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Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy What is neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy? Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage. It’s caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth. It affects the central nervous system. Babies

Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia What are tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia? Tracheoesophageal fistula Tracheoesophageal fistula is a connection between the esophagus and the trachea. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach

Anomalous Coronary Artery (ACA) in Children What is an ACA in a child? An anomalous coronary artery (ACA) is a heart defect. This is something your baby is born with (congenital). In ACA, the blood vessels that supply blood to your child's heart muscle aren't normal. In some

Syncope in Children What is syncope in children? Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness and muscle tone (or posture) that can occur when not enough blood gets to the brain. Syncope is commonly called fainting. In most children, it’s usually harmless. But in a few children

Intestinal Malrotation and Volvulus in Children What is intestinal malrotation in children? Intestinal malrotation is a birth defect. It happens when your baby’s intestinal tract doesn’t form as it should during pregnancy. Malrotation happens when your baby’s intestine doesn’t

Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy in Children What is Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy in children? Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is one of the muscular dystrophies. These are a group of rare, inherited muscle diseases (myopathies). EDMD causes weakness in your child

Overview of Obesity Facts about obesity Overweight and obesity together make up one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S. Obesity is a chronic disease that can seriously affect your health. Overweight means that you have extra body weight. Obesity means having a

Coarctation of the Aorta (COA) in Children What is coarctation of the aorta in children? Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital). It means that the aorta is narrower than it should be. The aorta is the large artery that carries

Anencephaly in Children What is anencephaly in children? Anencephaly is a condition that is present at birth (birth defect). It affects the brain and skull bones. With this condition, the brain isn't fully formed. It often lacks part or all of the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the

Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Children What is spinal muscular atrophy in children? Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disease of the nerves and muscles caused by certain genes. It affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord. It causes muscle wasting and weakness. What causes