RACK 5 EMBRYOLOGY AND APPLIED ANATOYMY

Kidneys in children perform vital functions—filtering waste, regulating blood pressure, and balancing fluids/electrolytes—but are susceptible to congenital, genetic, or acquired diseases. Common issues include structural birth defects, infections, or nephrotic syndrome, often diagnosed via prenatal scans or symptoms like poor growth and abnormal urination. 

KidsHealth +4

A child’s liver is a crucial organ, roughly the size of an apple in young children, responsible for filtering toxins, aiding digestion, storing energy as glycogen, and clotting blood. Pediatric liver issues can arise from genetics, infections, or diet, often presenting as jaundice, fatigue, or pale stools. 

Key Aspects of Kids' Liver Health

A child's heart and lungs work together to circulate blood and oxygen, with a heart rate that decreases from up to 150 bpm in infants to roughly 90 bpm in older children. Located in the chest, the heart pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen, which then circulates through the body. Key differences in children include higher heart rates and smaller lung capacities. 

Anencephaly is a severe, fatal neural tube defect occurring when the neural tube fails to close (usually 23–26 days after conception), resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. This lethal condition occurs in approximately 1 in 4,600 to 10,000 U.S. births, often resulting in miscarriage or death within hours/days of birth. 

Wikipedia +4

What is hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is the abnormal buildup of fluid within your brain. Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek words “hydro,” which means water, and “cephalus,” which means head. Hydrocephalus was once known as “water on the brain.” The “water” is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — a clear, colorless fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

An omphalocele is a congenital abdominal wall defect where a fetus's intestines, liver, or other organs protrude outside the belly through the umbilical cord, covered by a thin, transparent sac. It occurs when the abdominal wall fails to close properly during development (6–10 weeks). Often diagnosed via prenatal ultrasound (12-20 weeks), this condition, affecting 1.8–3.38 per 10,000 births, frequently associates with chromosomal anomalies (trisomies 13, 18, 21), Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, or heart defects

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Key Aspects of Fetal Omphalocele:

What is anencephaly?

Anencephaly is a birth defect (congenital disorder) where a baby is born without parts of their brain and skull.

Anencephaly is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp that occurs during embryonic development.[1] It is a cephalic disorder that results from a

What is the placenta?

The placenta is a temporary organ that connects the fetus to your uterus during pregnancy. The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta. Together, they make it possible for your body’s nutrients to support the growth of the fetus.

The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy. Find out what the placenta does, issues that might affect it and how it is delivered.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

March 08, 2024

If you're pregnant, you might wonder what exactly the placenta is, what it does and what might affect it. Here's what you need to know about this important organ.