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Dandy-Walker Syndrome
Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a congenital condition where the cerebellum does not develop normally. The cerebellum is an area at the back of the brain that controls movement and balance. With DWS, parts of the cerebellum may never develop, may be very small, or may become filled with fluid.
Learn MoreDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that has formed in a large blood vessel. It may completely or partially block the blood flow in that vein. Symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling and feeling warm. In most cases, a DVT will be treated with an anticoagulation medicine.
Learn MoreDehydration
There are many reasons why children can get dried out or dehydrated. A child can lose too much liquid from the body from diarrhea, vomiting or fever. If the child has mouth sores or a bellyache, they may refuse to drink enough. Babies and younger children are at greater risk.
Learn MoreDelayed 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.
Learn MoreDelirium
Delirium is a serious disturbance in mental abilities. It involves changes in behavior, confused thinking, and reduced awareness of a person's surroundings. Delirium is a serious complication of medical illness.
Learn MoreDental Emergencies in Children
Learn about some common dental emergencies in children and guidelines for what to do.
Learn MoreDental Fillings (Restorations)
Teeth that have tooth decay must be repaired. Advances in dental materials and methods provide new, effective ways to restore teeth.
Learn MoreDental Health for Children- Overview
Generally, dental exams and cleanings are recommended every 6 months for children. Encourage good oral hygiene at home by helping your child brush their own teeth.
Learn MoreDental 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
Learn MoreDepression
Clinical depression in children includes several disorders: major depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and persistent depressive disorder.
Learn MoreDermatitis 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
Learn MoreDermoid Cyst
Dermoid cysts, also called epidermoid cysts or dermal/epidermal inclusion cysts, are masses in children and adults, most commonly found in the head, face, neck and upper chest. Dermoid cyst ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that is an alternative to surgically removing the dermoid cyst.
Learn MoreDermoid Cyst in Children
A dermoid cyst is a collection of tissue under the skin. It may contain hair follicles, oil, and sweat glands.
Learn MoreDetermining Body Mass Index for Teens
Although it is not a perfect measure, BMI gives a fairly accurate evaluation of how much of your teen's body is made up of fat.
Learn MoreDevelopmental Care for Babies in the NICU
Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb.
Learn MoreDevelopmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a term that includes several types of hip disorders that occur at different ages. DDH may be present at birth or may develop over time.
Learn MoreDevelopmental 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.
Learn MoreDiabetes During Pregnancy
Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't make enough insulin, or can't use insulin normally. Insulin is a hormone. It helps sugar (glucose) in the blood get into cells of the body to be used as fuel. When glucose can’t enter the cells, it builds up in the blood. This is called high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
Learn MoreDiabetes Index
Detailed information on diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, teens and diabetes, and diet and diabetes
Learn MoreDiabetes 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.”
Learn MoreDiabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as DKA, is a serious complication of diabetes. When cells do not have glucose to use for energy, the body starts to use fat for energy. Acids called ketones are made when fat is used for energy. If untreated, this leads to DKA and life-threatening problems.
Learn MoreDiabetes: MODY
MODY is the name given to a collection of different types of inherited forms of diabetes that usually develop in adolescence or early adulthood. MODY stands for “Maturity-onset diabetes of the young” and was given that name because it acted like an adult type of diabetes but was found in young people.
Learn MoreDiagnosing and Evaluating Heart Disease in Children
Detailed information on diagnosing and evaluating heart disease in children
Learn MoreDiagnosing Anemia in Children
Many problems caused by anemia can be prevented when it's diagnosed in children at an early stage. Learn what symptoms to look out for, as well as what tests are done for diagnosis.
Learn MoreDiagnosing Cancer
Many tests are needed to find out if a person has cancer, or if another condition is causing cancer symptoms.
Learn MoreDiagnostic Tests for Allergy in Children
Detailed information on allergy testing for children, including blood tests and skin tests.
Learn MoreDiagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders in Children
Detailed information on the most common diagnostic tests for neurological disorders in children
Learn MoreDialysis
Detailed information on dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis
Learn MoreDiamond Blackfan Anemia
Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare blood disorder that is usually diagnosed in children during their first year of life. Children with DBA do not make enough red blood cells – the cells that carry oxygen to all other cells in the body.
Learn MoreDiaper Dermatitis in Children
Diaper dermatitis is inflammation of the skin in the diaper area. It’s a very common condition in babies and toddlers.
Learn MoreDiaper Rash
Diaper rash (diaper dermatitis) is a red, sore rash that happens when urine and bowel movements irritate your baby's skin. The Helping Hand™ will teach you how to prevent and treat diaper rash.
Learn MoreDiapers and Diaper Rash
A core part of every baby's care is diapering. Read on for helpful information on changing diapers, preventing and treating diaper rash, and the pros and cons of cloth and disposable diapers.
Learn MoreDiaphragmatic 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.
Learn MoreDiarrhea
Diarrhea (loose, watery bowel movements) is a common problem in young children. It is usually caused by a virus. It can also be caused by bacteria, something that the child eats or drinks (like too much fruit juice) or starting a new medicine. It rarely means a child has a serious illness.
