Parents always want the best for their children. Hence, when their infant is diagnosed with a medical condition, they turn to surgery as a solution. However, while it is often necessary and effective, surgery is not always the best option.
But how then can parents ensure their child gets the care they need? The answer lies in cutting-edge methods that do not require surgery.
What is Non-Surgical Treatment?
Non-Surgical Treatment, also known as non-invasive treatment, is an approach to medical care that does not require cutting open a patient’s body.
Instead, it uses various techniques, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, to treat medical conditions.
Non-surgical treatment is not new and has been used for years in adults. However, it is only recently that it has become a viable option for infants. As technology advances, physicians can now diagnose and treat many medical conditions non-surgically.
Of course, the ideal treatment method depends on the particular condition.
Examples of Non-Surgical Treatment
1. Ultrasound.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Radiologists use these images to diagnose many medical conditions in infants, such as cysts, blood clots, tumors, and infections.
In some cases, ultrasound-guided injections may also be used to treat medical conditions without surgery.
2. Chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a type of medication that is used to treat cancer. Children with certain types of cancer may benefit from chemotherapy treatment. In infants, chemotherapy is often used as an alternative to surgery.
3. Radiation Therapy.
Radiation therapy is a type of medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells.
It is a common approach in treating cancer in adults, but in infants, it may be used in combination with chemotherapy to avoid surgery or to treat conditions such as tumors or optic nerve gliomas.
4. Hormone Therapy.
Hormone Therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses medication to alter hormone levels in the body.
Hormone therapy can be used to treat various medical conditions, such as pituitary tumors, which secrete hormones that can affect growth and development in infants.
Advantages of Non-Surgical Treatment for Infants
Non-surgical treatment offers several benefits over surgery, including:.
1. Minimal Invasiveness.
Non-surgical treatments are minimally invasive, which reduces the risk of infection and other complications associated with surgery.
Infants undergoing non-surgical therapy do not have to go through the pain, stress, and recovery time associated with surgery.
2. Higher Survival Rates.
Non-surgical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have been shown to be effective in treating many types of cancer in infants.
Recent studies indicate that infants diagnosed with some types of cancer receive better outcomes with non-surgical treatments.
3. Improved Quality of Life.
Non-surgical therapies are less invasive than surgery, which improves the quality of life of infants. Non-surgical treatment does not disrupt the infant’s daily life, allowing them to engage in normal activities without discomfort or pain.
Conditions That Can Be Treated Non-Surgically
The following medical conditions may be treated with non-surgical methods in infants:.
1. Congenital Heart Disease.
Congenital Heart Disease is a condition that affects the heart and can cause various problems, including a malfunctioning heart valve or a hole in the heart.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary, but in other instances, medication and non-surgical therapy may be the best option.
2. Tumors.
Tumors are the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. In infants, tumors can be treated with non-surgical methods such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and ultrasound-guided injections.
3. Skin Conditions.
Infants may develop several skin conditions that can be treated with non-surgical methods, such as Rashes (eczema), Hemangiomas, and Port-wine stains.
Conclusion
Non-surgical treatment offers a viable alternative to surgery for infants with medical conditions. With technological advancements and innovation in the medical field, physicians now have more options for treating infants effectively.
As a parent, it is important to discuss different treatment options with your child’s physician and choose the one that is best for your child’s needs.