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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

High Blood Pressure/Hypertension What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. The force is made with each heartbeat as blood is pumped from the heart into the blood vessels. This is called systolic blood pressure. Blood

X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia in Children What is X-linked agammaglobulinemia in children? X-linked agammaglobulinemia is a rare genetic disease. It causes a weakened immune system. It is also known as Bruton's agammaglobulinemia. X-linked means that the gene that causes this

Allergies in Children What are allergies in children? Allergies are problems of the immune system. Most allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to a “false alarm.” Normally, the human body defends itself against harmful things, such as viruses or bacteria. But

Gestational Diabetes What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by having too little insulin. Instead, hormones made by your placenta keep your body from using

Truncus Arteriosus (TA) What is truncus arteriosus? Truncus arteriosus is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital). It happens when there is an abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Normally, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are separate. In

Anemia in Children What is anemia in children? Anemia is a common problem in children. About 20% of children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with anemia at some point. A child who has anemia doesn't have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a type of protein that

Psoriatic Arthritis in Children What is psoriatic arthritis in children? Psoriatic arthritis is a rare form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that affects the skin and joints. It's an ongoing (chronic) autoimmune condition. It causes a red, scaly, itchy rash. It also causes

Graves Disease in Children What is Graves disease in children? Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. The immune system normally protects the body from infection and disease with proteins called antibodies. But with an autoimmune disease, the antibodies attack the body's own

Nosebleed (Epistaxis) in Children What is a nosebleed in children? A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. The medical word for nosebleed is epistaxis. Most nosebleeds in children occur in the front (anterior)