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Full text of this paper is not available in the ETD Center. Copies may be available for inter-library loan from University of Cincinnati or may be available for purchase from Proquest/UMI

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RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME

WOJTASIAK, MICHELLE LEA

Abstract Details

2002, MS, University of Cincinnati, Allied Health Sciences : Genetic Counseling.
Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a genetic condition caused by the deletion of chromosome region 22q11.2-22q11.2. The majority of VCFS majority of research has focused on recognition of VCFS and the effects of heart and palate defects on individuals with this condition. Few studies have examined the contribution of VCFS to pediatric hospitalization. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective chart review was to: 1) describe and quantify the hospitalizations and health problems of children with VCFS during the first five years of life, and 2) compare the medical needs of children with VCFS to children with isolated heart defects, isolated palate defects, and typical healthy children. Data on hospitalizations, birth defects, and health concerns for all cohorts were collected. When heart- and palate-related surgical hospitalizations were excluded, children with VCFS required a significantly greater number of hospitalizations in the first year (p=0.0015) and second through fifth years (p=0.0066) of life. A greater percentage of children with VCFS were hospitalized for respiratory illness than were children in other cohorts (p=0.0100). Individuals with VCFS were more likely to be diagnosed with a feeding problem (p<0.0001), failure to thrive (FTT) (p=0.0059), and hypotonia (p<0.0001) than individuals in other cohorts. Because of the high risk for feeding problems and FTT, all individuals with VCFS should undergo a multidisciplinary feeding team evaluation. Care must be taken not to falsely attribute failure to thrive to congenital heart disease or to poor parenting skills. Because VCFS is a risk factor for respiratory illness, parents should be educated on methods to reduce environmental risk factors for respiratory illness, including smoke, from the child's environment. Future prospective studies should expand upon this knowledge and examine the hospitalizations and medical needs of children with VCFS beyond age five years.
Dr. Robert Hopkin (Advisor)
1 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • WOJTASIAK, M. L. (2002). RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1029504344

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • WOJTASIAK, MICHELLE. RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1029504344.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • WOJTASIAK, MICHELLE. "RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1029504344

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)