Q. I was wondering if severe pernicious anemia during pregnancy that is not corrected could cause birth defects or neurological conditions in the fetus?
A. Pernicious anemia can affect all racial groups, but the incidence is higher among fair-haired people, especially those whose ancestors came from Scandinavia or Northern Europe. It usually doesn't appear before the age of 30, although a juvenile form of the disease can occur in children. About one in every 1,000 people is affected.
Alternative names for pernicious anemia are vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption), Addison's anemia, congenital pernicious anemia, and combined systems disease.
Causes of Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is needed for normal production of red blood cells. It is often hereditary. Risk factors include a history of autoimmune endocrine disorders, a family history of pernicious anemia, and Scandinavian or Northern European descent.
The meat and dairy products we eat are our primary sources of vitamin B12. However, except in strict vegetarians, pernicious anemia isn't simply caused by not eating enough of these foods. Usually, it is because of a failure in the complex process the digestive tract must go through to absorb vitamin B12.
In order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the small intestine, the cells that line a part of the stomach must produce a substance called intrinsic factor (IF). This substance attaches itself to vitamin B12, and both are absorbed in combination into the lowest portion of the small bowel (ileum), just before the small bowel enters the colon. If the ileum is damaged or removed in the course of surgery, the intrinsic factor/vitamin B12 combination will not be absorbed. People with conditions like Crohn's disease, who often have surgery to remove part of their ileum (the part of the small intestine where vitamin B12 is absorbed), should be screened for vitamin B12 deficiency and treated if needed.
Lack of intrinsic factor may also be congenital (present at birth). This form of pernicious anemia (called juvenile or congenital) is usually seen before a child is three years old. It is believed that only one parent needs to carry the gene for this disorder to pass it along to a child.
Less common causes of decreased B12 absorption include chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption syndromes, certain medications, and, very rarely, increased metabolism of B12 through longstanding hyperthyroidism. A very common cause of B12 deficiency in the elderly is inadequate absorption of dietary B12.
Pernicious anemia is often is also seen in combination with some autoimmune endocrine (gland) diseases such as type 1 diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, and testicular dysfunction.
Symptoms and Complications of Pernicious Anemia
In most cases, there are no early signs of pernicious anemia. As the disorder progresses, there may be shortness of breath and less endurance during exercise. A noticeable rapid heartbeat may also be evident. People with pernicious anemia often have very low hemoglobin but few symptoms of low hemoglobin, such as fatigue. Because the hemoglobin has decreased slowly over time, the person's body has gotten used to it. In contrast, with iron deficiency anemia, where the hemoglobin level drops more quickly and people are more likely to notice symptoms of low hemoglobin. Other symptoms that may develop include:
pale skin
a sore tongue
poor appetite and loss of weight
tingling and numbness of hands and feet
disturbed walking gait and balance (especially in the dark)
mental changes, including memory loss, irritability, mild depression, and dementia
yellow-blue colour blindness
If left untreated, the lack of vitamin B12 may gradually affect the sensory and motor nerves and cause neurological effects. The anemia can also affect the gastrointestinal system and cardiovascular systems, result in tongue problems, impair the sense of smell, and cause bleeding gums and the loss of deep tendon reflexes. In very advanced cases, paranoia, delirium, and confusion may also occur.
Pernicious anemia is a chronic disease that progresses slowly and steadily. In the past, before much was known about the disease and there was no treatment, it would eventually cause death after many years of suffering. Today, the prognosis is excellent. Replacement therapy with adequate amounts of vitamin B12 will correct the deficiency and allow a person to lead a normal life.
If the condition progresses for a long time before it's detected, it may damage certain parts of the body, primarily the nervous and digestive systems. Gastric polyps may develop, which leads to a greater chance of developing gastric cancer. Vitamin B12 deficiency will affect the appearance of epithelial cells on the cervix, and an untreated woman may get a false positive result on a Pap test.
Alternative names for pernicious anemia are vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption), Addison's anemia, congenital pernicious anemia, and combined systems disease.
