DELAYED SEPARATION OF UMBILICAL CORD

DELAYED SEPARATION OF UMBILICAL CORD

There is no standard definition of delayed cord separation, probably due to the variations seen in normal cord separation.
Separation of the cord beyond 3-4 weeks of age is generally considered to be significantly delayed.

Conditions that are associated with delayed separation of the umbilical cord include:

1.    Prematurity
2.   low birthweight,
3.   administration of topical antimicrobial agents: Topical antimicrobials and/or isopropyl alcohol are usually applied after delivery. Studies have shown longer time to separation of the cord with use of antiseptic topical agents such as chlorhexidine, 70% alcohol, and triple dye.
4.  systemic antibiotics for neonatal infections
5.  delivery by cesarean route
6.   infections
7.    immune disorders including leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 &3
8.    omphalomesenteric and urachal remnants 
9.    infants with delayed cord separation and presentation of omphalitis or skin infections should be investigated for immunologic disorders, including leukocyte adhesion deficiency.
10.    Factor 13 deficiency.
11.  Hypothyrodism
    

Investigations:

SEPARATION OF UMBILICAL CORD

SEPARATION OF UMBILICAL CORD

The mechanism of cord separation is not fully understood.

After the umbilical cord is cut and clamped, cord separation is thought to be initiated by thrombosis and contraction of the umbilical vessels. 

This is followed by granulocyte- and phagocyte-mediated necrosis, collagenous degeneration, and infarction of the cord tissue.
 

EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE UMBILICAL CORD

 EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE UMBILICAL CORD

At 3 weeks’ gestation, the developing embryo is connected to the chorion by a connective stalk, which contains the developing umbilical vessels and allantois. The primitive gut develops from the yolk sac and is connected, along with vitelline vessels, to the extracoelomic part via the vitelline duct.

As the embryo grows, the amniotic cavity expands, drawing the connective stalk and vitelline duct together with proteoglycan-rich Wharton jelly to form the primitive umbilical cord.

By the 9th week of gestation, the vitelline duct involutes, whereas the allantois obliterates by the 5th month into the urachus, a fibrous structure that connects the urinary bladder to the umbilicus, to leave behind the umbilical cord composed of 2 umbilical arteries and a single umbilical vein supported by Wharton jelly.

Failure of obliteration of allantois and/or the omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) or vessels either completely or partially can lead to congenital disorders of the umbilical cord.

- Lung Function Abnormalities in Bronchial Asthma.

Lung Function Abnormalities in Bronchial Asthma.

Spirometry (in clinic):

• Airflow limitation
• Low FEV1 (relative to percentage of predicted norms)
• FEV1:FVC ratio< 0.80

Bronchodilator response (to inhaled β-agonist):
o Improvement in FEV1 ≥12% and ≥200 mL
Exercise challenge: Worsening in FEV1 ≥15%
Daily peak flow or FEV1 monitoring: day to day and/or A.M.-to-P.M .variation ≥20%.

Ibrahim Samaha

- Understanding Bronchial Asthma Triggers.

 Understanding Bronchial Asthma Triggers.

1. Allergens: 

• Allergen exposures in sensitized individuals can initiate airways inflammation and hypersensitivity to other irritant exposures, and are strongly linked to disease severity and persistence. 
• Consequently, eliminating the offending allergen(s) can lead to resolution of asthma symptoms and can sometimes cure asthma.

- Infantile Colic.

Infantile Colic

• The conventional definition of colic is the Wessel’s "Rule of three" which mandates an otherwise healthy baby "important word" with crying spells that occur for at least 3 h a day, 3 times a wk for 3 consecutive weeks and These infants are typically healthy and thriving well.
• The recently modified definition includes all of the following:

1.  Paroxysms of irritability, fussing or crying that occur without a cause
2. Episodes lasting 3 or more hours per day and occurring at least 3 d per week for at least 1 wk.
3. Absence of failure to thrive.

- Organic Causes of Excessive Crying in infancy.

Organic Causes of Excessive Crying in infancy

Organic diseases account for 5 to 10% of infants presenting with incessant crying.
1.CNS:
– CNS abnormality (Chiari type 1)
– Infantile migraine
– ↑ICP (trauma, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, Mass)
– Seizure
– Meningitis
– Encephalitis
2. Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat:
– Choanal atresia
– Otitis externa
– Otitis media
– Corneal abrasion
– Glaucoma
– Teething
– Gingivostomatitis
– Thrush
– Foreign body
3.Cardiac:
– Tachyarrhythmia e.g SVT
– myocarditis,
– congestive cardiac failure
4.GI:
– Constipation
– Cow’s milk protein intolerance
– GERD
– Lactose intolerance
– Gastrointestinal obstruction (intussusception, volvulus, pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung disease)
– Anal fissure
– Strangulated Hernia
– Abdominal trauma
– Peritonitis 
5.Respiratory:
– Airway obstruction (croup, foreign body)
– Upper respiratory tract infection
– Lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia, bronchiolitis)
6. Genitourinary System:
– Testicular torsion
– Ovarian torsion
– Urinary tract infection
– Tight phimosis
7.Musculoskeletal system:
– Infection ( septic arthritis, Osteomyelitis)
– Fracture limbs.
– Others—pulled elbow, caffey’s disease
8.Skin:
– Cellulitis
– Impetigo
– Tourniquet syndrome (extremities, penis, clitoris)
– Dermatitis (e.g Napkin)
– Insect bites
– Minor injury
9.Other causes:
– Narcotic Withdrawal Syndrome
– Drugs (ephedrine, amphetamine, clonezepam, antihistaminics)
– Vaccine reaction
– Inborn error of metabolism
– Sepsis
– Sickle cell crisis
– Physical abuse