Aarskog syndrome 02/05/2008
Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance of the face. Inherited means that it is passed down through families.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder. It affects mainly males, but females may have a milder form. The condition is caused by changes (mutations) in a gene called "faciogenital dysplasia" (FGDY1).
Symptoms: Belly button that sticks out Bulge in the groin or scrotum (inguinal hernia ) Delayed sexual maturation Delayed teeth Downward palpebral slant to eyes Hairline with a "widow's peak" Mildly sunken chest ( pectus excavatum ) Mild to moderate mental problems Mild to moderate short stature which may not be obvious until the child is 1 - 3 years old Poorly developed midportion of the face Rounded face "Shawl" scrotum , testicles that have not come down (undescended) Short fingers and toes with mild webbing Single crease in palm of hand Small, broad hands and feet with short fingers and curved-in 5th finger Small nose with nostrils tipped forward Top portion of the ear folded over slightly Wide groove above the upper lip, crease below the lower lip Wide-set eyes with droopy eyelids
Signs and tests: Genetic testing for mutations in the FGDY1 gene X-rays
Treatment: Moving the teeth (orthodontic treatment) may be done for some of the abnormal facial features.
Aase syndrome 07/02/2007
Aase-Smith syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Most cases of Aase syndrome occur without a known reason and are not passed down through families (inherited). However, some cases have been shown to be inherited as an autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive traitn. The anemia associated with Aase syndrome is caused by underdevelopment of the bone marrow, which is where blood cells are formed.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm 08/28/2008
Aneurysm - aortic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include: Emphysema Genetic factors High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Male gender Smoking An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors.
ABO incompatibility 05/13/2008
ABO incompatibility is a reaction of the immune system that occurs if two different and not compatible blood types are mixed together.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: A, B, and O are the three major blood types. The types are based on small substances (molecules) on the surface of the blood cells. In people who have different blood types, these molecules act as immune system triggers (antigens). Each person has a combination of two of these surface molecules.
Abortion - complete 08/17/2007
Complete abortion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Symptoms:
Signs and tests:
Treatment: This type of abortion usually does not need medical help.
Support Groups:
Expectations (prognosis):
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Prevention:
Review Date: 8/17/2007 Reviewed By: Melanie N.
Abortion - elective or therapeutic 09/19/2006
Therapeutic abortion; Elective abortion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Elective abortions are those initiated by personal choice. Roughly 20% of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in elective abortion. It has been reported that since abortion was legalized in 1973 through 2002, over 42 million legal abortions have been performed.
Abortion - incomplete 11/08/2006
Incomplete abortion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Symptoms: Typical symptoms include vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal cramping.
Signs and tests:
Treatment: In most cases, a surgical procedure called curettage is done to remove the remaining material from the uterus.
Abortion - infected 11/08/2006
Infected miscarriage
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: An infected abortion may occur if parts of the fetal or placental tissue stay in the uterus after an incomplete abortion.
Symptoms: Fever Vaginal bleeding Cramping
Signs and tests:
Treatment:
Support Groups:
Expectations (prognosis):
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Prevention:
Review Date: 11/8/2006 Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abortion - threatened 08/17/2007
Threatened miscarriage; Threatened spontaneous abortion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: A small number of pregnant women have some vaginal bleeding , with or without abdominal cramps, during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is known as a threatened abortion. Most of these pregnancies go on to term with or without treatment.
Abscess 08/12/2008
An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body that is surrounded by swelling (inflammation).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body's immune system tries to fight it. White blood cells move through the walls of the blood vessels into the area of the infection and collect within the damaged tissue. During this process, pus forms. Pus is the build up of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances.
