Health Library A to Z
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22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome in Children
22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a genetic disorder that can cause many health problems. These problems may range from heart defects and developmental delays to seizures.
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Baby's Care in the Delivery Room
A newborn baby is wet from the amniotic fluid and can easily become cold. Drying the baby and using warm blankets and heat lamps can help prevent heat loss. Often a knitted hat is placed on the baby's head.
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Delayed Puberty
Puberty that happens late is called delayed puberty. This means a child's physical signs of sexual maturity don’t appear by age 12 in girls or age 14 in boys. This includes breast or testicle growth, pubic hair, and voice changes. These are known as secondary sexual characteristics.
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Dental Emergencies
One type of dental emergency is a knocked-out tooth. If it's a permanent tooth, rinse it and place it back in the socket. Then immediately take your child to the dentist.
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Dental Health Overview
Generally, dental examinations and cleanings are recommended every six months for children. Encourage good oral hygiene at home by helping your child brush his or her own teeth.
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Dental Procedures for Children
Detailed information on the most common dental procedures, including braces, bleaching, bridges, dentures, dental implants, fillings, root canal, sealants, and wisdom teeth extraction
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Dental Restorations (Fillings)
Teeth that have tooth decay must be repaired. Advances in dental materials and techniques provide new, effective ways to restore teeth.
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Dermatitis in Children
Detailed information on dermatitis, including the different types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis
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Dermoid Cyst in Children
A dermoid cyst is a collection of tissue under the skin. It may contain hair follicles, oil, and sweat glands.
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Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children
In a normal hip joint, the top (head) of the thighbone (femur) fits snugly into the hip socket. In a child with DDH, the hip socket is shallow. As a result, the head of the femur may slip in and out.
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Diabetes Index
Detailed information on diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, teens and diabetes, and diet and diabetes
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Diabetes Insipidus in Children
Diabetes insipidus is a condition caused by not enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. ADH is also known as vasopressin. This is a hormone that helps the kidneys keep the correct amount of water in the body. The condition is also called “water diabetes.”
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Dialysis
Detailed information on dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis
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Diaper Dermatitis in Children
Diaper dermatitis is inflammation of the skin in the diaper area. It’s a very common condition in babies and toddlers.
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Diapers and Diaper Rash
You have 2 choices in diapers--cloth or disposable. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Decide which works best for your child and family.
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Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect. It happens in a baby during pregnancy. In this condition, there’s an opening in your baby’s diaphragm. This is the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
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Diet and Diabetes
It is important to learn about proper meal-planning when your child has diabetes. The type and amount of food your child eats affects his/her blood sugar levels.
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Diphtheria in Children
A detailed look at diphtheria, including symptoms, treatment, and a vaccination schedule.
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Discharge from the Hospital
Even after minor surgery, some children will remain in the hospital overnight for observation and to receive medicines to help with pain or to prevent infection.
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Discipline
Detailed information on disciplining a child, including information on time-out, temper tantrum, lying, stealing, and television and children
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Discussing Death with Children
The ultimate goal in discussing death with a dying child is to optimize his or her comfort and alleviate any fears. If the child is not ready to discuss death, the most helpful step parents can take is to wait until he or she is ready.
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Dislocations in Children
A dislocation is a joint injury. It occurs when the ends of 2 connected bones come apart. Dislocations happen more often among teens.
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Disorders Affecting Calcium Metabolism
Detailed information on disorders affecting calcium metabolism, including juvenile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and DiGeorge syndrome
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Disorders Affecting the Adrenal Glands
Detailed information on disorders affecting the adrenal glands, including underactive adrenal glands (Addison's disease), overactive adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome), and pheochromocytoma
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Disorders Affecting the Thyroid
Detailed information on disorders affecting the thyroid gland, including hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and hypothyroidism
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Disorders of Sex Development
When a child's gender is in question at birth, the child has atypical genitalia (ambiguous genitalia). This means that the genitals don't seem to be clearly male or female.
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Dysphagia in Children
Dysphagia means trouble swallowing. This condition happens when food or liquids can’t pass easily from your child’s mouth, into the throat, down the esophagus, and into the stomach when swallowing.
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Flat Head Syndrome (Deformational Plagiocephaly)
Flat head syndrome (deformational plagiocephaly) is when a baby's head develops a lasting flat spot. The flat spot may be either on one side of the head or on the back of the head. This happens when a baby sleeps in the same position most of the time or because of problems with the neck muscles.
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General Principles of Discipline
Most children need to be given consistent, clear rules and expectations about behavior. Discipline needs to begin as soon as the child is mobile—pulling up and crawling.
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Medicine Rashes in Children
Medicine rashes are the body’s reaction to a certain medicine. The type of rash that occurs depends on the type of medicine that is causing it. Rashes can range from mild to severe.
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The Growing Child: 10 to 12 Months
Your child now says da-da and ma-ma, and possibly 2 other words, as well. He or she can also make a simple gesture, such as shaking the head.
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The Growing Child: 1-Year-Olds
Your child is a toddler now and very active! He or she can climb stairs while holding on and play with push and pull toys.
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The Growing Child: 2-Year-Olds
Speech at this age is becoming clearer. Your child has a vocabulary of 200 to 300 words and can tell his or her age and name.
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The Growing Child: 3-Year-Olds
Most 3-year-olds have lost the rounded tummy of a toddler. Your child can use a spoon well and can wash and dry his or her hands.
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The Growing Child: Newborn
A helpful look at what to expect with your newborn—from your baby's growth and reflexes to crying and emotional development.