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Health Library A to Z

A

  • A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet
  • You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking your child by about 12 months at the latest. The dentist can provide or recommend preventative information regarding baby bottle tooth decay, infant feeding practices, mouth cleaning, teething, pacifier habits, and finger-sucking. habits.

  • About Cancer
  • Detailed information on cancer in children, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and coping

  • Abrasions
  • An abrasion is a superficial rub or wearing off of the skin, usually caused by a scrape or a brush burn. Abrasions are usually minor injuries that can be treated at home.

  • Achondroplasia in Children
  • Achondroplasia is a group of rare genetic (inherited) bone disorders. Achondroplasia is the most common type of what was once called dwarfism, in which the child's arms and legs are short in proportion to body length.

  • Acne in Children
  • Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Hair follicles are the areas around the base or root of each hair. Sebaceous glands are the tiny glands that release oil (sebum) into the hair follicles. The sebum moistens the skin and hair. The sebum and hair get to the skin surface through tiny holes called pores.

  • Acute Bronchitis in Children
  • Bronchitis is an inflammation of the large breathing tubes (bronchi) in the lungs. Short-term (acute) bronchitis means that the symptoms often develop quickly and don't last long.

  • Acute Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in Children
  • Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is when the spinal cord is damaged from an accident or other situation. An SCI may be a bruise (contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear (transection) in the spinal cord.

  • Adding to Mother's Milk
  • Your milk is best, but it's not always complete with the nutritional needs of very small premature babies or some very sick newborns.

  • Addison Disease in Children
  • Addison disease is when the adrenal glands don't make enough of 2 steroid hormones. The hormones are cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol controls the body's metabolism, blocks inflammatory reactions, and affects the immune system. Aldosterone manages sodium and potassium levels. Addison disease is fairly rare and may first appear at any age.

  • Adenovirus Infection in Children
  • Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that cause a variety of infections. These include the common cold, conjunctivitis, and croup.

  • Adjustment Disorders in Children
  • An adjustment disorder is an unhealthy emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event or change in a person's life. The response happens within 3 months of the stressful event.

  • Adolescent Health Problems and Injuries
  • Detailed information on adolescent health problems and injuries, including acne, asthma, breast conditions, breast self-examination, diabetes, eye care, eye safety, gynecological conditions, menstrual conditions, gynecologic problems, pap test, vaginitis, vulvitis, menstrual disorders, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), high blood pressure, infectious mononucleosis, obesity, oral health, orthodontics, braces, wisdom teeth extraction, periodontal disease, orthopedic problems, osgood schlatter disease, scoliosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, sexually transmitted diseases, safer sex guidelines, sports safety, sports injuries, sprains, strains, tennis elbow, mouthguards, heat related illness, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke

  • Airway Obstruction Index
  • Infants and children under age 4 are particularly at risk for choking on food or small objects because their upper airways are smaller, and they tend to explore things with their mouths.

  • Airway Obstruction: Prevention
  • Because most accidental child strangulations, chokings, and suffocations happen in the home, it's important to carefully childproof your residence.

  • All About LSD
  • LSD, also called acid, is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs.

  • All Family Time Is Quality Time
  • Quality time should be woven into our lives. As our children get older and slip away, we need to stop worrying about the extraordinary and think more about the ordinary."

  • Allergic Rhinitis in Children
  • Allergic rhinitis can happen on a seasonal basis or year-round. There is often a family history of allergic rhinitis, eczema, asthma, or food allergy. Read on to learn details about treating and managing this condition.

  • Allergies in Children
  • Allergies are problems of the immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a “false alarm.” Normally, the human body defends itself against harmful things, such as viruses or bacteria. But sometimes the defenses violently attack mostly mild things, such as dust, mold, or pollen.

  • Allergy
  • Detailed information on allergy, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

  • Alpha Thalassemia in Children
  • Alpha thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. This means it is passed down through the parent’s genes. It causes anemia in affected children. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Anaphylaxis in Children
  • Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction to an allergen. An allergen is something that your child is allergic to. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Your child can have a reaction within seconds or as long as an hour after contact.

  • Anemia in Children
  • Anemia is a common problem in children. A child who has anemia doesn't have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. Read on to learn more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Anemia in Pregnancy
  • Anemia is when your blood has too few red blood cells. Having too few red blood cells makes it harder for your blood to carry oxygen or iron. This can affect how cells work in nerves and muscles. During pregnancy, your baby also needs your blood.

  • Anencephaly in Children
  • Anencephaly is a birth defect that affects the brain and skull bones. With this condition, the brain isn't fully formed. It often lacks part or all of the cerebrum.

