Conditions We Treat

Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery

Because babies born by cesarean may have difficulty clearing some of the lung fluid and mucus, extra suctioning of the nose, mouth, and throat are often needed.

Baby's Care After a Vaginal Delivery

Healthy babies born in a vaginal delivery are usually able to stay with the mother. In many cases, immediate newborn evaluations are performed right in the mother's room.

Baby's Care After Birth

Detailed information on baby's care after birth

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.

Bacterial Endocarditis in Children

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium), and the heart valves. It does not happen very often, but when it does, it can cause serious heart damage.

Bacterial Skin Infections in Children

Detailed information on bacterial skin infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, scarlet fever, folliculitis, boils, carbuncles, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection of the vagina. Females of any age can have it and you do not have to be sexually active to get bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis or BV is an infection of the vagina. BV is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is an overgrowth of specific anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that do not need oxygen to grow) in the vagina. Women with BV report a fishy-smelling discharge (fluid) that is white to gray in color.

Bartholin’s Cyst

Girls have two Bartholin glands that are located just inside the opening of the vagina. The glands produce fluid that lubricates the vagina. A Bartholin gland cyst forms when the opening of the gland becomes blocked and the fluid cannot get out.

Bathing and Skin Care for the Newborn

Bath time is a great time to bond with your newborn while keeping his or her skin healthy and cuddly soft. Get the fact - îand proper supplies - to make these moments safe and enjoyable for both you and baby.

Batten Disease

Batten Disease, also known as Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten disease, is the most common form of a group of disorders called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (or NCLs). Although Batten disease is usually regarded as the juvenile form of NCL, it has become the term which encompasses all forms of NCL.

Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Becker muscular dystrophy is the same basic disease as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, except it is less common and the symptoms are milder and slower to progress. It only affects males. Once symptoms begin, they follow a slower, but similar, course to that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Behavior Changes

Your baby's activity level, appetite, and cries normally vary from day to day, and even hour to hour. But a distinct change in any of these areas may signal illness.

Behavior Disorders

Detailed information on behavior problems in adolescents, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder

Benign Skin Growths and Pigmentation Disorders

Detailed information on benign skin growths and pigmentation disorders in children

Benign Skin Growths in Children

Detailed information on benign skin growths, including dermatofibromas, dermoid cyst, freckles, keloids, lipomas, moles, atypical moles, pyogenic granulomas

Beta Thalassemia in Children

Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. This means it is passed down through the parent’s genes. It is a form of anemia. Anemia is a low red blood cell or low hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is part of red blood cells. It carries oxygen to organs, tissues, and cells. Beta thalassemia affects the production of hemoglobin.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) is an irregularity in the heart where there are only two leaflets on a valve, instead of the normal three.

Bicycle / In-Line Skating / Skateboarding Safety

Detailed information on bicycle, in-line skating, and skateboarding safety

Bicycling, Inline Skating, Skateboarding, and Scooter Safety—Prevention

Read on for specific safety and injury prevention tips for wheel sports--from biking and inline skating to skateboarding and scooters.

Bifid Uvula

A bifid uvula, also known as a cleft uvula, is a uvula that is split in two. A bifid uvula may be an isolated finding or it may be related to submucous cleft palate. In cases of isolated bifid uvula, and in cases of submucous cleft palate without hypernasality, no surgical intervention is needed.

Bilateral Renal Agenesis

Bilateral renal agenesis (BRA) is a rare and life-limiting condition in which the baby’s kidneys never develop. BRA is usually diagnosed during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there currently is not a cure for bilateral renal agenesis. These babies usually only live for a few hours after birth.

Biliary Atresia in Children

Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that occurs in infants. It is often found shortly after birth. The disorder affects tubes in the liver called bile ducts. If not treated with surgery, it can be fatal.

Biophysical Profile

A biophysical profile is a test that is sometimes used during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is often done if there is a question about the baby’s health. This may be because of other test results or certain pregnancy symptoms, or because your pregnancy is high risk.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depression, is a chronic mental illness that causes extreme mood swings from high to low.

Bipolar Disorder in Teens

Bipolar disorder is a type of depression. A teen with bipolar disorder often has extreme mood swings. These mood swings go beyond the day's normal ups and downs.

Birth Defects in Children

A birth defect is a health problem or abnormal physical change that is present when a baby is born. Birth defects can be very mild, where the baby looks and acts like any other baby. Or birth defects can be more severe. Read on to learn more.

Birth Defects in Newborn Babies

Birth defects may be caused by inherited (genetic) problems or by environmental things, such as exposure to certain toxic substances during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be linked to a direct cause. Other reasons are not as clear.

Birth Defects Index

Detailed information on birth defects, including their cause and frequency

Birth Injuries

Some babies have a more difficult trip through the birth canal than others, resulting in physical injuries. These injuries usually are not serious and clear up or improve within a few days or weeks after the birth.

