Health Library A to Z

F

• Blood Circulation in the Fetus and Newborn
During pregnancy, the fetal lungs are not used for breathing—the placenta does the work of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide through the mother's circulation. With the first breaths of air the baby takes at birth, the fetal circulation changes.

• Chromosome Studies: Karyotype, Extended Banding, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), and Chromosomal Microarray Analysis
Detailed information on what type of testing is available to determine whether a child has a genetic birth defect

• Cuts and Wounds of the Face
Most minor cuts or wounds to the face can be handled at home with simple first-aid treatment.

• Factors Contributing to Congenital Heart Disease
In up to 90 percent of cases of congenital heart defect, the cause is thought to be a combination of genetics and environment.

• Facts About Burn Injury
Hot tap water burns cause more deaths and hospitalizations than burns from any other hot liquids.

• Facts About Poisons
About 60 percent of poisonings in children involve items other than medicines—plants, cleaning products, cosmetics, pesticides, paints, and solvents.

• Facts About Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with more than a million new cases diagnosed each year.

• Failure to Thrive
Failure to thrive means that a child is not growing as he or she should. Psychological, social, or economic problems within the family almost always play a role in this condition.

• Falls
Detailed information on falls and preventing injuries and death in children

• Falls: Prevention
Make sure playground equipment is age-appropriate. Most equipment manufactured today is made for two age groups: children from 2 to 5 years old, and children from 5 to 12 years old.

• Falls--Injury Statistics and Incidence Rates
Infants are more likely to fall from furniture, baby walkers, and stairs. Toddlers tend to fall from windows.

• Family Grapples With Kids' Tech Time
Parental diligence and a few rules allow the good with less risk

• Family Meals Encourage Kids to Eat More Veggies, Fruit: Study
Researchers also found that children mimic parents' healthy eating habits

• Family Meals Nourish Teens' Mental Health: Study
Dinners with parents may improve behavior and well-being, study finds

• Family Meals: More Than Good Nutrition
If you don't have a family meal each day, it's time to get out the plates. Table time yields benefits that go far beyond food.

• Fast Food Tied to Asthma, Eczema and Hay Fever in Kids
Study isn't conclusive, but it's another reason to make healthier choices, expert says

• Fathers Can Teach Their Children Persistence: Study
'Authoritative' parenting brings out perseverance skills in kids

• FDA Approves Combo Shot for Meningitis, Hib in Kids
4-shot series given between 6 weeks and 18 months of age prevents potentially deadly diseases

• FDA Approves 'Morning-After' Pill Without a Prescription
Females aged 15 or older to gain access to Plan B drug over-the-counter

• FDA Bans BPA From Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups
Move comes after industry request for 'clarification,' but consumer advocates say it's not enough

• FDA Proposes Tougher Warnings for Tanning Beds
But stops short of ban for those younger than 18, as advisory panel had recommended

• FDA Warns Pregnant Women About Migraine Drugs
Medicines containing valproate linked to lower IQs in children, agency says

• Fear of Childbirth Linked to Longer Labor, Study Says
Relaxed women delivered about an hour and a half sooner than more anxious moms-to-be

• Fecal Transplant Studied for Kids With Bowel Disease
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis disappeared for one-third of patients after process

• Feeding Guide for the First Year
It's important to feed your baby a variety of healthy foods at the proper time. Solid foods should not be started before 4 months of age.

• Female Growth and Development
Detailed information on female physical development

• Female Physical Development
Detailed information on female physical development

• Female Teen Athletes: At Risk for Injury?
Teen girls who are athletes face unique obstacles when it comes to their bodies and how well they perform.

• Fertility Treatments May Raise Risk for Birth Defects: Study
But researchers say couples shouldn't be alarmed because absolute risk is small

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who drink during pregnancy. The problems include small head and brain, facial abnormalities, and defects of other organs.

• Fetal Deaths Up Among Unvaccinated Moms in H1N1 Pandemic: Study
Pregnant women need flu shot to protect unborn child, experts say

• Fetal Heart May Develop Later in Pregnancy Than Thought
British study suggests muscle may not be fully formed until 20th week

• Fever During Pregnancy May Raise Odds for Autism in Offspring
But experts say taking fever-relieving meds cuts the risk

• Fever in A Newborn
Detailed information on fevers in children

• Fevers
When your child has a fever, the body resets its thermostat at a higher temperature. This helps the body fight off invading microorganisms.