  • Animal Bites
  • Detailed information on animal bites and rabies, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

  • Anomalous Coronary Artery in Children
  • An anomalous coronary artery (ACA) is a heart defect. This is something your baby is born with (congenital). In ACA, the blood vessels that supply blood to your child’s heart muscle aren’t normal.

  • Anorectal Malformation in Children
  • Anorectal malformations are birth defects, or problems that happen as an unborn baby is developing during pregnancy. With this defect, the anus and rectum don’t develop properly. They are the lower part of the digestive tract.

  • Anorexia Nervosa in Children
  • Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. It is a form of self-starvation. Children and teens with this health problem have a distorted body image. They think they weigh too much.

  • Anxiety Disorders in Children
  • Detailed information on the most common types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias

  • Aortic Stenosis in Children
  • Aortic stenosis means that your child has a heart valve that is too narrow or is blocked.  The aortic valve is 1 of 4 heart valves that keep blood flowing through the heart. The valves make sure blood flows in only one direction. The aortic valve keeps blood flowing from the left ventricle to the aorta.

  • Aplastic Anemia in Children
  • Aplastic anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Read on for details about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Apnea of Prematurity
  • Apnea is a term that means breathing has stopped for more than 20 seconds. It can happen in full-term babies, but it is more common in premature babies. The more premature the baby, the greater the chances that apnea will occur.

  • Appendicitis in Children
  • Appendicitis is a painful swelling and infection of the appendix.  It is a medical emergency. The appendix can burst or rupture. This is serious and can lead to more infection. If not treated, it can be fatal.

  • Arrhythmias in Children
  • An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. In an arrhythmia, abnormal electrical signals through the heart muscle may cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. Read on to learn more.

  • Asthma in Children
  • Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease that causes your child's airways to become sensitive to certain things (triggers).

  • Asthma in Children Index
  • Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment

  • Atopic Dermatitis in Children
  • Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition. It causes dry, itchy skin. It’s a very common condition in babies and children. It often first appears between ages 3 and 6 months.

  • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Children
  • The atrial septum is the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart (right and left atria). An atrial septal defect (ASD) is an abnormal hole in this wall. ASD is a heart problem that is present at birth (congenital). Read on for details about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Atrioventricular (AV) Canal Defect in Children
  • An atrioventricular (AV) canal defect is a congenital heart defect. This means that your child is born with it. These defects may range from partial to complete. These conditions cause oxygen-rich (red) blood and oxygen-poor (blue) blood to mix. This sends extra blood to the child's lungs.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children
  • Autism spectrum disorder is a problem that affects a child's nervous system and growth and development. It often shows up during a child's first 3 years of life.

  • Cognitive Development in Adolescence
  • Cognitive development means the growth of a child's ability to think and reason. This growth happens differently from ages 6 to 12, and ages 12 to 18.

  • Corneal Abrasions in Children
  • A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea. This is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Learn details about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Facts About Animal Bites and Scratches
  • Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can become infected and cause scarring. Animals can also carry diseases that can be transmitted through a bite.

  • Gestational Age Assessment
  • It's not always easy to tell a newborn's age by their size. Premature babies are usually small, but full-term and past-term babies can be small, too. That's when healthcare providers will do a gestational assessment to determine if a newborn needs special treatment.

  • Insect Stings and Allergic Reactions in Children
  • For most children, the reaction to a sting is brief, with redness and swelling followed by pain and itching. Others may have an allergic reaction that is life-threatening. Read on for details.

  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a form of arthritis in children. Arthritis causes joint swelling (inflammation) and joint stiffness. JIA is arthritis that affects 1 or more joints for at least 6 weeks in a child age 16 or younger.

  • Mood Disorders in Teens
  • Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. But mood disorders are more intense. They are harder to handle than normal feelings of sadness. Read on to learn more about these types of disorders in teens.

  • Newborn Appearance
  • Newborns have many variations in normal appearance, from their skin color to the shape of their head. Here's a look at some of the normal variations you can expect.

  • Pain Control After Your Child's Surgery
  • If your child has moderate to severe pain, they may receive narcotics during and after surgery. If your child is in the ICU after surgery, they may receive sedatives along with pain medicines.

  • Phobias in Children
  • A phobia is an excessive fear of a certain object or situation. It's a fear that lasts for at least 6 months. It is a type of anxiety disorder. Here's what you need to know.

  • Psoriatic Arthritis in Children
  • Psoriatic arthritis is a rare form of arthritis or joint inflammation that affects both skin and joints. Read on to learn about this condition in children, from causes and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.

  • Puberty: Adolescent Female
  • Girls experience puberty as a sequence of events, and their pubertal changes usually begin before boys of the same age. The first pubertal change in girls usually is breast development.

  • Your Child's Asthma
  • How asthma will affect a child throughout their lifetime varies, depending on the child.