Conditions

Please contact your doctor for more in depth information regarding these Special Needs conditions. Living Hope Adoption Agency is not a medical organization. This glossary is for your reference and is intended to introduce you to possible medical conditions of Special Needs children adopted from China.

Albinism
This condition results from a defect in melanin production. It results from the absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. In mild/moderate cases of albinism, absence of pigments, patchy absence of pigment, and/or lighter than normal skin and hair are common. In severe cases, albinism may cause vision defects, a bleeding disorder, and/or lung and bowl diseases.

Anemia
Anemia is usually detected or confirmed with a complete blood cell (CBC) count. It results from lower than normal red blood cells. The most common cause is iron deficiency. The outlook for a person suffering from Anemia depends on its cause. In severe cases low oxygen levels in vital organs can cause damage, such as heart attack.

Atresia
This is the closing of the ear canal. Hearing is limited in the ear, but the child is still able to hear. If there is no hearing, surgery can open the ear canals. If a family decides not to pursue surgery, most use hearing aids.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Atrial Septal Defect is common like VSD where there may be one or more holes in the muscular wall that separate the right and left upper ventricles of the heart.

Cataracts
A cataract is a milky white clouding over the front part of the eye. Cataracts are normally transparent and can affect one or both eyes. Small cataracts may not cause vision impairment, though large cataracts may.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)
This condition causes difficulty with movements of the body, balance and/or muscle control. CP is caused by damage to the part of the brain which controls muscles. A child with CP may have tightening or stiffness of their muscles known as high tone, or floppiness of their muscles known as low tone. A child with CP may experience both high and low tone muscles. The majority of children with CP have a normal IQ.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and palate are present at birth and affect the upper lip and the hard and soft palate of the mouth. The defect can range from a small notch in the lip to a complete separation that extends into the roof of the mouth and nose. A cleft in the lip and a cleft in the palate can occur simultaneously or alone. Treatment includes surgery, orthodontics, and speech therapy. Treatment may extend over several years. The outcome varies according to the severity of the child's disorder.

Club Foot (Talipes Varus)
A deformity in which a foot, or the feet, are twisted out of the normal position at birth and they remain tight in this position, resisting realignment. It can range from mild and flexible to severe and rigid. Treatment involves manipulating the foot into the correct position and then casting the foot to maintain the position. Further treatment includes nighttime braces, exercise, splints at night, and orthopedic shoes. Severe cases need surgery. With treatment, the outcome is usually positive.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
CHD is caused by an improper development of a baby's heart during fetal development. CHD has many types ranging from minor to severe. Most heart defects can be treated with medication and/or surgery.

Congenital Nevus Birthmark
A Nevus Birthmark is a common birthmark which varies greatly in size, color, texture, shape, and hairiness. A child may be born with one large nevus or several smaller birthmarks. Many Nevus Birthmarks have thick, long, coarse hair. Size of the nevus may range from one inch to covering half of the body.

Deformity of Ears
An underdevelopment of the ear and/or ear canal while in the mother's womb. A child may be born with Microtia, Atresia, or both. One or both ears may be affected.

Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition causing a delay in cognitive development and other health problems, such as hearing impairment and respiratory infections. People with Down syndrome should be active with exercise and interact regularly with others. Most diagnosed with Down syndrome live happy, healthy, and productive lives.

Drooping of Eyelids (Ptosis)
Drooping of the eyelids can affect one or both eyes. This is caused by an underdeveloped levator muscle, which is the muscle that lifts the eyelid upward. The eyelid may droop slightly or it may cover the pupil causing slight vision impairment. If there is vision impairment and it is not corrected, the child may develop a "lazy eye". This condition is corrected through surgery if needed.

Dwarfism
This is a genetic condition causing a person to reach under 4'10" or shorter when fully grown. The most common form of dwarfism is disproportion of arms and legs to the head and trunk size. Children with dwarfism may have moderate to severe orthopedic difficulties, which may cause deformities that lead to loss of mobility of limbs.

Extra Fingers/Toes
This disorder is also referred to as polydactyly or extra digits and is defined as having more than five fingers per hand or toes per foot. Most often there is an extra finger attached to the little finger by a small stalk. Extra digits are usually removed through a surgical procedure. The timing of surgery depends on whether the extra digits consist of only skin and soft tissue or contains bone and cartilage.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an excess of pressure in the eye. One or both eyes may be affected with Glaucoma. Babies and children with Glaucoma may have one larger eye or enlargement of both eyes. Bright lights and sunlight affect babies and children diagnosed. Glaucoma can be surgically treated with high success rates.

Hearing Loss (Total or Partial)
A physician can determine the extent of hearing loss through a series of tests. A hearing aid or cochlear implant may improve hearing.

Hemangioma
This disorder is also known as a strawberry mark. It is a dense collection of blood cells that collect in the skin or in internal organs. Hemangiomas on the eyelid may interfere with the development of normal vision and must be treated. On very rare occasions, the size and location of the hemangioma may interfere with breathing, feeding, and other functions and should be treated with steroid injections. Superficial hemangiomas are left untreated as they disappear on their own.

Hepatitis B Carrier/ Active
Hepatitis refers to syndromes or diseases causing liver inflammation. A carrier is infected but has no symptoms. In the future, a carrier could get rid of the virus completely, continue to have the infection with no symptoms, or develop chronic active hepatitis. An individual with active hepatitis has symptoms and physical ailments related to the disease. The virus causes damage within the body, usually to the liver. This infection is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.

Hermaphroditism
Hermaphroditism is a rare genetic condition where infants are born with internal reproductive organs of both sexes. The external genitalia of infants diagnosed with Hermaphroditism are normally a combination of male and female. A chromosome test is required to determine the infant's gender.

Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an enlargement of the head due to an accumulation of fluid on the brain. This can be corrected with surgery by installing a shunt, which drains the fluid. When treated, a child who survives to one year old will have an 80% chance of a normal life span. One third will have a normal intelligence, but neurological difficulties may persist.

Hypospadia
In this condition the urethral opening is located on the shaft or the base of the penis rather than the tip. In mild forms, the urethral opening is on the underside of the glands. In severe forms, the opening may be located at the base of the penis, on the scrotum. Surgical correction provides a better cosmetic appearance and allows for normal functioning of the penis. Results of surgery are typically good.

Imperforated Anus (Anal Atresia)
This condition is the absence of or obstruction of the anal opening. If the anal opening is narrowed, it can be dilated with an instrument. In the case of an absent opening, surgical reconstruction of the anus is required. A temporary colostomy is often required. The outcome of this disorder is usually good with treatment.

Inguinal Hernia
This disorder occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak point or tear in the abdominal wall, and is more common in boys than in girls. The majority of hernias require surgery to reposition the intestine and secure weak abdominal muscles. The outcome is usually good and recurrence is very rare.

Meningocele
In this form, the spinal cord develops normally, but when born, a small protruding sac of fluid is visible along the baby's spine. This swollen sac contains spinal fluid which leaked from a hole in the vertebrae. Once the protruding sac is removed and the back is closed, the child lives a normal active life.

Microtia
This deformity affects the outside of the ear as it did not form properly. The ear can be small, folded or misshapen.

Missing Fingers/Toes
A well-fitting prosthesis is a possibility to help an individual's functioning and physical appearance.

Myclomeningocele (meningomycloccle)
This is the most severe form of Spina Bifida. The Myelomeningocele is a protruding sac along the spinal column containing spinal fluid, tissue, nerves, and part of the infant’s spinal cord. The spinal cord has either not developed properly or it is damaged. The severity of this form depends on the location of the sac. Myelomeningocele may cause loss of sensation and paralysis below the damaged vertebrae. Many children with this form will require a walker or wheel chair depending on the level of paralysis. Children with this form may experience loss of bowel and bladder control.

Nystagmus
This disorder is defined as rapid and repetitive uncontrollable eye movements. These movements may be horizontal, vertical, or rotary and result from abnormal functioning in the area of the brain that controls eye movements. In the majority of cases, this disorder is irreversible.

Occulta
This is the mildest form of Spina Bifida which is caused by an opening in the vertebrae without protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges. This form normally goes undetected.

Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
This heart condition affects the blood vessel which bypasses blood from the heart to the baby’s lungs while in the mother’s womb. The blood vessel is supposed to close at birth, and PDA is caused when the vessel does not close. PDA allows extra blood to pass from the child’s heart to his/her lungs often causing a heart murmur and shortness of breath.

Polio
This is a viral infection that affects muscles and nerves throughout the body. Transmission of this virus occurs through contact with infected secretions from the nose, mouth, and from infected feces. If the spinal cord and brain are not affected while the virus runs its course (90% of the time), complete recovery is likely. Brain or spinal cord involvement may result in paralysis or death, however disability is more common.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)
PH is an increased blood flow to the pulmonary arteries. This increased flow of blood causes the arteries to thicken and become stiff. Eventually there is a decrease in blood reaching the lungs. If the PH becomes too high, the child will be unable to have surgery. It is imperative to monitor the child's PH number with any heart condition.

Rickets
Rickets is a bone disorder caused by lack of Vitamin D and Calcium. Children born diagnosed with Rickets have weak bones, which break easily. This condition can be treated with adequate amounts of Vitamin D and Calcium daily. If Rickets is not treated while the child is growing, they may have short stature and skeletal deformities.

Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is a spinal birth defect where bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly. There are three forms of Spina Bifida:

-Occulta:
-Meningoccle:
-Myclomeningoccle (meningomyeloccle):

Thalassemia
This is a hereditary disorder that is characterized by defective production of hemoglobin. This leads to low production, and over destruction of red blood cells. Left untreated, this disorder can lead to a greater susceptibility to infections and on occasion heart failure or liver dysfunction. To treat Thalassemia, regular blood transfusions may be necessary. Less severe forms of Thalassemia usually do not impact the life span.

Umbilical Hernia
This is common in infants. It occurs when a portion of the abdomen protrudes through the umbilical ring. Usually no treatment is required, as this will correct itself within two years. Conditions that persist are successfully treated with surgery. In extremely rare cases, bowel or other tissue may protrude and become strangulated; this requires immediate surgery.

Undescended Testicles
This disorder occurs when one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum prior to birth. Usually the testicles will descend into the scrotum, without any intervention, during the first year of life. If this does not occur, hormonal injections may be given or surgery may be performed to cause the testicles to descend. This disorder can result in infertility later in life, if the testicles do not descend.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
This is the most common heart defect present at birth. In this condition, there are one or more holes in the muscular wall that separate the right and left lower ventricles of the heart. A small defect may close itself during the first year of life. Larger defects will require surgery or another form of intervention. The prognosis is good with treatment.

Vision, Blindness/Loss of Sight in One Eye
Blindness is defined as the loss of vision, which is not correctable with glasses. Blindness can be total, or partial.

Vision, Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)
The eyes are unable to focus simultaneously on a single point. Treatment for this disorder involves strengthening the eye muscles with glasses and eye muscle exercises. Sometimes surgery is required. With early treatment, the defect can usually be corrected.

Webbed Fingers/Toes
Webbing is a union of two or more fingers or toes and usually involves a skin connection. Occasionally, webbing may consist of a fusion of bones. This condition usually extends to the first joint, and may on occasion extend the entire length of the digit. This condition is typically corrected by surgery and is often successful.