Abstract
This paper explains that congenital cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of hearing loss, generally sensorineural hearing loss,and brain damage in children. The author points out that nearly half of the infants born with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection develop a hearing loss; but this hearing loss does not develop until later (late-onset hearing loss), which suggests that babies born with congenital cytomegalovirus should have their hearing consistently monitored. This paper relates that, as yet, there is no vaccine against human cytomegalovirus, but there are methods of management and treatment, which prevent infection and reactivation of infection or suppress and preempt current infection.

From the Paper
"Human congenital cytomegalovirus is the most common intrauterine infection and can be present in three forms; latent, non-productive yet asymptomatic, or productive and symptomatic. Cytomegalovirus is also the largest member of the herpes virus family. This is because it is common for hearing loss and other symptoms of the virus to occur later in life after infancy, as the virus is a member of the betaherpesviridae family where slow growth of the virus is common. Ninety-five percent of infants born with the Cytomegalovirus infection appear normal. It can infect both humans and animals. This virus can be transmitted through oropharyngeal secretions, urine, cervical and vaginal secretions, spermatic fluids, breast milk and blood, and is usually transmitted to a fetus by transplacental means. The studies mentioned in this paper focus strictly on human congenital cytomegalovirus."

Tags:audiology, treatment, late-onset, herpes, monitor

Abstract
This paper discusses congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It begins by defining CAH and describing the developmental and physical conditions that are associated with the disorder. The paper then describes possible surgical interventions to correct any abnormalities and discusses the arguments for and against such procedures from a legal, ethical and social perspective.

Table of Contents:
Physical and Developmental
Medical and Surgical
Legal
Social, Psychological, Counseling
Ethical

From the Paper
"Some sectors have severely objected to reshaping the genitals of underage children and the ethics of genital surgery, calling it mutilation rather than mere circumcision, repair or corrective surgery (Glass 2004). They deplored all genital cutting of children, regardless of gender, religion and local custom and urged that the rights of women and intersex people be protected. It was not just the ethics but the effectiveness of the surgical procedure, which has been questioned. Little data could neither support the adequacy of such a procedure, according to Dr. Cathy Minto of the University College London Hospitals (Johnson 2001). Her team studied 44 teen girls who underwent reconstructive genital surgery in childhood and found that 43 required further intervention for function or cosmetic purposes. Since the late 70s, female CAH infants have been subjected to surgery to feminize them by reducing the size of their clitoris in order to normalize the appearance of their genitalia. Dr. Sarah Creighton, a gynecologist consultant at the hospital questioned the need for the surgery before puberty when small girls do not use vaginas. She believed that clitoral surgery should be postponed when the girl is older and can think about the issue herself (Johnson). As things stood, clitoral surgery deprived the patient of the capacity for orgasm."

Tags:cosmetic, genitalia, mutilation, homosexual

Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth description of congenital cataract. According to the paper, this condition is an opacity in the eye lenses observed in new-born babies. It is one of the main causes of partial and complete blindness in children. Aphakic glaucoma is a vision-threatening complication of cataract surgery. The paper focuses on glaucoma as a consequence of cataract surgery in children.

From the Paper
"Congenital cataract is an opacity in the eye lenses observed in new-born babies. It is one of the main causes of partial and complete blindness in children. Aphakic glaucoma is a vision-threatening complication of cataract surgery. The paper focuses on glaucoma as a consequence of cataract surgery in children."

Tags:pediatric, aphakic, glaucoma

Abstract
This paper provides a brief look at what a congenital abnormality is, the different types such as dwarfism and cleft lip and then discusses the various causes behind these disorders such as genetics, medication and drugs.

From the Paper
"There are many types of congenital disorders, for example: dwarfism, conjoined twins, deformed or missing limbs, misshapen body parts etc. The cleft lip deformity is the most common congenital deformity seen in the United States. Some of these deformities can be rectified by undergoing a series of plastic surgeries and intensive physical therapy. On average, a person born with a cleft lip needs to undergo approximately 7 operations on their lip over a wide period of time. It is always important for a baby born with a physical deformity to have a thorough evaluation from a dysmorphologist (someone who specializes in genetic related disorders) and a pediatrician familiar with congenital disorders. Most babies are born healthy. "

Tags:biology, disabled, disease, disorder, humans, cleft, lip

Abstract
This paper addresses the topic of congenital brain defects, a group of disorders of brain development.

Abstract
Short Stature is defined as the condition of children with a height that is equal to or greater than 3 standard deviations (SD) below the mean height for age. This paper focuses on the congenital type of the disease. The papers discusses signs and symptoms of congenital short stature before moving on to the origins and causes of the disease. Some of the causes discussed are normal variants, endocrine and non-endocrine. Finally, the paper discusses treatment and intervention for a twelve-year old patient.

