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Polio (Poliomyelitis) What is polio? Poliomyelitis is commonly called polio. It's an infectious disease. It is caused by 1 of 3 types of poliovirus. Polio is easily spread from person to person. The poliovirus is a virus that can cause paralysis. But most people who are infected

Urinary Incontinence What is urinary incontinence? Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control. You may not be able to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. It may be a short-term problem caused by another health issue. Or it may be a long-term problem that

Birth Defects in Children What is a birth defect in a child? A birth defect (congenital anomaly) 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

Urinary Incontinence (Enuresis) in Children What is enuresis in children? Urinary incontinence (enuresis) is the loss of bladder control. In children younger than age 3, it’s normal to not have full bladder control. As children get older, they become more able to control their

Anomalous Coronary Artery in Children What is an ACA in a child? 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. In some cases, the

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children What is type 1 diabetes in children? Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't make enough insulin, or can't use insulin normally. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. The body's immune system damages the cells in the pancreas that

Chickenpox What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a common childhood disease. It causes an itchy, blistering rash and is easily spread to others. Until the varicella vaccine for chickenpox became available in 1995, chickenpox infection was very common. Almost everyone had been

Kawasaki Disease in Children What is Kawasaki disease in children? Kawasaki disease is a rare illness that most commonly affects children ages 0 to 5, but it can sometimes affect children up to the age of 13. It is a type of vasculitis. Vasculitis means inflammation of the blood

Intussusception in Children What is intussusception in children? Intussusception is a serious problem in the intestine. It occurs when 1 part of the intestine slides inside another part. The intestine then folds into itself like a telescope. This creates a blockage or obstruction

Inguinal and Umbilical Hernias in Children What are hernias in children? A hernia is when a part of the intestine or other tissue pushes through an opening in the belly (abdominal) muscles. The hernia creates a soft lump or bulge under the skin. In children, a hernia often