Many people suffer from facial vein congenital causes, such as Sturge-Weber syndrome. Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare congenital neurological and skin disorder that affects the embryo. It is not a hereditary disease.
About Sturge-Weber Syndrome
Sturge-Weber syndrome can cause the baby to be born with a birthmark on the upper forehead and upper eyelid on one side of the face or the other. The birth mark can be light pink, or it may also appear as a deep purple color. Seizures are also associated with Sturge-Weber. The seizures are caused by the loss of nerve cells around the cerebral cortex of the brain. The seizures usually start before age one, and can get worse as the child ages. These usually happen on the opposite side of the body that the birth mark is on.
In the most severe cases, paralysis over one side of the body can occur. There is also the chance that it can cause mental retardation and developmental delays. Eye problems are also associated with this syndrome. It can cause the pressure in the eye to increase, which can then cause the eye to bulge out of the eye socket.
Treatment
Sturge-Weber syndrome is treated by treating the symptoms caused by the disease. The seizures are treated with anticonvulsant medications to decrease the chance of having seizures. If the seizures develop before age two, there is the possibility that the anticonvulsant medication will not work. If the anticonvulsants do not work, then the patient may need neurosurgery. During the neurosurgery, the surgeon will remove or disconnect the part of the brain causing the seizures. This can be a difficult surgery.
If mental retardation occurs, there are many organizations and places to help the parents to learn to take care of a child with special needs. Developmental delays can also be helped with the use of special techniques and therapy, such as physical and speech therapists. The birth mark can be removed or lightened with laser treatments. Laser treatments can remove the birthmark and make it appear that it was never there. There are various types of lasers available for this purpose.
For the eye problems associated with it, yearly eye exams are recommended for early detection of glaucoma. Eye drops can be prescribed to help with the problems. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. This can even been present at birth. For those children who have muscle weakness, physical therapy can be helpful. This will help strengthen the muscles affected by Sturge-Weber syndrome. Physical therapy may be needed for a long period of time.
There is no known prevention of Sturge-Weber syndrome. If you have a child born with this problem, it is not a life threatening problem and many children can grow and have a normal, happy childhood. It can be a life changing experience to deal with the symptoms, but any parent will do whatever it takes to have a happy child. If you have a child with this disorder, talk to your doctor and find programs available in your area.
