hat Is Albinism? Albinism is an inherited condition that leads to someone having very light skin, hair, and eyes. It happens because they have less melanin than usual in their body. Melanin gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. Except for vision problems, most people with albinism are just as healthy as anyone else. What …
What Are Adenoids? Adenoids are a patch of tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage. Like tonsils, adenoids help keep the body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that we breathe in or swallow. Adenoids (AD-eh-noyds) do important work as infection fighters for babies and young children. But they become less important as a child …
What Are Night Terrors? Most parents have comforted their child after the occasional nightmare. But if your child has ever had what’s known as a night terror (or sleep terror), his or her fear was likely inconsolable, no matter what you tried. A night terror is a sleep disruption that seems similar to a nightmare, but …
What Is a Hydrocele? A hydrocele (HI-dro-seel) is a pouch of fluid around the testicle inside the scrotum. Hydroceles are common in newborns, especially in premature babies. Older boys and men can get them too. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Hydrocele? A boy with a hydrocele has a bulge in the groin or scrotum. You …
What Is Apnea of Prematurity? Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is when a premature (or preterm) baby: pauses breathing for more than 15 to 20 seconds or pauses breathing for less than 15 seconds, but has a slow heart rate or low oxygen level After they’re born, babies must breathe continuously to get oxygen. In a premature …
What Is ADHD? ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships. What Are the Signs of ADHD? All …
What Is Hematuria? When blood gets into urine (pee), it’s called hematuria (hee-ma-TUR-ee-uh). It’s pretty common and usually not serious. There are two types of hematuria: Microscopic hematuria is when blood in the urine can be seen only with a microscope. Often, this goes away without causing any problems. In fact, people might never know they …
What Is Anemia? Anemia is when the number of red blood cells in the body gets too low. Red blood cells carry hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin), a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough of them, oxygen doesn’t get to the body’s organs. Without enough oxygen, the organs can’t work normally. There are many different kinds of anemia, …
What Is 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DiGeorge Syndrome)? 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a genetic condition that some babies are born with. A genetic condition happens when there is a problem with a part of a child’s DNA. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome can affect many different systems in the body. The problems it causes can range in severity. 22q11.2 deletion …
What Is an Antegrade Continence Enema (ACE)? An antegrade continence enema is a different way to give an enema. Enemas can help someone poop if they become constipated or have another problem moving their bowels. The most common type of enema (EN-eh-muh) puts liquid directly into the rectum, the last part of the large intestine, …