Birth Injury

Detailed information on birth injury, including the most common types.

Birthmarks

Detailed information on birthmarks and the different types, including vascular birthmarks, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains.

Birthmarks

More than 80 percent of babies have some type of birthmark. Most birthmarks are harmless and require no treatment. Vascular birthmarks include macular stains, hemangiomas and port wine stains. Pigmented birthmarks include congenital melanocytic nevi (moles), dermal melanosis and café-au-lait spots.

Bites

Detailed information on bites, including human bites, animal bites, and insect bites

Bites and Stings

Detailed information on insect bites, including bee stings, flea bites, mite bites, chigger bites, spider bites, tick bites, and lyme disease

Biting

Young children may bite others out of frustration or stress, or because they feel powerless. Infants and toddlers often bite as a way of exploring their world.

Black Eye (Ecchymosis)

A black eye should be seen by a healthcare provider to make sure no injury has happened to the eye itself. Most black eyes heal completely and don't cause any damage.

Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Bladder outlet obstruction, also known as lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), is a rare birth defect characterized by a partial or complete blockage in the urethra. There are several types of bladder outlet obstruction, including urethral atresia, posterior urethral valves, and triad syndrome.

Bleeding Disorders

Detailed information on bleeding disorders, including Hemophilia and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura

Blepharitis in Children

Blepharitis is an inflammation in the oil glands of the eyelid. It causes swollen eyelids and crusting around the eyelashes. Even after it’s treated and goes away, it can often come back again and again for years. It can often lead to an infection of the eye and a loss of eyelashes.

Blisters in Children

Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first aid, and treatment.

Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis) in Children

In some children, the openings into the tear duct don’t form the right way. This causes a blockage. The tears have no place to drain. Learn more about how this condition can affect your child, and how it's treated.

Blood Circulation in the Fetus and Newborn

During pregnancy, the fetal lungs are not used for breathing - the placenta does the work of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide through the mother's circulation. With the first breaths of air the baby takes at birth, the fetal circulation changes.

Blood Clots

Blood Clotting Disorders in Children

Blood-clotting disorders are a group of conditions in which there is too much clotting. They are often inherited.

Blood in the Eye (Hyphema) in Children

Hyphema is blood in the front (anterior) chamber of the eye. This is located between the clear front part of the eye (cornea) and the colored part of the eye (iris). Read on to learn more about what to do when your child has blood in their eye.

Blood Tests and Your Child's Heart

Detailed information on blood tests used to diagnosis heart disease.

Blood Types in Pregnancy

A baby may have the blood type and Rh factor of either parent, or a combination of both parents.

Bone Cancers in Children

Detailed information on bone cancer in children, including Ewing sarcoma and osteogenic sarcoma

Bone Marrow

Detailed information on bone marrow and bone marrow transplantation in children

Bone Marrow Suppression During Cancer Treatment in Children

Bone marrow suppression is when fewer blood cells are made in the marrow. It's a common side effect of some strong medicines, such as chemotherapy.

Bone Marrow Transplant for Children

A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a treatment for children with certain types of cancer or other diseases. The goal of BMT is to replace a child's diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.

Bone Marrow: Transplant Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease

This Helping Hand™ explains how after someone has a bone marrow transplant, the donated bone marrow or stem cells can attack healthy tissue in a patient’s body.

Bottle-Feeding

Detailed information on bottle-feeding, including information on the different types of baby formulas.

Brachial Plexus

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that separates into the major nerves that supply movement and touch function to the arm.

Brain Abscess in Children

An abscess is a pocket of infection. In the brain, an abscess may be in one or more areas. This condition may cause problems with how the brain and spinal cord function. It is a serious and life-threatening condition that needs to be treated right away.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children. Primary brain tumors start in the brain and usually do not spread outside the brain tissue.

Brain Tumors in Children

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also includes the spinal cord.

Branchial Cleft Abnormalities in Children

A branchial cleft abnormality is a cluster of abnormally formed tissue in the neck. A branchial cleft abnormality is a birth defect. It happens when the area doesn't form as it should during the early stages of an embryo’s development.

Breast Asymmetry

Breast asymmetry in teenage females is common. In certain situations, the asymmetry may be significant and may lead to decreased body image, and difficulty finding clothes that fit. Treatment may include surgery. The type of surgery varies based on patient wishes and surgeon assessment.

Breast Conditions in Young Women

Some breast changes or conditions are related to a young woman's menstrual cycle, but others may occur at any time. Most breast conditions are benign.

Breast Health and Adolescents

Detailed information on breast health for children

Breast Milk Collection and Storage

Detailed information on breast milk collection and storage

Breast Milk Expression

Most mothers who plan to continue breastfeeding will need to express their breast milk during the work or school day if away from the baby for more than three or four hours.

