NEONATAL TETANY Meaning and
Definition
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Neonatal tetany is a medical condition primarily affecting newborn infants that is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms due to low levels of calcium in the blood. The term "neonatal" refers to the period immediately after birth, while "tetany" describes the muscle spasms that occur in this condition.
In neonatal tetany, the reduced levels of calcium disrupt the normal functioning of the muscles and nerves, leading to symptoms such as twitching, stiffness, and jitteriness. Affected infants often exhibit unusual facial expressions, hand and foot flexion, and arching of the back. Severe cases can cause difficulty in breathing, feeding problems, and even seizures.
The condition usually arises due to insufficient levels of calcium in the blood, which can occur as a result of various factors. These include maternal calcium deficiencies during pregnancy, prematurity, maternal diabetes, and inadequate vitamin D levels. Neonatal tetany may also result from an inherited disorder called hypoparathyroidism, where the parathyroid glands fail to produce sufficient parathyroid hormone, crucial for regulating calcium levels.
Diagnosis of neonatal tetany involves assessing symptoms, measuring blood calcium levels, and conducting other laboratory tests. Treatment aims to restore and maintain normal calcium levels. This may involve providing calcium and vitamin D supplements, as well as ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration. In severe cases, hospitalization and administration of intravenous calcium may be necessary.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and guarantee the optimal development of the infant's nervous system and muscles. With appropriate management, neonatal tetany can usually be effectively treated, leading to a complete recovery.
Common Misspellings for NEONATAL TETANY
- beonatal tetany
- meonatal tetany
- jeonatal tetany
- heonatal tetany
- nwonatal tetany
- nsonatal tetany
- ndonatal tetany
- nronatal tetany
- n4onatal tetany
- n3onatal tetany
- neinatal tetany
- neknatal tetany
- nelnatal tetany
- nepnatal tetany
- ne0natal tetany
- ne9natal tetany
- neobatal tetany
- neomatal tetany
- neojatal tetany
- neohatal tetany
Etymology of NEONATAL TETANY
The word "neonatal" originated from the Greek words "neon" meaning "newborn" and "natalis" meaning "birth". It is used to describe the period immediately after birth.
The term "tetany" is derived from the Greek word "tetanos", which means "spasms" or "tension". It refers to a medical condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "neonatal tetany" combines the Greek words for "newborn" and "birth" with the term for involuntary muscle contractions, indicating a condition that occurs in newborns characterized by muscle spasms and tension.
