Brain atrophy is a syndrome of brain tissue shrinking due to the loss of brain cells or the destruction of nerve connections. The disease can occur while still in the womb or after birth due to many different causes. Brain atrophy in infants will directly affect the health, thinking ability and activities of the child, even leaving dangerous complications.
1. Brain atrophy in infants
Brain atrophy is a syndrome of brain tissue shrinking due to the loss of brain cells or the destruction of nerve connections. The main cause is due to malformations while still in the womb, affecting the entire brain structure or only affecting the nerve areas where brain cells have been lost. In addition, cases of congenital brain atrophy are mainly caused by the Zika virus transmitted to the mother during pregnancy by intermediate transmission from the Aedes mosquito. In addition, factors that increase the risk of brain atrophy in infants are:
- Premature birth;
- The mother works in a polluted environment, often exposed to toxic chemicals during pregnancy;
- Genetic factors such as grandparents, parents with depression, ...
Symptoms of brain atrophy in infants vary depending on the affected brain area. In cases of total brain atrophy, all of the child's life activities are dependent. The child needs lifelong care because he cannot control his life. Some typical symptoms of brain atrophy include:
- Memory loss;
- Seizures;
- Poor motor control or loss of motor ability.
2. Is brain atrophy in infants dangerous?
Brain atrophy in infants will directly affect the child's ability to function the nervous system such as thinking ability, cognitive ability, etc. Children with brain atrophy will have difficulty communicating, acquiring knowledge, activities, slow reactions, etc. In many other cases, children with brain atrophy have seizures and have difficulty controlling their behavior.
In addition, dangerous consequences that brain atrophy can cause for children include:
- Disorders of consciousness;
- Cognitive disorders;
- Memory loss;
- Hemiplegia.
Children with congenital brain atrophy will often be accompanied by other congenital malformations such as hearing and vision disabilities, etc., directly affecting the ability to hear, see, communicate, and integrate into the community. In severe cases, children may be at high risk of death due to the cessation of brain functions.
3. Prevention of brain atrophy in infants
Brain atrophy in infants is a form of physical defect and there is no radical treatment. Currently, the treatment of brain atrophy in infants mainly supports and controls neurological defects as well as overcomes language and motor limitations in children.
Therefore, prevention of brain atrophy in infants is very important and is carried out from the time the child is still in the womb. During pregnancy, pregnant women need to:
- Supplement adequate nutrition;
- Strengthen health and immune system by doing gentle exercises suitable for pregnant women;
- Maintain a relaxed spirit;
- Minimize exposure to chemicals such as hair dye, nail polish, working in toxic environments, cigarette smoke, etc.
- Get full vaccination.
In summary, brain atrophy in infants is a syndrome of brain tissue shrinkage due to the loss of brain cells or the destruction of nerve connections, leaving physical defects that directly affect the child's ability to think and function. Therefore, during pregnancy, the mother needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regularly check the fetus to detect abnormalities in the child early.
To protect the child's health, parents should breastfeed their baby exclusively for the first 6 months (if possible) and vaccinate on schedule. As soon as the child shows symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, and crying, the child should be taken to the hospital for specialist advice, monitoring, and treatment. The Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital system is the address to receive and examine diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children, ... With a system of modern facilities and medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of spreading disease, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by experts in the industry with:
- Gathering a team of doctors in Pediatrics: including experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, masters), rich in experience, having worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors are all well-trained, professional, dedicated - knowledgeable, understanding of children's psychology. In addition to domestic pediatricians, the Pediatrics Department also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens.
- Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Infants to Pediatrics and Vaccines,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their children's health from birth to adulthood.
- Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to help treat difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effectively: neurosurgery - cranial, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in cancer treatment.
- Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them play comfortably and get used to the hospital environment, cooperate in treatment, and improve the effectiveness of medical examination and treatment.
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