Developmental Abnormalities

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Teratology Principles - Agents of Chaos

  • Teratology: Study of birth defects. Teratogen: Agent causing malformations.
  • Key Principles (Wilson's):
    • Susceptibility (genotype, timing).
    • Specific mechanisms.
    • Dose-response relationship.
    • Outcomes: Death, malformation, growth issues, functional deficits.
  • Critical Periods:
    • 3rd-8th week (organogenesis): Peak sensitivity.
    • <3rd week: All-or-none.
    • 8th week (fetal): Growth/functional defects.

  • Teratogens: Drugs (e.g., thalidomide), Infections (TORCH), Radiation, Maternal factors (diabetes). image

⭐ The most critical period for teratogenesis is the 3rd to 8th week of gestation (embryonic period/organogenesis).

Neural Tube Defects - Brainy Blunders

  • Failure of neural tube (NT) closure (3rd-4th week gestation).
  • Risks: Folic acid deficiency, maternal diabetes, valproate.
  • Prevention: Folic acid 0.4 mg/day (general), 4 mg/day (prior NTD).
  • Diagnosis: ↑AFP (maternal serum/amniotic fluid), ↑AChE (amniotic fluid), ultrasound.
  • Types:
    • Anencephaly: No forebrain/skull vault; polyhydramnios.
    • Encephalocele: Brain/meninges herniation via skull defect.
    • Spina Bifida:
      • Occulta: Vertebral defect, asymptomatic, hairy patch/dimple.
      • Meningocele: Meninges + CSF herniation.
      • Myelomeningocele: Meninges + neural tissue; neuro deficits, Arnold-Chiari II common.

⭐ Anencephaly is characterized by absence of the forebrain and calvarium, and is incompatible with life.

Types of Neural Tube Defects

Congenital Heart Defects - Broken Hearts

⭐ Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect overall.

  • CHDs: Structural defects of heart/great vessels present at birth due to abnormal embryogenesis. Key classification based on presence or absence of cyanosis.
FeatureAcyanotic (L→R Shunt)Cyanotic (R→L Shunt)
ExamplesVSD, ASD, PDAToF, TGA, Truncus Arteriosus, Tricuspid Atresia, TAPVR
Shunt DirectionLeft-to-RightRight-to-Left
CyanosisLate (Eisenmenger syndrome)Early
PBF↑ Pulmonary Blood FlowVariable/↓ PBF (often)
-   **P**ulmonary stenosis
-   **R**ight ventricular hypertrophy (RVH)
-   **O**verriding aorta
-   **V**entricular septal defect (VSD)
  • Boot-shaped heart on CXR (ToF).

Common congenital heart defects diagram

GI & GU Anomalies - Gut & Groin Goofs

  • Gut Rotation & Wall Defects:
    • Malrotation: Ladd's bands, volvulus risk.
    • Omphalocele: Midline, sac-covered, ↑AFP, associated anomalies.
    • Gastroschisis: Right of umbilicus, no sac, ↑AFP, isolated.
  • Atresias & Stenosis:
    • Duodenal atresia: "Double bubble" sign, Down syndrome.
    • Pyloric stenosis: Non-bilious projectile vomiting, palpable olive.
  • GU Anomalies:
    • Hypospadias: Ventral meatus. Epispadias: Dorsal meatus.
    • Horseshoe kidney: Fused inferior poles, trapped by IMA.
    • 📌 POTTER sequence: Pulmonary hypoplasia, Oligohydramnios, Twisted face/skin, Extremity defects, Renal agenesis. Omphalocele vs Gastroschisis Comparison

⭐ Meckel's diverticulum: Rule of 2s (2% pop, 2ft from ICV, 2in long, 2% symptomatic, 2 types ectopic tissue - gastric/pancreatic).

Craniofacial & Limb Defects - Awkward Arms & Faces

  • Craniofacial Defects:
    • Cleft Lip: Failure of maxillary & medial nasal prominences to fuse.
    • Cleft Palate: Failure of palatal shelves to fuse.
    • Craniosynostosis: Premature cranial suture fusion (e.g., scaphocephaly).
    • Holoprosencephaly: Incomplete forebrain division; severe facial anomalies.
  • Limb Defects:
    • Amelia: Complete limb absence.
    • Meromelia: Partial limb absence.
    • Phocomelia: Hands/feet near trunk (📌 Seal limbs); e.g., thalidomide.
    • Syndactyly: Fused digits.
    • Polydactyly: Extra digits. Congenital limb abnormalities

⭐ Cleft lip results from failure of fusion of the maxillary prominence with the medial nasal prominence.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Neural tube defects (NTDs) are linked to maternal folate deficiency.
  • TORCH infections are major causes of congenital malformations.
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome presents with characteristic facial dysmorphism and growth restriction.
  • Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), commonest aneuploidy, causes intellectual disability, cardiac defects.
  • Potter sequence from oligohydramnios causes pulmonary hypoplasia, limb deformities.
  • DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion): features CATCH-22 (Cardiac, Abnormal facies, Thymic aplasia, Cleft palate, Hypocalcemia).
  • Teratogens cause defects during critical periods of organogenesis (e.g., thalidomide, phocomelia).
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Practice Questions: Developmental Abnormalities

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Flashcards: Developmental Abnormalities

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_____ is characterized by the pulmonary artery arising from the left ventricle and aorta from the right ventricle

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_____ is characterized by the pulmonary artery arising from the left ventricle and aorta from the right ventricle

D-transposition of the great vessels

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Developmental Abnormalities - Free Indian Medical PG Review