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The Menstrual Cycle: An Overview What is ovulation? When a young woman reaches puberty, she starts to ovulate. This is when a mature egg or ovum is released from one of the ovaries. The ovaries are the two female reproductive organs found in the pelvis. If the egg is fertilized

Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy Facts about hypothyroidism and pregnancy Hypothyroidism is a condition that is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. It may happen during pregnancy. Many symptoms of the condition are similar to pregnancy symptoms. For example, they can both cause

Allergens: Animals What is an animal allergen? Allergens found in animals are a common cause of allergic reactions. They are caused by the proteins found in an animal's: Skin (dander) Saliva Urine Household pets such as cats and dogs are the most common sources of animal

Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis How is cystic fibrosis diagnosed? Newborns are screened for cystic fibrosis (CF) as part of each state's newborn screening program. If the results are positive, it does not mean your baby has cystic fibrosis. More tests are done as described below. In

Discomforts and Complications After a Child Has Surgery What are common discomforts after surgery? The amount of discomfort after surgery depends on the type of surgery done. Some typical discomforts include: Nausea and vomiting from general anesthesia Soreness in the throat

Medical Genetics: Getting Genetic Services for Your Child What are genetic services? Genetic services are programs that help support families and children with genetic disorders. Genetic services can: Give you information about your family’s genetic risk factors. Diagnose a

Maintaining Weight Loss Benefits of maintaining weight loss Losing weight is hard for many people. But it's even more challenging to keep the weight off. Many people who lose a large amount of weight have problems keeping it off over time. One theory is that people who eat fewer

Healthy Sleep Habits in Children What is normal sleep? The total amount of sleep your child needs varies depending on their age. Age Recommended hours of sleep per day Newborn to 3 months 14 to 17 hours 4 to 12 months 12 to 16 hours (often sleeps through the night) 1 to 2 years

Newborn Screening Tests What are newborn screening tests? The U.S. 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 need to

Smoking and Heart Disease The American Heart Association (AHA) says diseases caused by smoking kill more than 440,000 people in the U.S. each year. Most new smokers are children and teens. Smokers have a higher risk for lung disease and other respiratory problems, such as