What is Ectopia cordis?

ectopia cordis is an extremely rare innate malformation of the heart that remains very difficult to treat. The occurrence is 0.79 in every 10,000 births. In ectopia Cordis, the heart is formed outside the thoracic wall, so it is not protected by the skin or thoracic bone. Other organs could also be formed out of the skin.

In order to further complicate this difficult presentation, the heart itself is generally incorrectly created. It may also have defects such as Fallot tetralogy, pulmonary atresia, atrial and ventricular septal defects or a double output right chamber. Together with heart malformations, children with ectopia cordis can also have clefts. The spine can also be created incorrectly, causing kyphosis, too much curvature C in the thoracic spine.

There is some thin evidence that ectopia Cordis may be related to Turner's syndrome. Chromosomal anomalies, such as trisomy 18, were also observed in some children with cordis ectopia. In general, however, the non -delayed cause of this condition. One way it canE be calming for parents who had a child with ectopia cordis. Unlikely that future children would repeat the condition.

Unfortunately, most cases of ectopia cordis result in birth or death shortly after birth. Several cases of Ektopie Cordis have been successfully treated, but this defect still represents the biggest challenge and failure in children's cardiotorack surgeons.

Most cases of ectopia cordis are identified by a routine prenatal ultrasound. If the case is suspected, the mother will be transferred to a pediatric or fetal echocardiologist who confirms the diagnosis. In order to give the child the best possible chance of survival, the child is born in the Hospital Level 3, where there are experienced pediatric cardiologists and surgeons at hand to solve the problems immediately. Birth can be vaginal or emperor, as noted by a high -risk obstetrician.

parents who receive inclinedAssou diagnosis of ectopia cordis, have the opportunity to evoke work in time or have a therapeutic abortion. Parents who choose the induced work expect mortality but can find comfort in the natural birth of a child who have a chance to see and hold the child and say goodbye. Other parents prefer to end the child's life without holding or seeing it. They consider this option less painful than continuing in pregnancy. This difficult decision should be carefully considered using a qualified advisor.

6 In most cases, cardiotoracal surgeons try to repair heart defects before covering the heart and organs with prosthetic skin. Unfortunately, the valves leading to the heart, once replaced inside the thoracic wall, can break and cause death. A huge number of congenital defects in a child with cordis ectopia can also prevent repair and parents can simply decide to do nothing, call themselves compassionate care rather than to submit serious medical interventions with little hope nAnd success.

Those parents who choose treatment may feel the feeling of relief, even if the treatment fails. Treatment can offer parents the feeling that they have done everything to save their child. With any possibility, the child's death is a serious emotional burden. Searching for help from organizations such as hospice and working with grief advisors can help over time with stunning feelings of loss.

Although very rare, the treatment of ectopia cordis clearly needs more research to improve the result. Fetal surgery is still relatively new, but an attempt to repair before birth can be beneficial, and this should be studied for potential value.