Learn MoreDiarrhea in Children
Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, your child may have a more serious problem. Read on to learn more.
Learn MoreDifficulty with Latching On or Sucking
Detailed information on problems with latching-on or sucking during breastfeeding, and how to handle them.
Learn MoreDiffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, also know as DIPG, is an aggressive, malignant brain tumor that develops in a part of the brainstem called the pons.
Learn MoreDiffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)
Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a rare, fast-growing tumor of the central nervous system that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. It affects up to 300 children annually. Most cases have no known cause and result from genetic changes that happen by chance.
Learn MoreDigestive and Liver Disorders
Detailed information on digestive and liver disorders during pregnancy
Learn MoreDigestive Disorders
Detailed information on the most common digestive disorders in high-risk newborns
Learn MoreDiphtheria in Children
A detailed look at diphtheria, including symptoms, treatment, and a vaccination schedule.
Learn MoreDiphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious illnesses. A combination vaccine is given to babies and children to provide protection against all three diseases.
Learn MoreDischarge from the Hospital
Learn what you can expect about hospital discharge after your child has minor surgery.
Learn MoreDiscipline
Detailed information on disciplining a child, including information on time-out, temper tantrum, lying, stealing, and television and children
Learn MoreDisciplining Your Child at Any Age
Each child is different, but most children need to be given clear rules about behavior. Read on for some discipline tips by age group.
Learn MoreDiscomforts and Complications After a Child Has Surgery
Common discomforts after surgery include nausea and vomiting, soreness in the throat, and restlessness or sleeplessness.
Learn MoreDiscussing 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.
Learn MoreDislocations 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.
Learn MoreDisorders Affecting Calcium Metabolism
Detailed information on disorders affecting calcium metabolism, including juvenile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and DiGeorge syndrome
Learn MoreDisorders 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
Learn MoreDisorders Affecting the Pituitary Gland
Detailed information on disorders affecting the pituitary gland, including posterior anterior disorders and anterior pituitary disorders
Learn MoreDisorders Affecting the Thyroid
Detailed information on disorders affecting the thyroid gland, including hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and hypothyroidism
Learn MoreDisorders of the Brain and Nervous System
Detailed information on the most common disorders of the brain and nervous system in high-risk newborns
Learn MoreDisruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD)
Children with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) show ongoing patterns of uncooperative and defiant behavior. The most common types of these disorders include disruptive behavior disorder not otherwise specified (DBD NOS), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD).
Learn MoreDistal Radius Buckle (Torus) Fracture
A distal radius buckle (torus) fracture causes one side of the bone to bend but does not actually break through the bone. It is an incomplete fracture that normally heals within 1 month.
Learn MoreDouble Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a congenital heart defect where the two great arteries are both attached to the right ventricle. In DORV, the normally separated oxygen-rich arterial blood and oxygen-poor venous blood is mixed prior to leaving the heart.
Learn MoreDouble-Inlet Left Ventricle
Double-inlet left ventricle (DILV) is a heart defect where both upper chambers send blood to one lower chamber, causing mixed blood flow to the body and lungs. Most babies with DILV will need many heart surgeries over their lifetime. Most surgeries are successful, but your child will need cardiology care for life.
Learn MoreDown Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Children
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that includes certain birth defects, learning problems, and facial features. Read on to learn more details about this disorder.
Learn MoreD-Transposition of the Great Vessels
D-Transposition of the great vessels (d-TGA) is a congenital heart defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched from their normal positions. Shortly after birth, babies with d-TGA are blue because not enough oxygen is getting to the body.
Learn MoreDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare condition defined by worsening muscle weakness and damage. It is the most common inherited neuromuscular disorder that affects all races and ethnicities. DMD only affects males and children with DMD may lose the ability to walk as early as 7 years of age.
Learn MoreDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Children
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic condition that weakens your child's muscles. It appears in young boys, usually between ages 2 and 5.
Learn MoreDuodenal Atresia
Duodenal atresia is a congenital condition where the duodenum is narrowed or blocked. The duodenum is the first part of the small bowel (intestine). This blockage keeps liquids and food from passing through the stomach into the rest of the intestine. The cause of duodenal atresia is not known.
Learn MoreDyskeratosis Congenita in Children
Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare disease that's present at birth. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.
Learn MoreDysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation)
A common reason patients experience painful menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhea, is because of inflammatory agents, called prostaglandins, which are released from the lining of the uterus during menstruation.
Learn MoreDysphagia 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.
Learn MoreDysthymia
Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression. Depression involves a child’s body, mood, and thoughts.
Learn MoreType 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition that occurs when your body makes little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and keeps blood glucose (sugar) at a normal level.
Learn MoreType 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when your body makes insulin but does not know how to use it well. This is called insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) get into cells and make energy. Currently, diabetes has no cure.
Learn More
Helping Hands Patient Education Materials
Written and illustrated by medical, nursing and allied health professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Helping Hand instructions are intended as a supplement to verbal instructions provided by a medical professional. The information is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect our current practice. However, Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information in the Helping Hands.