Archive for the ‘Pediatric’ Category

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is an inherited condition that is characterized as the inability to digest a certain sugar known as sucrose. This condition is autosomal recessive, meaning for a child to have this disease both parents have to carry the affected gene. Because of a lack of certain enzymes, those affected by this deficiency are not able to digest sucrose properly. Sucrose is a sugar that is found in most foods ranging from candy and ice cream to fruit juice and breads. Infants who have a congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency will not show any symptoms until they are transitioned to foods that contain sucrose.

The most common symptoms of an intolerance to sucrose are chronic diarrhea and stomach pain. Repeated consumption of sucrose can eventually lead to further malabsorption issues, weight loss, infections, and failure to thrive in children. Affected children may be diagnosed with an intolerance to gluten or milk before sucrose is suspected.

Congenital sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency Can be Misdiagnosed

There are several different ways that congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency can be diagnosed. One of the most common ways is to perform a simple sucrose breath test. A breath test, however, is not the most accurate way to diagnose this condition and further testing may be needed. A small bowel biopsy can be performed to confirm a sucrase-isomaltase deficiency diagnosis.

The severity of this condition varies from person to person. Some can handle a glass of juice or piece of cake with little discomfort, while for others the affects are devastating. Traditionally, the only way that patients with a severe form of this deficiency could manage their condition was to follow a strict sucrose-free diet. It is of little surprise that compliance with a sucrose-free diet is very low. While there is currently no cure for individuals with this disease, fortunately there is a pharmacological treatment that can replace the missing enzymes.

We know for a fact that we experience hiccuping every now and then. Hiccups may be annoying due to their repetitive nature and the attention-grabbing sound they make, but we are very much aware that they just stop after a few minutes. Hence, hiccups do need any treatment at all. However, some people have experienced hiccuping for several days or even weeks. These hiccups may be characterized as chronic due to their severity and persistence. Because of their probable association with a serious illness, chronic hiccups need medical attention. In fact, it is the time that hiccups are suppressed with the administration a particular drug, usually sedatives that would render the person either unconscious or highly lethargic.

Now, people might ask if hiccups in newborns could also be characterized as chronic, which must be given medical attention. The answer is no. Yes, hiccups in newborns occur at regular intervals, and in fact more often than in adults or infants. However, there is nothing life-threatening about frequent hiccups in newborns. According to the experts, babies actually start hiccuping while they are still inside their mothers’ womb as early as six months from conception. But as long as the hiccups do not interfere with the newborn’s sleep and feeding, there is no need to take your baby to the pediatrician. Why the frequency of hiccups in newborns is higher has probably got to do with the relative immaturity of their internal organs. Others even believe that the newborns might be actually wondering why the rest of the people around them do not hiccup as much as they do. One thing is for sure, though. As your baby grows, both the intensity and frequency of their hiccups are reduced.

There is, however, some similarity with what causes hiccups in adults and newborns. Usually with hiccups in adults, swallowing of air due to overeating or overdrinking is implicated. On the other hand, a newborn hiccups usually after feed or whenever he or she gets excited.