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Kyphosis What is kyphosis? A normal spine, when viewed from behind, appears straight. However, a spine affected by kyphosis has a forward curvature of the back bones (vertebrae) in the upper back area, giving an abnormally rounded or humpback appearance. This is sometimes known

Understanding Your Child's Lymphatic System What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system is a part of the body’s immune system. It works to fight disease and infection. The lymphatic system goes through many changes during a child's growth. Before birth, a baby is protected

Safer Sex Guidelines What is safe sex? Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. But many health care professionals believe that the only way to be truly safe is not to have

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Children What is an atrial septal defect in children? The atrial septum is the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart (right and left atria). An atrial septal defect (ASD) is an abnormal hole in this wall. ASD is a heart problem that is

Molds in the Environment What is mold? A mold is a microscopic fungus that grows and lives on plant or animal matter. It can also live on nonorganic objects. Most molds are made up of filaments. They reproduce through the production of spores. Spores spread by air, water, or

Pulmonary Atresia What is pulmonary atresia? Pulmonary atresia (PA) is a heart defect. It happens when the baby's heart doesn’t form as it should in the uterus. This can happen during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. PA is a problem with the opening of the pulmonary valve. This

Topic Index - Ear, Nose, and Throat Ear, Nose, & Throat Home Ear Disorders Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear Common Childhood External Ear Problems Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear) Foreign Bodies in the Ear, Nose, and Airway Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) Mastoiditis Hearing

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Newborns What is CMV in newborns? CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a type of herpes virus. It's very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases, CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious

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

Nightmares and Night Terrors What are night terrors? A night terror is a partial waking from sleep with behaviors such as screaming, kicking, panic, sleep walking, thrashing, or mumbling. They are harmless, and each episode will end in deep sleep. They tend to occur in children