways, ultrasound and other diagnostic tools have their limitations. The pairing of...
The American Pregnancy website claims Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is the most common birth defect in the United States. Caused by an extra copy of chromosome number 21, there are a handful of symptoms usually identified during the course of routine...
The most common genetic disorder, Down syndrome affects every 1 in 800 to 1000 births. The presence of an extra chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome. The chance of having an affected child increases as a women ages, though in most cases, the mother...
Down syndrome occurs when a fetus carries three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies. Only a test of the fetus' genes can prove if a fetus has Down syndrome, but ultrasound can detect certain characteristic traits associated with it. A 3D...
If not treated, meningitis can be life threatening. Meningitis describes inflammation of the connective tissue covering the spinal cord and brain---the meninges. Bacteria or other infectious causes invade the meninges and release toxins into the...
Acne keloidalis nuchae is a skin condition that occurs due to inflamed hair follicles which are the result of ingrown hairs. This inflammation can lead to small scars that can enlarge into a thick scar, called a keloid. This condition is seen more...
While many pregnancies proceed through the nine months without a hitch, others are complicated by maternal or fetal disorders. Prenatal testing is done to prevent or treat complications that may impact the mother or baby. Some prenatal testing is...
As a pregnant woman, you might have been given advice by well-meaning friends and relatives to avoid stretching on your tiptoes or raising your arms above your head during pregnancy. However, these activities are perfectly safe for most pregnant...
Meningitis is a serious infection that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Meningitis affects the meninges, the lining of the spinal cord and brain, and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds them. Meningitis can be difficult to diagnose in...
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the tissue overlying the brain and the spinal cord. The most common causes of meningitis in adolescents are bacteria and viruses. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...
For Women Under 35: Triple Screen--This is a blood test that is done between 15 and 20 weeks. The test screens for Down syndrome and spina bifida, two common birth defects. The test is usually covered by insurance, and the results usually return...
Imagine a time when the health of your child was a complete mystery until the day of delivery. Amniocentesis was first developed in the late 1950s as a way of determining the sex of a child but was not used until the 1970s for the diagnosis of...
Spinal anesthesia is done through the introduction of local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that flows in the brain and spinal cord. Injection is usually done at the lumbar spine 2 level. Surgeries below the level of the navel...
Meningitis is an infection of the spinal fluid and protective fibrous tissue that encapsulates the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. Bacteria and viruses, and less commonly, fungi and parasites can cause meningitis. The Meningitis Foundation of...
Ultrasound is a medical diagnostic tool used in many clinical applications. One of the uses of ultrasound most familiar to the general public is to monitor the progress of fetal development during pregnancy. Physicians use ultrasounds to assess...
According to "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice," meningitis is the inflammation of the meningeal layers, which is the protective covering that surrounds the brain and spinal cord; it is a neurological emergency and an infectious...
Down syndrome, a congenital chromosomal disorder that causes physical anomalies and developmental delays, affects approximately 1 in 700 to 800 people, the Mayo Clinic reports. People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21....
Many medical personnel suggest having an ultrasound around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for possible physical problems with the baby, or the placenta or fluid inside the uterus. While you can refuse a scan around 20 weeks, most expectant parents...
After the eighth week of pregnancy, your developing baby is properly called a fetus. By this time, all of the major organs and structures have formed. According to "Your Pregnancy Week by Week," only 3 percent of all babies are born with major...
The trapezius and the latissimus dorsi muscles make up the superficial extrinsic muscles of the back, with the trapezius covering the upper portion of the back and the latissimus dorsi covering the lower portion. The trapezius gets its name from...
