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Short Bowel Syndrome in Children What is short bowel syndrome in children? Short bowel syndrome is when the body has trouble absorbing nutrients from food because of a problem with the small intestine. It often happens to children who have had a large part of their small

Lyme Disease in Children What is Lyme disease in children? Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are spread by tick bites. Lyme disease is a year-round problem, but it peaks during the spring and summer months. It can cause

Acne What is acne? Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and oil glands (sebaceous glands). The oil glands secrete oils (sebum) to keep the skin moist. When the glands get clogged, it can lead to pimples and cysts. Acne is very common. People of all races and ages have acne

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a form of arthritis in children. Arthritis causes joint swelling (inflammation) and joint stiffness. JIA is arthritis that affects 1 or more joints for at least 6 weeks in

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) What is PDA? Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect found in the days or weeks after birth. The ductus arteriosus is a normal blood vessel that's part of fetal blood circulation before a baby is born. It’s an extra blood vessel that

Appendicitis in Children What is appendicitis in children? Appendicitis is a painful swelling, inflammation, and infection of the appendix. It's a medical emergency because the appendix can burst or rupture. This is serious and can lead to more widespread infection. If not

Mood Disorders in Teens What are mood disorders in teens? Mood disorders are a group of mental health problems. They are sometimes called affective disorders. These are the most common types: Major depression. A teen with this type has a depressed or irritable mood, along with

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) What is a ventricular septal defect? A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect. This means that your baby is born with it. A VSD is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the 2 lower chambers of the heart (right and left

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

Pneumonia in Children What is pneumonia in children? Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be mild or serious. Pneumonia is generally more common in children younger than 5 years old. What causes pneumonia in a child? Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria or viruses