• Few Follow Car Safety Guidelines for Kids, Study Finds
Common problems include lack of proper restraints, youngsters sitting in front seat

• Fewer Children for Women After Ectopic Pregnancy: Study
Those who've had miscarriage, abortion or healthy delivery have more babies in the long-term

• Fewer Children Injured From Swallowing Caustic Chemicals: Study
Despite better prevention efforts, too many kids still consume household cleaning products

• Fewer Kids Getting Hurt in Most Sports, Study Finds
However, football and soccer injuries have risen over past decade

• Fewer Stillbirths Among Pregnant Women Vaccinated Against Flu
Those who were protected from H1N1 were also less likely to deliver preterm, study finds

• Fewer U.S. Kids Dying of Diabetes: CDC
More than 60 percent decline over 4 decades is likely due to better treatment, awareness

• Fibromyalgia in Children
Detailed information fibromyalgia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

• Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is caused by the human parvovirus. It is most prevalent in the winter and spring and is usually seen in school-aged children.

• Fillings
Teeth that have tooth decay must be repaired. Advances in dental materials and techniques provide new, effective ways to restore teeth.

• Find Nutrients for Children in Food, Not Pills
While you want to make sure your child gets the right vitamins and minerals, it's best for kids to get all the nutrients they need from food. But there are some children who may need a supplement.

• Find Safe, Fun Ways to Keep Young Kids Active
Kids need to move to build cognitive and motor skills and to learn that physical activity is fun.

• Finding the Best Day Care for Your Child
Is it almost time to go back to work? The idea of leaving your baby with strangers might be hard to swallow. But finding good day care doesn’t have to be difficult, if you follow this advice.

• Fire Safety and Burns
Detailed information on fire safety and burns and preventing injuries and death in children

• Fire Safety and Burns Overview

• Fire Safety and Burns--Identifying High-Risk Situations
Children are at increased risk for serious fire and burn injuries and death because they have thinner skin than adults, resulting in burns at lower temperatures.

• Fire Safety and Burns--Injury Statistics and Incidence Rates
The most common causes of burn injuries among children ages 14 and under are hair curlers, curling irons, room heaters, ovens and ranges, irons, gasoline, and fireworks.

• Fire Safety and Burns--Prevention
Develop a family escape plan and practice it repeatedly so that your children will have a better chance of escaping a fire unhurt and alive.

• Firearm Safety and Adolescents
Detailed information on firearm safety and prevention

• Firearms
Detailed information on firearm safety and preventing injuries and death in children

• Firearms--Identifying High-Risk Situations
Parents often underestimate their child's ability to gain access to a firearm in the house, or even the child's ability to pull the trigger.

• Firearms--Injury Statistics and Incidence Rates
Having a firearm in the home increases the risk of unintentional firearm-related death among children, especially if the firearm is loaded and kept unlocked.

• Firearms--Prevention
The only sure way to keep your child safe from unintentional firearm-related injury and death in your home is to remove all firearms from the home.

• First Aid for Poisonings
Sometimes accidental poisonings can be treated in the home under the direction of a poison control center or your child's doctor. At other times, emergency medical care is necessary.

• First-Aid for the Eyes
A child with a foreign object in the eye should not rub the eye. An eye wash may be able to flush the object out of the eye. If that doesn't work, seek medical attention immediately.

• First-Born May Be at Greater Risk for Diabetes, Hypertension
Researchers think better flow of nutrients to the womb in subsequent pregnancies might explain why

• Fit Kids May Dodge Fractures in Old Age
Regular exercise linked to increases in peak bone mass, study says

• Fitter Kids May Make Better Grades: Study
Policymakers should realize the importance of phys-ed classes, researcher says

• Five Mealtime Survival Tips for Harried Parents
You and your kids need to eat right. But with your busy schedule, it's tough to make sure everyone has nutritious meals and snacks. Check out these timesaving tips for preparing nutritious meals for the whole family.

• Five Tips for Handling a Bad Report Card
A disappointing grade can become an emotional tripwire for parent and child alike.

• Flame Retardants in Furniture, Carpets Might Affect Kids' Development
California study found that higher exposures were linked to IQ, attention deficits

• Flame-Retardant Chemicals Could Be Toxic to Kids
Study tied exposure in womb to hyperactivity, lower IQ

• Flossing and Children
Flossing should be started when your child is 2 to 3 years old, under the direction of your child's dentist. Children younger than 2 don't need to floss.

