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Molds in the Environment What is mold? A mold is a microscopic fungus that grows and lives on plant or animal matter. It can also live on nonorganic objects. Most molds are made up of filaments. They reproduce through the production of spores. Spores spread by air, water, or

Making the Home Environment Safe What's involved in making the home environment safe? When caring at home for an ill, aging, or disabled person of any age, it's important to think about home safety. Print out this helpful checklist. Then use it to check for safety issues around

Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn What is necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn? Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious, life-threatening illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the mucus lining of the intestines gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and

Watching Your Weight Why do you need to watch your weight? According to the CDC, more than 7 in 10 U.S. adults older than age 20 are either overweight or obese. Why is excess weight a concern? It may cause new health problems or worsen ones you already have. Staying at a healthy

Effects of Stroke What are the effects of stroke? The effects of stroke vary from person to person. They are based on the type, severity, location, and number of strokes the person has. The brain is very complex. Each part of the brain has a certain function or ability. When an

Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy What is neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy? Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage. It’s caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth. It affects the central nervous system. Babies

Psoriasis What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition. It causes inflamed, red, raised areas of skin (plaques). The plaques itch and can be painful. The condition most often occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. What causes psoriasis

Acute Spinal Cord Injury What is an acute spinal cord injury (SCI)? The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury. The injury may cause a bruise (contusion)

Water Safety for Parents The importance of water safety Most drownings happen in residential swimming pools. But children can drown in just 1 inch of water (such as in buckets, bathtubs, wading pools, diaper pails, toilets, hot tubs, and spas). In addition, open waters, such as

Liver Transplant for Children What is a liver transplant for children? A liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. The new liver may come from an organ donor who has just died. A liver transplant may also come from a healthy