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Cataracts in Children What are cataracts in children? A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. The lens is normally clear (transparent). Cataracts keep light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina. The retina is the thin layer of nerve tissue that lines

Bacterial Endocarditis in Children What is bacterial endocarditis in children? Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocardium), or the heart valves. It doesn't occur in children very often. But when it does, it can cause serious heart damage

Hyperparathyroidism in Children What is hyperparathyroidism in children? Hyperparathyroidism is when the parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone. The condition is rare in children. The parathyroid glands are 4 tiny glands located on the back of the thyroid. The

Warts in Children What are skin warts in children? Warts on the skin are small, noncancerous skin growths. They are caused by a virus. Warts can spread to other parts of the body and to other people. What causes skin warts in a child? Warts are caused by a type of human

Poison Ivy Rash in Children What is poison ivy rash? Poison ivy rash is an itchy, allergic reaction to poison ivy. Poison ivy is a very common plant in the U.S. It's similar to two other plants called poison oak and poison sumac. The plants cause allergic dermatitis. This means

Dehydration What is dehydration? Dehydration means that you don’t have enough water in your body. The human body normally contains a lot of water. In fact, 50% to 60% of your body weight comes from water. It helps keep your body healthy and working well. Mild dehydration can

Communication Disorders in Children What are communication disorders in children? A child with a communication disorder has trouble communicating with others. They may not understand or make the sounds of speech. The child may also struggle with word choice, word order, or

Common Cold in Children What is the common cold in children? The common cold (upper respiratory infection) is one of the most common illnesses in children. Each year it leads to more healthcare provider visits and missed days from school and work than any other illness. Millions

Rett Syndrome in Children What is Rett syndrome in children? Rett syndrome is a rare genetic developmental and neurological disorder. It almost exclusively affects girls. Children with this disorder often develop normally for their first 6 to 18 months. After that, they start to

Gestational Diabetes What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by having too little insulin. Instead, hormones made by your placenta keep your body from using