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Medical Genetics: Types of Genetic Changes The human body has about 20,000 different genes in each cell. Genes are located on chromosomes, which are stick-shaped structures in the middle of the cell (nucleus). Each cell usually has 46 chromosomes grouped in 23 pairs. Each gene

Benign Skin Growths in Children What are benign skin growths? Children may have many types of skin growths. The vast majority of growths in children are benign. This means they are not cancer. Growths may be caused by genetics, injuries, sun exposure, or other reasons. What are

Refractive Errors in Children What is normal vision? To understand how certain problems can affect your child's vision, it’s important to know how normal vision happens. For children with normal vision, the following things occur in this order: Light enters the eye through the

Cancer Overview What is cancer? Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. The whole body is made of cells that act and grow in controlled ways as the body needs them. Cells are controlled by genes. The genes in any cell in the body can be damaged. Then the cell can grow out of

Preventing Eye Injuries in Children Eye injuries affect about 2.4 million people every year. Household products cause more than 125,000 serious eye injuries. Hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 23,000 victims of eye injuries from sports. Toys and home playground equipment cause

Newborn Metabolic Screening Most babies look healthy and perfect when they are born—just ask their parents. But because some potential problems aren't readily seen, all newborns are tested for certain conditions, including metabolic disorders. A metabolic disorder is one that

Common Symptoms of Liver Disease What are some common liver disease symptoms? When diagnosing liver disease, your health care provider looks at your symptoms and does a physical exam. Some common signs and symptoms of liver disease include: A yellowing of the skin and eyes

Endometrial Cancer: Diagnosis How is endometrial cancer diagnosed? If your healthcare provider thinks you might have endometrial cancer, usually because of abnormal vaginal bleeding, you'll need certain exams and tests to be sure. Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the

Breast Cancer: Introduction What is cancer? Cancer starts when cells in the body change (mutate) and grow out of control. Your body is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Normal cells grow when your body needs them, and die when your body doesn't need them any longer

Flat Head Syndrome (Deformational Plagiocephaly) What is deformational plagiocephaly? Flat head syndrome (deformational plagiocephaly) is when a baby’s head develops a lasting flat spot. The flat spot may be either on one side of the head or on the back of the head. This happens