Health Library A to Z
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Care of the Baby 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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Cuts and Wounds of the Nose
Most minor nose wounds can be handled at home, but a wound or bruise that also involves one or both eyes needs immediate medical attention.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Newborns
CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a herpes virus. It is very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious problems in an unborn baby or newborn.
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Equipment That Is Used in the NICU
NICUs are equipped with complex machines and devices to monitor nearly every system of a baby's body - temperature, heart rate, breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and blood pressure.
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Fever in A Newborn
The system that controls body temperature is not well developed in a newborn. Here's what you need to know about fever and your baby.
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Gastrointestinal Problems
If your baby seems fussy and you've fed and changed him, he may have an upset stomach or colic. But don't worry, there are lots of things you can do to make your little one more comfortable and keep both of you calm.
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Keeping Your Baby Warm
Premature and low birthweight babies may be too immature to regulate their own temperature, even in a warm environment. Even full-term and healthy newborns may not be able to maintain their body temperature if the environment is too cold.
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Natal Teeth
Natal teeth are teeth that are present when a baby is born. The teeth are often not fully developed and may have a weak root.
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Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and sometimes kills the tissue in your baby’s colon.
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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Neonatal abstinence syndrome is what happens when babies are exposed to drugs in the uterus before birth. Babies can then go through drug withdrawal after birth.
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Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
Nephrotic syndrome is a problem where too much protein called albumin is released from the body into the urine. It means that one or both kidneys are damaged.
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Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor. It grows in nerve tissue of babies and young children. The cancer cells grow in young nerve cells of a baby growing in the womb. These cells are called neuroblasts. It’s is the most common cancer in babies under age 1. It’s rare in children older than age 10.
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Neurocutaneous Syndromes in Children
Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. The diseases are lifelong conditions that can cause tumors to grow in these areas. They can also cause other problems such as hearing loss, seizures, and developmental problems.
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Neurogenic Bladder in Children
Neurogenic bladder means the bladder doesn't work normally because of nerve damage. It causes a child to have problems with holding or releasing urine.
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Neurological Exam for Children
Is it time for your baby to have a full physical exam? Your pediatrician might want to conduct a "neuro exam." Don't worry, this series of tests designed to evaluate your child's nervous system is painless. Here's what it entails.
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Newborn Measurements
Your newborn will be weighed in the hospital and at all check-ups. In most cases, metric units are used to record babies' weight. This chart will help you convert the metric unit grams (g) to pounds (lb) and ounces (oz).
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Newborn Multiples
Because many multiples are small and born early, they may be initially cared for in a special care nursery called the neonatal intensive care unit.
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Newborn Screening Tests
A national program exists to screen all newborns for certain disorders within the first few days of life.
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Nightmares and Night Terrors
A night terror is a partial waking from sleep with behaviors such as screaming, kicking, panic, sleep walking, thrashing, or mumbling.
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Noninfectious Skin Conditions
Detailed information on non-infectious skin conditions, including dermatitis, acne, drug rashes, poison ivy/poison oak, and toxic epidermal necrolysis
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Nontraditional Inheritance
Detailed information on nontraditional inheritance, including uniparental disomy and Prader-Willi Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome, trinucleotide repeats and Fragile-X Syndrome, and mitochondrial inheritance and Leber's Optic Atrophy
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Normal Growth
A child's growth not only involves the length and weight of his or her body, but also internal growth and development.
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Nosebleed (Epistaxis) in Children
A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. Most nosebleeds in children occur in the front part of the nose close to the nostrils.
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Nursemaid’s Elbow in Children
Nursemaid's elbow is a type of elbow injury. It's when a forearm bone (radius) slips out of place from where it normally attaches to the elbow joint.
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Nutrition Index
Detailed nutrition information for mothers who are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and toddlers, preschool-aged children, school-aged children, and adolescents
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Physical Exam of the Newborn
A complete physical exam is an important part of newborn care. Each body system is carefully checked for signs of health and normal function.
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Preparing the Family
Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place after a baby is born. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
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Tests for a Newborn Baby in Intensive Care
Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) undergo regular testing so they get the important care they need. Here are several common lab tests. Ask your baby's healthcare provider about them.
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Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
Transient tachypnea of the newborn is a mild breathing problem. It affects babies during the first hours of life. Transient means it is short-lived. Tachypnea means fast breathing rate. The problem often goes away on its own in about 3 days.
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Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in the Newborn
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a problem that occurs in some newborns. It happens during the first few days of life. This condition used to be called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.