What is Asplenia?
Asplenia is a medical condition where there is absence seizure of normal spleen role . The condition Asplenia literally means an wanting lien . However , the quick temper may not be physically absent in most of the patients and rather there is underdevelopment of the short temper due to which the function of the spleen is not completely hit . Asplenia carries serious risks of infection and needs careful direction . The spleen is one of the most vital reed organ of the body and its function is filtering the blood and defend the resistant system of rules . Most of the patients with Asplenia have multi - organ involvement .
Fortunately the incidence rate for asplenia is scurvy . Asplenia is seen in men more than woman . According to studies , about 1 % to 3 % of nipper who have innate heart flaw also have asplenia .
What are the Causes of Asplenia?
Congenital /Genetic Causes of Asplenia : It is thought that there is inherited connection with asplenia . However , there is no sufficient proof of this . It is also assumed that non - working cistron can take to asplenia . It is also think that parents who are somehow related can possibly pass the autosomal recessive gene to one of their children . There has been no clear proof of this ; however , some patients are think to acquire asplenia in this manner . innate asplenia is a rarefied natural event . There are two dissimilar types of genetic disorders : isolated congenital asplenia and heterotaxy syndrome .
Acquired Causes of Asplenia : There are various causa of Acquired Asplenia :
What are the Symptoms of Asplenia?
Asplenia impact multiple organs of the body . Due to the absence of spleen or performance of the quick temper , the following symptoms or reflection are seen in patient role with Asplenia :
Increased Risk of Infections : As spleen ’s function is not met , the resistant system gets affected which makes the patient more prostrate to infections .
Problems with Digestive Tract : patient with asplenia are at an increase peril for having digestive parcel of land problem due to intestinal malrotation where there is rotation of the midgut . impedimenta is the commonest problem of asplenia with digestive tract problems and this can be a life threatening situation requiring emerging operative treatment .
Malpositioning of Liver and Stomach : With the absence of quick temper , there will be significant changes in the location of the liver and abdomen . The normal location of the breadbasket is in the cardinal abdominal quadrant and the absence of the spleen causes it to be mal - positioned , which can result in spin . Also , the liver which is normally turn up at the upper right quarter-circle of the belly tends to move to the central part of the body and can occupy a gravid quad in the opposite side . These may lead to obstruction which impede right digestion and blood circulation to stomach .
Heart job : Heart disease lean to develop in kid with congenital asplenia . This leads to respiratory problem and cyanosis . The symptom in baby suffering with congenital heart disease are interchangeable to symptom in children suffering from heart problems develop from asplenia . affected role having asplenia - induced centre problems will commonly have unnatural pulmonary venous yield . Due to this job , the patient will have difficulties with internal respiration and proper oxygenation of body . Another unusual person which develops as an asplenia - induced heart problem is atrial septal defect where there is distribution of less oxygenated rakehell to the consistence alternatively of oxygenize blood .
Lung Problems : affected role with asplenia will have 3 lobes in the left lung rather of 2 lobes .
What are the Complications of Asplenia?
Asplenia is a case of immunodeficiency which leads to increased risk of infection and sepsis cause by polysaccharide encapsulated bacterium . This can lead to devastating post splenectomy infection which can become life threatening in a few hours . Patients are especially at increase endangerment from Haemophilus influenzae , Streptococcus pneumoniae and meningococcal . There is increase platelet counts is patients with asplenia .
How is Asplenia Diagnosed?
Imaging studies are done to reassert the diagnosis of asplenia . magnetic resonance imaging scanis highly useful in detecting any problems with other electric organ of the torso along with checking their positioning . Echocardiogram is done to detect problems of the cardiovascular system which occur as a answer of asplenia . Chestx - rayhelps in learn the placement of the heart and to face for problems with the lungs . Ultrasound is done to observe any probable miscreation and location of the organs which can be potentially affected . A cover tryout is done to observe Heinz and Howell - Jolly organic structure in the ancestry as the presence of these bodies is significative of asplenia .
How is Asplenia Treated?
The intention of treatment for asplenia is to alleviate or handle the symptom of asplenia :
Surgery : Surgery may be done if the patient has heart shortcoming induced by asplenia . Surgery is also done if there is an enteral obstructor nowadays .
Vaccinations : Proper vaccination should be give to the patient to protect them against any infections , as asplenia create the patient prostrate to transmission due to nonfunctioning of the spleen .
patient who are undergo splenectomy should take the following inoculation before the surgical process : Pneumococcal vaccines , Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine , Meningococcal conjugate vaccine and influenza vaccine .
Antibiotics : Antibiotics are give to the patient if there is already an contagion present to prevent further aggravation . Antibiotics are also afford prophylactically to prevent the ontogenesis of infections in patients with asplenia or after splenectomy .
Additional Precautions
What is the Prognosis & Life Span of Patients with Asplenia?
If Asplenia is not treated or managed properly , then the medical prognosis is very poor . About 80 % of patients with asplenia have a life expectancy of about 1 year . The poor prognosis is due to the participation of multiple organs , particularly the heart . With right intervention and management of Asplenia , the prognosis is relatively good with improved life anticipation .
