The following simple procedures can safeguard your child against basic illnesses and conditions that many parents simply know nothing about.
Testing for Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)
LQTS is a genetic disorder of the heart’s electrical system, which can cause lethal arrhythmias. It particularly involves the process of repolarisation, or recharging of the electrical system after each heartbeat.
The QT interval is the duration of electrical recharging measured on the electrocardiogram. In the patient with LQTS, the QT interval is often longer than normal. This abnormally prolonged recharging process renders patients vulnerable for an abnormal arrhythmia known as torsade de pointes (TdP).
When TdP occurs, the heart cannot effectively pump blood, resulting in the typical symptoms of LQTS: fainting, seizing and sudden death.
It is possible to go from a normal heartbeat to cardiac arrest in less than one minute. With LQTS, the only difference between fainting and waking up versus fainting and dying is whether or not the LQTS heart returns spontaneously to normal rhythm or first responders get to the heart in time to defibrillate. Fortunately, most LQTS patients do not die suddenly.
LQTS can cause sudden unexplained death in children where the condition has not been diagnosed, simply by startling affected children. This sudden shock or surprise can result in the heart stopping and failing to start again. Half a million people die of LQTS in the USA, but a simple ECG test can identify those people who are susceptible to it. If diagnosed, a beta blocker can prevent any problems from occurring.
Taking A Simple Blood Test to Identify MCAD
MCAD deficiency is a genetic disorder caused by the deficiency for an enzyme which breaks down fats to give us energy. An enzyme is a protein made in the body, which helps a chemical reaction to proceed. Each of the chemical reactions, or steps, in the bodies’ metabolism needs a specific enzyme to function.
MCAD is part of a chain of enzymes which act together to break down fats into energy. Babies and children with MCAD deficiency are at danger of developing illness with low blood sugar during episodes of prolonged fasting.
A simple blood test can establish if a child is susceptible to MCAD, and steps can then be taken to prevent any harm coming to a child who has this genetic disorder. Between around one in 80 healthy people are carriers of MCAD deficiency.
Getting an Easily-Accessible Vaccine Against Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can be a very serious illness. Meningitis is often associated with septicaemia, otherwise known as blood poisoning, which can also be extremely serious.
Although most people recover from the disease, some are left deaf or blind, and in others it may prove fatal. One of the biggest problems with meningitis is that it can develop very quickly. A child (or adult) can seem perfectly well and then, just a few hours later, be extremely ill with the disease. Another problem is that the symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other, less serious infections.
The Symptoms of Meningitis
Early warning signs of meningitis in children under 17 years old often include cold hands and feet, abnormal skin colour, and leg pains.These symptoms are early signs of septicaemia and can often occur hours before other classic symptoms such as a rash and dislike of bright light. Meningitis can be prevented with a simple vaccine.
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