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Endocrinology History

The field of endocrinology began to be studied late in the 19th century, when the concept of chemical messengers that exerted systemic effects throughout the entire body was initially introduced.

28 Jun 2016

Biliary Atresia and Kasai Procedure

Biliary atresia (BA) is a condition characterized by a discontinuity or obliteration of the extrahepatic or biliary system that results in bile flow obstruction. It is a rare disorder in newborn infants that requires early intervention, surgically, to prevent irreparable damage to the liver if left untreated.

28 Jun 2016

Breast Changes After Birth

Once a woman has given birth, her estrogen and progesterone levels rapidly fall. By around three days after birth, the colostrum or “first milk” which had previously been yellowish in color, becomes diluted and changes to a whiter color.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: over 40 weeks

Most pregnancies last about 40 weeks, with the majority of women going into labor a week either side of this date.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 37 - 40 weeks

A pregnancy is regarded as full-term by the time a woman reaches the 37th week. The baby’s digestive system is fully functional and contains meconium, a sticky, green-colored substance that the baby will pass as the first stool after it is born.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 33 - 36 weeks

By this late stage of pregnancy, the baby’s nervous system is fully developed. Aside from the skull bones, other bones in the body are hardening.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 29 - 32 weeks

Between the 29th and 32nd week of pregnancy, the baby continues to be very active and makes numerous movements.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 25 - 28 weeks

During the 25th to 28th week of pregnancy, the baby is very active, moving about vigorously and responding to sounds and touch. Loud noises may make the baby kick, which the mother should be able to feel.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 21 - 24 weeks

By the 21st week of pregnancy, the baby weighs about 400 grams and is poised to gain more weight. At this stage, the baby weighs more than the placenta (which had previously weighed more than the baby).

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 17 - 20 weeks

By the 17th week of pregnancy, the baby is becoming more active in the womb and may have become large enough for the mother to start feeling the first flutters of movement in her tummy.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 13 - 16 weeks

Week 13 of pregnancy represents the beginning of the second trimester, the stage where fetal development takes on a whole new meaning. During the second trimester, a pregnant woman and her partner may be able to find out the baby’s gender and the mother-to-be may even feel the baby move.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 9 - 12 weeks

By the end of the 8th week of pregnancy, a baby is considered a fetus. During the 9th and 12th week of pregnancy - the latter part of the first trimester - structures that have already formed continue to grow and develop.

27 Jun 2016

Pregnancy: 0-8 weeks

During the first trimester of pregnancy, a baby goes through many stages of development, starting as a fertilized egg after conception and then developing into a blastocyst, an embryo and then a fetus.

27 Jun 2016

The Endocrinology Profession

Endocrinology is the medical specialization that involves the study of hormones that are produced and secreted by the endocrine glands. These are vital for the various functional processes of the body. An endocrinologist is well-versed with endocrine illnesses, their symptoms, management and treatment.

27 Jun 2016

Causes of Bleeding in the Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins in the mouth and works its way down the esophagus, through the stomach, small and large intestines and rectum, before terminating at the anus. Bleeding or hemorrhaging anywhere along this pathway may be acute or chronic and can be due to a host of factors.

27 Jun 2016

Malrotation of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Gastrointestinal (GI) malrotation, sometimes referred to as incomplete rotation or intestinal nonrotation, is any deviation from the physiological rotation and/or fixation of the GI tract during embryonic development.

27 Jun 2016

Types of Volvulus

Volvulus, derived from the Latin term volvere, is a subtype of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) rotation. In volvulus, a loop of intestines is twisted at a point along the mesentery that is attached to the GI tract.

27 Jun 2016

HIV in Pregnancy and During Breastfeeding

A pregnant woman who is HIV-positive can pass the virus onto her baby during pregnancy, during childbirth or through breastfeeding. This mother-to-child transmission, also referred to as perinatal transmission, is the most common route of HIV infection among children.

27 Jun 2016

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Characterized by severe episodes of recurrent vomiting attacks and nausea, cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a rare disorder with no apparent cause. There are several synonyms that are used to typify the condition.

26 Jun 2016

The Hygiene Hypothesis and Autoimmune Disorders

The hygiene hypothesis is a hypothesis that suggests that the increased incidence of allergic and autoimmune disorders are linked to the tremendous changes in sanitation standards and practices that occurred in industrializing countries throughout the industrial revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries.

26 Jun 2016