Causes of Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is needed for normal production of red blood cells. It is often hereditary. Risk factors include a history of autoimmune endocrine disorders, a family history of pernicious anemia, and Scandinavian or Northern European descent.
The meat and dairy products we eat are our primary sources of vitamin B12. However, except in strict vegetarians, pernicious anemia isn't simply caused by not eating enough of these foods. Usually, it is because of a failure in the complex process the digestive tract must go through to absorb vitamin B12.
In order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the small intestine, the cells that line a part of the stomach must produce a substance called intrinsic factor (IF). This substance attaches itself to vitamin B12, and both are absorbed in combination into the lowest portion of the small bowel (ileum), just before the small bowel enters the colon. If the ileum is damaged or removed in the course of surgery, the intrinsic factor/vitamin B12 combination will not be absorbed. People with conditions like Crohn's disease, who often have surgery to remove part of their ileum (the part of the small intestine where vitamin B12 is absorbed), should be screened for vitamin B12 deficiency and treated if needed.
Lack of intrinsic factor may also be congenital (present at birth). This form of pernicious anemia (called juvenile or congenital) is usually seen before a child is three years old. It is believed that only one parent needs to carry the gene for this disorder to pass it along to a child.
Less common causes of decreased B12 absorption include chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption syndromes, certain medications, and, very rarely, increased metabolism of B12 through longstanding hyperthyroidism. A very common cause of B12 deficiency in the elderly is inadequate absorption of dietary B12.
Pernicious anemia is often is also seen in combination with some autoimmune endocrine (gland) diseases such as type 1 diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, and testicular dysfunction.
Symptoms and Complications of Pernicious Anemia
In most cases, there are no early signs of pernicious anemia. As the disorder progresses, there may be shortness of breath and less endurance during exercise. A noticeable rapid heartbeat may also be evident. People with pernicious anemia often have very low hemoglobin but few symptoms of low hemoglobin, such as fatigue. Because the hemoglobin has decreased slowly over time, the person's body has gotten used to it. In contrast, with iron deficiency anemia, where the hemoglobin level drops more quickly and people are more likely to notice symptoms of low hemoglobin. Other symptoms that may develop include:
pale skin
a sore tongue
poor appetite and loss of weight
tingling and numbness of hands and feet
disturbed walking gait and balance (especially in the dark)
mental changes, including memory loss, irritability, mild depression, and dementia
yellow-blue colour blindness
If left untreated, the lack of vitamin B12 may gradually affect the sensory and motor nerves and cause neurological effects. The anemia can also affect the gastrointestinal system and cardiovascular systems, result in tongue problems, impair the sense of smell, and cause bleeding gums and the loss of deep tendon reflexes. In very advanced cases, paranoia, delirium, and confusion may also occur.
Pernicious anemia is a chronic disease that progresses slowly and steadily. In the past, before much was known about the disease and there was no treatment, it would eventually cause death after many years of suffering. Today, the prognosis is excellent. Replacement therapy with adequate amounts of vitamin B12 will correct the deficiency and allow a person to lead a normal life.
If the condition progresses for a long time before it's detected, it may damage certain parts of the body, primarily the nervous and digestive systems. Gastric polyps may develop, which leads to a greater chance of developing gastric cancer. Vitamin B12 deficiency will affect the appearance of epithelial cells on the cervix, and an untreated woman may get a false positive result on a Pap test.
Will genetic anemia cause any problem during pregnancy ?
Q. I am 8 weeks pregnant. My doctor said that I have genetic anemia which was tested from my blood work. But no iron/ hemoglobin deficiency and I do not have to take any iron supplements for it. Will genetic anemia cause any problem during pregnancy ? Can any one explain more about anemia in genes ?
A. visit this link it was especially about the pregnancy and for the pregnant ladies i hope it will help you for searching your answer.
www.medicaldepth.com
thanks for using answers.yahoo.com
www.medicaldepth.com
thanks for using answers.yahoo.com
is it effect birth and is there any qouncequances on my health during pregnancy?
