Page 24 - Waterfall City Issue 4 April 2024

Waterfall City Health

IS THIS NORMAL?

A paediatric surgeon’s view on children’s little imperfections.

By Dr Vered Lack, BSc (Wits), BVSc (Pret), MBBCh (Wits), FC Paed Surg (SA), MMed (Wits).
Specialist Paediatric Surgeon, Netcare Waterfall City Hospital.

F ew moments in life are as special disease or physical abnormality present newborns. It occurs in approximately 1 in

as welcoming a newborn baby
500 births. It is more frequent in children
at birth. Ankyloglossia, commonly
with syndromes such as the trisomies,
known as a tongue-tie, refers to a
into your home. The relief of
leaving the hospital combines
healthy children and may run in families
with the joy of beginning your journey condition where a band of tissue tethers but commonly, it is seen in otherwise
the tip of the tongue to the floor of
of growing and caring for a new little the mouth behind the gums. Your (i.e.: a parent or grandparent may have
person. Occasionally, little ones may healthcare provider may pick it up due this condition too). The extra digit may
have congenital ailments, which new to difficulties with latching and feeding, be attached to the pinkie finger or the
parents and seasoned caregivers can which can result in poor weight gain. thumb. It presents with different degrees
initially miss. Mostly, these may not be As the child gets older, speech may of development: some resemble a
immediately harmful, but some can be delayed or disturbed due to the complete finger, whereas some may be
progress to a medical emergency or restricted movement of the tongue. no bigger than a fleshy outgrowth.
cause social discomfort later in life.
Polydactyly, or extra digits, is another Of more significant concern is a
A congenital condition refers to any common congenital condition in group of conditions termed hernias.

22 Waterfall City Issue 4 2024