Contents
Hypoplasia is a condition in which an organ is underdeveloped and may be caused by genetic defects. Hypoplasia can affect various parts of the human body, such as the lungs, thyroid gland, heart, but also the limbs, face and even enamel. How is hypoplasia and how is it diagnosed?
Kidney hypoplasia
As for renal hypoplasia, the condition can be detected as early as around the 6th month of pregnancy. This type of defect is manifested by an impairment of the proper development of the kidneys consisting in a weakening of the growth rate of this organ. Due to the fact that the development of the kidneys is not efficient enough, this organ cannot fulfill its functions in XNUMX%. The symptoms of kidney hypoplasia are very difficult to spot as they usually do not show any characteristic symptoms. If the ailment concerns one kidney, then treatment is usually based on the removal of the diseased organ, as long as the other kidney is, of course, completely healthy and efficient. On the other hand, if both kidneys are affected by hypoplasia, treatment is virtually impossible. A person in such a situation should be under constant medical supervision, as bilateral renal hypoplasia is a directly life-threatening condition.
Left heart hypoplasia
Left heart hypoplasia is a condition in which there is insufficient development of the left ventricle of this organ. It is a birth defect that occurs in the womb. It consists in pumping blood around the child’s body bypassing the pulmonary circulation, despite the overall normal development of the fetus. Blood circulation and thus the distribution of oxygen within the child’s body is possible due to the existence of the so-called Botalla’s duct, which is the connection between the descending aorta and the pulmonary trunk. This organ becomes overgrown immediately after birth and therefore its closure prevents the spread of oxygenated blood throughout the body. Hypoplasia of the left heart in a newborn child requires prompt medical intervention, which consists in carrying out a cardiac surgery.
Lung hypoplasia
Lung hypoplasia usually develops, like other types of hypoplasia, in utero. It can develop within one lobe of the lung as well as in one or the entire organ. It results in impaired development of the lung parenchyma and the bronchial vessels. Typical symptoms of lung hypoplasia are cirrhosis and an organ spreading infection. Regarding the treatment of lung hypoplasia, this involves surgical removal of the lesion. Resection of the lesion does not always lead to full recovery.
Cerebellar hypoplasia
The insufficient development of the structure located in the back part of the brain, i.e. the cerebellum, does not have to affect the entire organ at once. Cerebellar hypoplasia may affect only one hemisphere or structure that is located in its central part – the worm. This element is responsible for maintaining an upright body posture as well as proper coordination and coherence of movements. Worm-related cerebellar hypoplasia is the most common condition of this type. This is an extremely rare genetic defect that could very well be caused by an infection in the womb. If an infection is the cause of cerebellar hypoplasia, it is cytomegalovirus infection most often. However, the cause of hypoplasia of this organ may also be teratogenic factors, e.g. the use of certain medications by the mother during pregnancy. Typical symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia include: nystagmus, ataxia, headaches, dizziness, difficulty in maintaining body balance, and sometimes mental retardation. Cerebellar hypoplasia may also be one of the symptoms of congenital syndromes such as Walker-Warburg syndrome and Dandy-Walker syndrome of the hindbrain.
Frontal sinus hypoplasia
The sinuses, especially the frontal part, can also be insufficiently educated. This type of hypoplasia often does not require treatment, as long as the changes are not severe enough to cause any symptoms. However, usually frontal sinus hypoplasia favors more frequent infections in the pneumatic spaces of the forehead. In such cases, it is necessary to undertake laryngological treatment consisting of pharmacological therapy, warming up the area of the frontal sinuses, and special hygiene of the upper respiratory tract. Sometimes frontal sinus hypoplasia requires slightly more invasive treatment methods, such as puncture, which involves removing excess inflammatory mucus that accumulates in the sinus and hinders its proper functioning.