Y BEER

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YOLANDI BEER

Blog #3.5

28 Nov 2021, 17:49 Publicly Viewable
  • Briefly explain what cystic fibrosis is and how dornase alfa acts to solve the problem.

Cystic  fibrosis is a chronic metabolic  disease characterised by the decrease  in secretions in various organs, of which the lungs are the most affected. The body cant eliminate the thick and sticky mucus produced and creates the perfect environment for recurrent infections  to occur. Dornase alfa inhalations hydrolyze  the muco-polysaccarides in the mucus increasing its liquidity and improving the body's ability to rid of this mucus. 

  • Briefly explain what neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is, what the general treatment strategies involve and how cortisone and exogenous surfactants solve the problem.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome occurs when the surfactant which cover the airways and is essential for gas exchange, has not developed before birth  and can lead  to atelectasis. Treatment includes oxygen therapy/ventilation, exogenous surfactants (beractant or poractant) administration or prophylactically administering two doses of a corticosteroid (betamethasone) to the mother, before labour, to induce the formation of the baby's surfactants.

  • What is the role of oxygen therapy in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome?  What do the dangers of oxygen toxicity involve?

The role of this therapy is to improve the gas exchange of the baby even though the surfactants aren't completely developed yet. This allows for normal oxygen levels. Dangers of this therapy if oxygen levels remain high over a  period of time includes retinal damage and ultimately blindness.

  • Briefly explain what neonatal apnoea is and how the methylxanthines solve the problem.  Which methylxanthine is used?

Neonatal apnoea occurs when the respiratory centrum in the brain has not yet fully developed in a baby and thus there is not continuous stimulation for breathing. Resulting in periods of  oxygen shortage due to the lack of breathing by the baby. Methylxanthines stimulate the CNS and makes you more aware and awake thus improving respiration stimulation in this  condition. Theophylline  or caffeine can be used.