From the Paper
"Taking for example the treatment with growth hormone therapy, it has been found that the therapy involves injecting growth hormones to the patient. Derived from DNA recombinant technology, the growth hormones have been found to be most effective when administered on a daily basis, rather than with gaps in between injections. Hence, the ideal condition would be to administer injections on a daily basis, and families and care takers must ensure that the patient is injected everyday. The growth hormone therapy, though found to be effective, also has side effects that are often associated with the doses of the hormones. Excessive amounts of growth hormones can bring about diabetic type symptoms with increased blood sugar levels. Other probable side effects noted include excessive growth of soft tissues of the body, including heart muscles leading to the development of heart disease. (Fennoy, 2003)"

Tags:skeletal, dysplasias, endocrinology, pubertal, growth

Abstract
The thyroid is a small gland that lies just under the skin below the Adam's apple in the neck. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland cannot produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. This paper will look at congenital hypothyroidism - the form of hypothyroidism present at birth

From the Paper
"The thyroid is a small gland that lies just under the skin below the Adam's apple in the neck. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland cannot produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. This paper will look at congenital hypothyroidism - the form of hypothyroidism present at birth.

The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones which control the speed at which the body's chemical functions proceed. Thyroid hormones control the metabolic rate by stimulating almost every tissue in the body to produce proteins, and by increasing the amount of oxygen that cells use. The thyroid gland needs iodine to function correctly, and this is obtained from the diet. Thyroid hormone production is controlled by a feedback mechanism via the pituitary gland (Berkow, Beers & Fletcher, 1997). First the hypothalamus, located in the brain just above ..."

Abstract
Scientific discussion of external factors that might affect pregnancy and foster congenital birth defects in newborns. Prenatal development. Effect of pharmaceuticals, legal chemical substances, alcohol, narcotics & tobacco use by women on pregnancy. Effect of absence of essential nutrients such as Zinc. Cites several other causes of congenital birth defects. Variables. Problem of serious diseases of pregnant women & necessary drugs.

From the Paper
"This research examines the phenomenon of teratogens, or factors external to the physical experience of pregnancy, during the period of gestation, which may affect pregnancy outcomes by fostering congenital birth defects in newborns. The research will set forth the clinical context in which teratogenic agents achieve relevance for the course of pregnancy in the modern period, and then discuss the impact that concern about teratogens may have on efficient and prudent pregnancy management.


On the face of things, the generally accepted definition of a teratogen would appear to be straightforwardly informative. Mosby's initially defines a teratogen as "any substance, agent, or process that interferes with normal prenatal development, causing the formation of one or more developmental abnormalities in the fetus" (Teratogen, 1998, p. 89). However, amplification of the..."

Abstract
In this paper the author examines the life of Kyle Maynard who was born a congenital amputee. The author looks at the courage that Maynard faced despite adversity at every stage. Maynard did not let the fact that he was different from other kids get in the way of his sporting achievements and he became a top wrestler. The author relates many aspects of Maynard's life as a definition of courage as he sees it. In particular he looks at how Maynard forced himself to play football as a child and wrestled despite the glaring differences to other children. The author clearly believes that Maynard is not a disabled man because disabled people have limitations that prevent them from completing routine functions, but Maynard does not fail to complete anything. He believes that Maynard is an innovator. A man that has found the courage to face fear, and develop new ways to accomplish the same challenges as any other person, with his own unique approach. The author concludes with his belief that Maynard is the epitome of what courage stands for.

From the Paper
"Kyle is courageous, but not because he participated in football and wrestling. Thousands of people play sports every year. Certainly there is inherent pressure, but that alone does not make one courageous. What makes Kyle courageous is that he played both sports in the face of cynicism from outside forces. Despite his obvious and glaring physical shortcomings, he went out and performed at a high level. That despite the fact that he could not walk, run or throw, he played football, a sport that cherishes those very abilities. That in the face of a seventeen match losing streak, he found his way to the mat for that eighteenth match, and somewhere inside himself overcame his disability, to prove that in fact he had no disability."

Tags:unique, individual, judgement, legs, arms, will, determination, disability

Abstract
"Cystic Fibrosis: The Facts" is a comprehensive, informative and well-written book about the disease and its treatments. The paper explains how authors, Ann Harris and Maurice Super address the book to a general audience, making the book extremely accessible to laypeople. The paper first discusses the book, chapter by chapter and then provides an overview of this congenital disease that mainly affects the digestive and respiratory systems. The paper discusses the causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease, using Harris and Super's book as a reference.

From the Paper
"Newborn babies diagnosed with cystic fibrosis exhibit meconium ileus, a blockage of the lower intestine that causes abdominal swelling and bilious vomit. Surgery is necessary to correct meconium ileus. Children past the newborn stage who have cystic fibrosis will have symptoms like abdominal distension, loose and malodorous stool, and rectal prolapse. All these problems are associated with an improper functioning of the small intestine. In some cases, children with cystic fibrosis will develop a mild form of diabetes. In about 10% of cystic fibrosis cases, no gastrointestinal symptoms will be present. However, GI symptoms are usually detected far before respiratory ones are. The sweat glands are also affected by cystic fibrosis, as the disease causes increased electrolyte presence in the sweat. In fact, using sweat as a diagnostic measure is one of the safest and most reliable tests for cystic fibrosis."

Tags:pancreatic, functioning, cysts, sweat, glands, emphysema