• Flu Infections Continue to Decline
33 states experienced minimal activity last week, CDC says

• Flu Levels Continue to Fall, CDC Says
Activity has decreased in many areas, data shows

• Flu Levels Starting to Fall, CDC Says
While activity remains high, it has decreased in most areas

• Flu Season Continues to Wind Down
38 states reported minimal activity last week, CDC says

• Flu Season's Approaching So Roll Up Your Sleeve
U.S. health officials say this year's vaccine protects against two new strains

• Flu Still at Epidemic Levels: CDC
Children and seniors especially vulnerable; infections declining in some regions

• Flu Still Widespread but Easing in Some States: CDC
45 children have died from flu this season; seniors also especially vulnerable

• Flu Vaccine Safe for Kids With Crohn's, Colitis: Study
It may even reduce their bowel symptoms, researchers say

• Fluoride and Children
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, strengthens tooth enamel, and reduces the harmful effects of plaque.

• Focus on One Sport Raises Young Athletes' Injury Risk: Study
Kids should not spend more hours than their age training for a sport each week, researchers say

• Folic Acid in Pregnancy May Lower Autism Risk
But study finding is preliminary and doesn't prove the nutrient prevents the disorder

• Food Allergies Can Make Kids Targets for Bullies
Some children reported that other kids intentionally contaminated their food with allergens

• Food Allergies in Children
Detailed information on food allergy, including cause, symptoms, and treatment

• Food, Skin Allergies on the Rise Among Children: CDC
Reasons aren't known, but researchers found racial, age and income differences

• For Colorado Family, It's Allergies All Around
Kids avoid long list of foods, but not athletic lifestyle

• For Kids, Eating Out = More Calories
Healthier restaurant choices and eating at home are ways to keep calories under control, experts say

• For Kids, Games Can Build Strong Minds
Citing the latest research on the brain, experts say chess, Scrabble, Monopoly -- even jigsaw puzzles or tic-tac-toe -- help children build analytical, organizational and creative skills.

• For More Babies, Birth Comes Too Soon
One in eight U.S. babies is preterm, says the Institute of Medicine. That's a rise of 30 percent in recent decades.

• For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort
Extreme obesity plagues more than a million teens and young adults, experts estimate. What's a parent to do?

• For Parents: Important Decisions to Be Made in the Dying Process
Detailed information on important decisions to be made when a child is dying, including the right to refuse treatment, to die at home versus the hospital, advanced directives, do not resuscitate, autopsy, organ donation, palliative hospice care, and funeral arrangements.

• For People With Lung Disease, Colds Are Worse With School Kids Around
Study found sore throat, runny nose, cough were all more likely

• For Pregnant Smokers, Vitamin C Might Help Babies' Lungs
Small study suggests infants of women who take supplements have lower risk of wheezing

• Foreign Bodies in the Ear, Nose, and Airway
Children usually place things in their ears because they are bored, curious, or copying other children. Some objects may cause no symptoms, but other objects, such as food and insects, may cause pain in the ear, redness, or drainage.

• Foster Kids Adopted by Same-Sex Parents Make Big Gains, Study Says
Children progressed as quickly as those placed in heterosexual homes

• Fractures in Children
Fractures occur when more force is applied to the bone than the bone can absorb. Bones are weakest when they are twisted.

• Fractures of the Orbit
The orbit is the bony structure around the eye. A blow to the face can break one or more of these bones and can result in severe eye injury and damage.

• Free Birth Control May Curb Abortions: Study
Access to IUDs, implants helped reduce unintended pregnancies, researchers say

• Frequent Eating in Kids Tied to <i>Less</i> Weight Gain
But this won't hold true with unhealthy foods, expert warns

• Frequent Moves Take Toll on Poor Kids, Study Suggests
Fallout anticipated from U.S. housing crisis, researcher says

• Frostbite in Children
Detailed information on frostbite, including symptoms and what to do if frostbite occurs

• Fungal Infections
Detailed information on fungal skin infections, including Candidiasis, Tinea Infections, and Tinea Versicolor

• Herpes Simplex Virus/Cold Sores
Detailed information on cold sores and herpes simplex virus 1

• Influenza (Flu) in Children
Influenza is a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory system. It's one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season, affecting up to 20 percent of Americans each year.