Q. Hi,im Noor ,pregnant with my first child and i have anemia along with low plateletes about 53000 only and i didnt take any cure due to my pregnancy.what should i do, could it effect my birth?.
could it harm me during pregnancy?
please help.
thanks.
please i need a pro. opinion based on experience or medical advice.
could it harm me during pregnancy?
please help.
thanks.
please i need a pro. opinion based on experience or medical advice.
A. You need to take plenty of iron and vitamin C. It can cause heavy bleeding after birth and it can also make it very difficult to produce enough milk for the baby. Being too anemic could cause you to bleed to death.
What tests and things need to be done during a pregnancy and one year after giving birth?
Q. I am doing a project for school and I need to know the cost of having a baby. I would like to know what tests and vaccinations need to be done during pregnancy and one year after giving birth.
A. That is alot of info. I posted a link to baby center. I used that alot when I was pregnant. The link lists all the test by trimesters.
I am sure if you use this site it will help with all your questions for your project.
Here is how that starts and I ONLY listed the first trimester:
"First trimester tests"
At your first prenatal visit, your practitioner will give you a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam. She'll do a Pap smear (unless you've had one recently) to check for abnormal cells, including cervical cancer. She may also do a culture to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Next, she'll order routine blood tests to identify your blood type and Rh status, and a blood count to check for anemia. She'll also have the lab test your blood for syphilis, hepatitis B, and immunity to German measles (rubella), and offer to test for HIV. (If your practitioner doesn't offer you an HIV test, be sure to ask about it. Being treated for HIV during pregnancy can dramatically reduce your chances of passing the infection to your baby.) In addition to taking blood, she'll ask for a urine sample to test for urinary tract infections and other conditions.
If you're at high risk for gestational diabetes, a glucose challenge test might be done at your first visit. In some cases, your provider will also do a skin test to see if you've been exposed to tuberculosis. And if you're not sure whether you've even had chicken pox (or been vaccinated against the virus), she'll order a blood test to check for immunity.
In addition, your caregiver may offer you genetic screening, such as a nuchal translucency screening (an ultrasound done at 10 to 12 weeks) or a first-trimester combined screening (an ultrasound and a blood test). These screening tests can give you some information about your baby's risk of having certain chromosomal problems and other birth defects. Another option is CVS, a prenatal genetic diagnostic test done between 10 and 13 weeks. Finally, depending on your ethnic background and medical history, you may have a blood test to see if your baby is at risk for sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, and certain other genetic disorders. "
GOOD LUCK and I hope you get an A+
I am sure if you use this site it will help with all your questions for your project.
Here is how that starts and I ONLY listed the first trimester:
"First trimester tests"
At your first prenatal visit, your practitioner will give you a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam. She'll do a Pap smear (unless you've had one recently) to check for abnormal cells, including cervical cancer. She may also do a culture to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Next, she'll order routine blood tests to identify your blood type and Rh status, and a blood count to check for anemia. She'll also have the lab test your blood for syphilis, hepatitis B, and immunity to German measles (rubella), and offer to test for HIV. (If your practitioner doesn't offer you an HIV test, be sure to ask about it. Being treated for HIV during pregnancy can dramatically reduce your chances of passing the infection to your baby.) In addition to taking blood, she'll ask for a urine sample to test for urinary tract infections and other conditions.
If you're at high risk for gestational diabetes, a glucose challenge test might be done at your first visit. In some cases, your provider will also do a skin test to see if you've been exposed to tuberculosis. And if you're not sure whether you've even had chicken pox (or been vaccinated against the virus), she'll order a blood test to check for immunity.
In addition, your caregiver may offer you genetic screening, such as a nuchal translucency screening (an ultrasound done at 10 to 12 weeks) or a first-trimester combined screening (an ultrasound and a blood test). These screening tests can give you some information about your baby's risk of having certain chromosomal problems and other birth defects. Another option is CVS, a prenatal genetic diagnostic test done between 10 and 13 weeks. Finally, depending on your ethnic background and medical history, you may have a blood test to see if your baby is at risk for sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, and certain other genetic disorders. "
GOOD LUCK and I hope you get an A+
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment