UTSW Special Populations: Pediatric / Children With Special Health Care Needs

Inherited disease of the exocrine glands. Glands become obstructed and produce excess secretions. S/S copious amounts of thick sputum - chronic hypoxia - salty skin - digestive problems - pancreatic enzymes must be taken with meals - the lungs are the most affected by the disease.

Occurs prenatally or at time of birth. Charactized by impaired voluntary movement - normal mentation. Caused by birth trauma, prenatal (around the time of birth) hypoxia and prematurity.

Prehospital emergencies are often related to heart problems. Other common problems assiciated with these people are Thyroid problems, hearing and vision problems decreased life expectancy, susceptibility to leukemia.

Muscle disorder - muscle weakness and progressive degeneration. S/S waddling gate, "toe walking", respiratory difficulties due to muscle weakness are common pre-hospital emergencies. 90 % will have abnormal ECG - mild intellectual impairment.

Abnormal accumulation of CSF usually under pressure in the cranial vault causing it to be enlarged. Two types: "Obstructive" and "Communicating". Most patients will have a VP shunt which is the cause of most of the pre-hospital emergencies. The presence of this shunt can cause infections. S/S can be increasing ICP.

Congenital abnormality in which the vertebrae do not completely develop resulting in an exposed spinal cord.

A: Pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect (VSD) A hole between the two bottom chambers (ventricles) of the heart right ventricular hypertrophy.