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Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Children What is phenylketonuria (PKU) in children? Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare metabolic disorder. Children with PKU can’t process an amino acid called phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is in many common foods. It helps the body make protein. It's also

Planning a Pregnancy If you're planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks for both you and your baby. Good health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. The first few weeks of pregnancy are

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) in Children What is myasthenia gravis in children? Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disorder that causes weakness in muscles around the body. This happens because antibodies destroy some of the places where nerves and muscles meet (neuromuscular connections). MG

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

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) in Children What is Becker muscular dystrophy in children? Muscular dystrophy (MD) is an inherited (genetic) disorder of the muscles. It is called a neuromuscular disease. There are several types. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a rare type. It

Encopresis What is encopresis? Encopresis is when your child leaks stool into their underwear. It's also called stool soiling. It's most often because of long-term (chronic) constipation. Encopresis happens to children ages 4 and older who have already been toilet trained. In

Kidney Failure What is kidney failure? Kidney failure happens when damage results in loss of normal kidney function. There are 2 types of kidney failure—acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure starts abruptly. It can sometimes be reversed. Chronic kidney failure progresses slowly

Lung Transplantation in Children What is a lung transplant? A lung transplant is surgery to remove 1 or both diseased lungs and replace them with healthy lungs from a suitable organ donor. In most cases, lungs that are transplanted come from people who have died and donated their

Risks of Pregnancy Over Age 30 Many women wait until later in life to have children. In the U.S., birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in four decades. But an older mother may be at increased risk for things such as: Miscarriage Birth defects Twins High

Constipation in Children What is constipation in children? Constipation is when a child has very hard stools and has fewer bowel movements than normal. It is a very common gastrointestinal (GI) problem. Signs that a child has constipation include: Having fewer bowel movements