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HIV/AIDS What is HIV/AIDS? The term AIDS refers to the most advanced stages of an infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The current definition of AIDS includes: All HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4+ T cells (also called T4 cells or just T

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? STIs are infections passed from person to person through sexual contact. They may also be called STDs for sexually transmitted diseases. Millions of new cases are diagnosed every year in the U

Atherosclerosis What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is thickening of the walls of the arteries. It is also known as hardening of the arteries. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol

Anorectal Malformation in Children What is an anorectal malformation in children? Anorectal malformations are birth defects, or problems that happen as an unborn baby is developing during pregnancy. With this defect, the anus and rectum don’t develop properly. They are the lower

Biliary Atresia in Children What is biliary atresia in children? Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that occurs in newborn babies. It's often found shortly after birth. The disorder affects tubes in the liver called bile ducts. If not treated with surgery, it can be fatal

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome in Children What is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in children? The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic disorder. In children with this syndrome, a tiny piece of one of the copies of chromosome 22 is missing. This can cause many health problems

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Children What is Down syndrome in children? Down syndrome is a genetic problem. It is also called trisomy 21. It includes certain birth defects, learning problems, and facial features. A child with Down syndrome also may have heart defects and

Neurocutaneous Syndromes in Children What are neurocutaneous syndromes in children? Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. The diseases are lifelong conditions that can cause tumors to grow in these areas. They can also

Ewing Sarcoma in Children What is Ewing sarcoma in children? Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer. It can affect a person of any age, but it's most common between ages 10 and 20. It often grows in bone, but it can also grow in soft tissue that's connected to the bone. This may

Osteosarcoma (Osteogenic Sarcoma) in Children What is osteosarcoma in children? Osteosarcoma is very rare, but it's the most common kind of bone cancer in children and teens. It's most common in teens and young adults. Osteosarcoma is cancer that starts in the bone. The cancer