Breastfeeding and Delayed Milk Production

If your milk is delayed coming in, or you're not making enough milk, don't give up. Read on for some helpful tips.

Breastfeeding and Returning To Work

Detailed information on breastfeeding while at work

Breastfeeding at Work

Having your employer's support is important to successfully continue breastfeeding. Here's what you need to know about pumping breastmilk at work.

Breastfeeding Difficulties - Baby

Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the baby, including ineffective latch-on, ineffective sucking, slow infant weight gain, poor infant weight gain, mismanaged breastfeeding, over-active breast milk let down

Breastfeeding Difficulties - Mother

Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the mother, including sore nipples, low breast milk production, flat nipples, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis

Breastfeeding the High-Risk Newborn

Detailed information on breastfeeding the high-risk newborn

Breastfeeding When Returning to Work

Helpful advice on how to maintain your milk production when going back to work.

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Click on the links below to learn more about this topic. Breast Milk is the Best Milk Getting Started How Milk is Made Effective Breastfeeding Effective Sucking Breastfeeding Difficulties - Mother Sore Nipples Insufficient or Delayed Milk Production Low Milk Production Flat or Inverted Nipples

Breastfeeding Your High-Risk Baby

Learning to breastfeed effectively is a process that may take days or weeks for premature and many other high-risk babies. But you and your baby can become a breastfeeding team if you are patient and persistent.

Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby

Breastfeeding your premature infant is not only possible, it's the best thing for your baby.

Breastfeeding: Getting Started

The first weeks of breastfeeding should be considered a learning period for both you and your baby. Here's what you need to know.

Breastfeeding: Returning to Work

It's important to give yourself enough time to practice pumping and get your body used to pumping before you return to work. Read on for some helpful tips.

Breastmilk Is Best

Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients in a form most easily used by your baby's immature body systems.

Breastmilk: Pumping, Collecting, Storing

"Fresh breastmilk" contains the most active anti-infective properties. Refrigerated breastmilk has fewer anti-infective properties than fresh milk and frozen breastmilk has the least.

Breathing Problems

If you listen closely, you'll notice that your baby's breathing isn't like yours. Babies breathe much more frequently and with different patterns than adults. Here's how to recognize normal breathing in your infant - and how to spot signs of respiratory distress.

Broken Bone

Bronchiolitis

This Helping Hand™ covers bronchiolitis, which is an infection of the small airways (bronchioles) caused by a virus. The most common viruses that cause it are RSV, para influenza virus, rhinovirus (common cold), human metapneumovirus and adenovirus. Bronchiolitis is also often called "RSV infection."

Bronchiolitis in Children

Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lungs. It's when your child has swelling in the smaller airways (bronchioles) of the lung. This swelling blocks air in the smaller airways.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

This Helping Hand™ covers bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which is a term used to describe long-term breathing problems for premature babies. It involves abnormal development of the lungs, and sometimes the lungs are scarred and inflamed.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a term used to describe long-term breathing problems for premature babies. BPD involves abnormal development of the lungs, and in the most severe cases the lungs are scarred and inflamed. Symptoms can include respiratory distress and assisted breathing.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in Premature Babies

Chronic lung disease is the general term for long-term breathing problems in premature babies. It’s also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Here's what you need to know about this condition.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is the examination of the main airways of the lungs using a flexible tube. It helps assess and diagnose lung problems, assess blockages, take samples of tissue or fluid, or help remove a foreign body.

Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spider Bites in Children

Most spiders in the U.S. are poisonous. The fangs of most spiders are too short or too fragile to break through human skin. Or their poison (venom) is too weak to cause damage. Most spider bites cause only minor, local reactions. But bites from the black widow and the brown recluse spiders can cause serious problems. Read on to learn more.

Bruises

A bruise is a collection of blood underneath the skin that is caused by injury to an area of the body. Sometimes enough bleeding occurs so that a lump also forms.

Brushing and Toothpaste for Children

Read on to learn how to help your child care for their teeth correctly, from the type of toothbrush and toothpaste to use, to tips on how to brush their teeth.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder in which a person regularly eats excessive amounts of food and then attempts to eliminate the consequences of overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively.

Burkitt Lymphoma in Children

Burkitt lymphoma is a rare, fast-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It’s a type of cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps to fight diseases and infections.

Burkitt's Lymphoma

Burkitt's Lymphoma/Burkitt's Like Lymphoma

Burners and Stingers Syndrome in Children

Burners and stingers syndrome is a type of sports injury. It is a pain in the shoulder or neck that causes a burning or stinging feeling down an arm to the hand.

Burns Caused by Heat

Detailed information about how to care for your child's heat-induced burn.

Burns: Symptom Management

Most children with burns have pain, which can be controlled with medicine. They also usually experience itching at some point during the healing process.

Bursitis

Bursitis is swelling or irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between tendons, ligaments, bones, and skin.