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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

Overview of Craniofacial Anomalies What are craniofacial anomalies? Craniofacial anomalies (CFA) are a variety of deformities in the growth of the head and facial bones. Anomaly is a medical term meaning different from normal. These abnormalities are present at birth (congenital)

Nightmares and Night Terrors What are night terrors? A night terror is a partial waking from sleep with behaviors such as screaming, kicking, panic, sleep walking, thrashing, or mumbling. They are harmless, and each episode will end in deep sleep. They tend to occur in children

Newborn Screening Tests What are newborn screening tests? The United States has a national program of newborn screening tests. These check for health disorders that can be treated if they're found very early in life. If the screening test results are abnormal, it means more tests

Understanding Risks of a Multiple Pregnancy Why is a multiple pregnancy a concern? A multiple pregnancy means being pregnant with more than one baby. It is often a happy event for many couples. But multiple pregnancy has higher risks for complications. The most common problems

Preventing Obesity in Children, Teens, and Adults Facts about obesity Obesity is a long-term (chronic) health condition that can affect people at any age, including children, teens, and adults. It develops over time and is influenced by more than just day-to-day choices. Body

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes You may have heard that people with diabetes are at risk for many health complications, including cardiovascular disease. As it turns out, cardiovascular disease is especially common among people with diabetes. Most people with type 2 diabetes

Cancer and Tobacco How are tobacco and cancer linked? Using tobacco makes it more likely that you will get cancer. This includes lung, mouth, throat, bladder, and other cancers. In fact, 1 out of 5 people with cancer in the U.S. got it from smoking. All tobacco products, such as

Anatomy and Function of the Urinary System How does the urinary system work? The body takes nutrients from food and changes them to energy. After the body has taken the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The kidney and

Anemia and Chemotherapy Anemia is a potential side effect of chemotherapy (chemo). It's a condition that involves a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in your body. These are the cells that carry oxygen to other cells all over your body. Chemotherapy can damage your