Pediatric Gastrointestinal Alterations

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering congenital, obstructive, inflammatory, and functional gastrointestinal alterations in pediatric patients, including diagnostic criteria, clinical presentations, and surgical therapies.

Pancreatic Amylase Secretion (Pediatric)

The secretion of the digestive enzyme pancreatic amylase does not begin until age $4\text{ months}$.

Infant Stomach Capacity

The anatomical volume of the stomach, which increases from $10\text{--}20\,\text{mL}$ in early infancy to up to $3\,\text{L}$ by late adolescence.

Small Intestine Length (Developmental)

The length of the small intestine, measuring only $200\text{--}250\,\text{cm}$ at birth and lengthening to $350\text{--}600\,\text{cm}$ by adulthood.

Organic Failure to Thrive

A condition of inadequate growth and development that is associated with an underlying medical condition.

Nonorganic Failure to Thrive

Inadequate growth having no associated medical conditions affecting development, most commonly diagnosed at age $5\text{ years}$ or younger.

Cleft Lip and Palate

A congenital malformation caused by nonunion of the tissue and bone of the upper lip and hard or soft palate during embryologic development, often associated with other congenital anomalies.

Breck Feeder

A specialized feeding device consisting of a syringe attached to rubber tubing, used to facilitate nutrition in an infant with a cleft lip and palate.

Logan Bow

A curved wire facial device taped to the cheeks of an infant following cleft lip repair to protect and avoid any strain or trauma to the suture line.

Esophageal Atresia (EA)

A congenital malformation in which the esophagus terminates prematurely into a blind pouch, lacking a continuous passage or entry route to the stomach.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF)

A congenital anomaly featuring an abnormal open connection between the trachea and the esophagus, allowing swallowed contents or air to cross between systems.

Clinical 'Three C\'s' of Tracheoesophageal Fistula

The classic assessment triad consisting of coughing, choking, and intermittent cyanosis resulting from aspirated formula, secretions, or mucus crossing into the respiratory tract.

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Hypertrophy and thickening of the circular muscle of the pyloric sphincter that causes luminal stenosis, gastric outlet obstruction, an olive-size RUQ mass, and forceful projectile vomiting.

Pyloromyotomy (Pylorotomy)

A surgical procedure for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis that involves a longitudinal division of the hypertrophied pyloric muscle down to the submucosa to establish an adequate passageway.

Reducible Hernia

A hernia in which the displaced bowel or tissue can move back into the peritoneal cavity freely or with manual manipulation.

Incarcerated Hernia

A hernia that is trapped outside of the peritoneal cavity and cannot be reduced.

Strangulated Hernia

A hernia whose blood supply has been cut off due to entrapment, creating an emergency surgical situation to avoid bowel necrosis.

Gastroschisis

A full-thickness defect of the abdominal wall, typically located to the right of the umbilical cord, through which uncovered loops of bowel eviscerate.

Omphalocele

An abdominal wall defect consisting of herniation of the intestines into the base of the umbilical cord, covered and protected by a large peritoneal sac.

Meckel Diverticulum

The most common congenital defect of the digestive system, consisting of a remnant of prenatal tissue forming a small pouch in the intestinal wall that produces acid and can cause mucosal ulceration.

Meckel's Scan

A diagnostic nuclear imaging study utilized to provide the definitive diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum by identifying ectopic gastric mucosa.

Intussusception

A common cause of pediatric intestinal obstruction where a proximal segment of the bowel prolapses or telescopes into the lumen of an immediately distal segment.

Currant Jelly Stool

A dark red, gelatinous stool containing a mixture of blood and mucus that serves as a hallmark clinical sign of intussusception.

Hirschsprung's Disease (Aganglionic Megacolon)

A congenital disorder characterized by the absence of autonomic parasympathetic ganglion cells in a section of the large colon, leading to absent peristalsis, functional obstruction, and massive proximal dilation.

Rectal Biopsy in Hirschsprung's Disease

The definitive diagnostic evaluation that confirms Hirschsprung's disease by histologically demonstrating the absence of ganglion cells in the affected bowel segment.

Imperforate Anus

A congenital malformation caused by abnormal fetal development characterized by the absence of a normal anal opening, often identified by the inability to insert a rectal thermometer or lack of stool within $24\text{ hours}$ of birth.

Anoplasty

A surgical reconstructive procedure performed to create a functional anal opening in patients with an imperforate anus.

Appendicitis

Inflammation and infection of the vermiform appendix, presenting initially as dull, steady periumbilical pain that progresses over $4\text{--}6\text{ hours}$ and localizes to the right lower quadrant.

McBurney's Point

The specific anatomic site in the right lower quadrant where rebound pain or tenderness is most pronounced during assessment of acute appendicitis.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas causing acute abdominal pain and vomiting accompanied by elevated pancreatic enzymes, with common causes including blunt abdominal trauma, infections, and valproic acid.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Reversal of gastric flow into the lower esophagus due to a relaxed cardiac sphincter or overdistension, resulting in local mucosal irritation, spitting up, weight loss, or respiratory complications.

Nissen Fundoplication

A severe GERD surgical intervention involving the wrapping of the gastric fundus around the distal esophagus to re-establish sphincter pressure and prevent reflux.

Celiac Disease

A systemic malabsorption disorder characterized by sensitivity to the protein gluten found in grains, causing small intestinal mucosal alterations that prevent nutrient absorption.

TORCH Titers

A diagnostic serology panel evaluating for infections that cause pediatric liver dysfunction, encompassing toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex.