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Stridor in Children What is stridor in children? Stridor is a noisy or high-pitched sound with breathing. It's a sign that the upper airway is partially blocked. It may involve the nose, mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), or windpipe (trachea). What causes stridor in a child

Kyphosis in Children What is kyphosis in children? Kyphosis is a deformity of the backbone (spine). It’s when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) in the upper back curve outward more than they should. A child with kyphosis has a back that is abnormally rounded or humpback. The

Contact Dermatitis in Children What is contact dermatitis in children? Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction from contact with certain substances. The substances may be: Irritants. These cause direct skin irritation and inflammation. They are the most common cause of contact

Inguinal Hernia in Children What is an inguinal hernia in children? A hernia occurs when a part of the intestine or other abdominal tissue pushes through a weakness in the belly (abdominal) muscles. A soft bulge shows up under the skin where the hernia is. A hernia in the groin

Megaureter in Children What is megaureter in children? Megaureter is a ureter that is much wider than normal. The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. A ureter that is wider than 3/8 inch is a megaureter. A megaureter may not drain urine

Precocious Puberty What is precocious puberty? Puberty that happens early is called precocious puberty. This means a child's physical signs of sexual maturity develop too soon. This includes breast growth, pubic hair, and voice changes. These are known as secondary sexual

Addison Disease in Children What is Addison disease in a child? Addison disease, also called primary adrenal insufficiency, is when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the "stress" hormone called cortisol. Cortisol controls metabolism, blocks inflammatory reactions, and

Hyperparathyroidism in Children What is hyperparathyroidism in children? Hyperparathyroidism is when the parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone. The condition is rare in children. The parathyroid glands are 4 tiny glands located on the back of the thyroid. The

Congenital Hypothyroidism in Children What is congenital hypothyroidism? When the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone, it's called hypothyroidism. Congenital hypothyroidism is when the disorder is present in a baby at birth. If not treated, it can lead to serious

Psychological Complications of Chronic Illness Being a teen is stressful even for physically healthy teens. Chronic illness at this age can complicate development. The illness, treatment, and hospital stays all magnify concerns about how a teen looks. They also interfere with