Long QT Syndrome Disorder

The recessive form normally has a severe phenotype (Schwartz, 2017). With its two variants related to autism, congenital heart diseases, and immune deficiency or congenital neural deafness. Ten genes are related to the occurrence of LQTS, with the primary cause being gene mutation of the cardiac electrolytes. Basing on genetics, the genes that have been discovered include 1 type of Andersen syndrome, Timothy syndrome, 2 types of JLN syndrome and 6 types of Romano-Ward Syndrome. Most cases of long QT syndrome are related to LQTS1 and LQTS2 with the approximated prevalence of 45%, and 45 %. The condition could be genetic; the inherited trait may occur alone. Alternatively, it may present itself as a form of a wider genetic disorder. There are medications attributed to causing the occurrence of this condition at later stages of life.

They are medication on low blood calcium, low blood potassium or heart failure. In addition to certain antibiotics, antiarrhythmic, and antipsychotics. It could cause one to experience dangerous electrolyte imbalance contributing to acquired long QT syndrome. The condition could adverse over a prolonged period and is only worsened at the onset of feeding, after the period of starving. The victims should hence take many precautions to avoid dangers of refeeding syndrome. LQTS is often diagnosed after one has had a period of abnormal cardiac occurrence such as cardiac arrest. In other instances, when an individual shows an ECG with QT prolongation. An adrenergic state enhances repolarizing currents to reduce the action potential. People at stake of inherited LQTS include young adults, teenagers, and children experiencing unexplained fainting, seizures or events of cardiac arrest and the families of such people.

Those on medication is known as prolonged QT syndrome. People with low electrolytes, calcium, potassium, and magnesium blood levels who normally experience anorexia nervosa (Sovari, 2017). Most people with inherited long QT syndrome goes undiscovered or misdiagnosed as epilepsy or seizure. LQTS does not only cause distress to the actual victim, but to the family members of the infected and the society at large. The presence of LQTS in one family member is enough warning. The whole family needs to be tested for gene mutation to determine if they are gene positive or negative. The gene negative members are considered out of risk, unlike the gene positive that would require constant follow up (“Mayo Clinic”). The family member confirmed gene negative have zero chances of having children with the condition; they hence do not need special attention.

However, the exact adverse effect of the drugs is not known. As much as LQTS is often diagnosed in adolescents, most people who have it never really get to know. Estimates of 1 in every 2500 births stand a chance of having the hereditary, cardiac condition (Waddell-Smith, 2015). 85% of the cases are inherited while 15% makes up for the sporadic cases ensuing from new genetic mutations in the persons. Persons with LQTS require lifestyle modification since the disorder poses them with risks of dangerous cardiac events. Parents also experience challenges of having to limit their children activities. Reference Janney, Abigail. “Anxiety in Individuals Affected by Long QT Syndrome as Experienced by Members of an Online User Group”. PCOM Psychology Dissertations. Paper 190. org/10. 1093/eurheart/ehw665. Waddell-Smith” (2015).