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Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis What is cirrhosis? Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This stops the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis is a long-term (chronic) liver disease. The damage to your liver builds up over time. The liver is your body’s

Heart Failure in Children What is heart failure in children? The heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When you have heart failure, the heart is not able to pump as well as it should. Blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart

For Parents: Bicycle, In-Line Skating, Skateboard, and Scooter Safety Safety statistics Bikes, in-line skating, skateboarding, and scooters are very popular among children between ages 5 and 14. These activities are a great form of exercise. But without protective gear, they can

Overuse Injuries An increasing number of boys and girls are playing recreational and organized sports. As a result, there is a rise in the number of overuse injuries seen among children and teens. Most sports and overuse injuries are due to injuries that affect the bone, muscles

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

Smoking and Heart Disease The American Heart Association (AHA) says diseases caused by smoking kill more than 440,000 people in the U.S. each year. Most new smokers are children and teens. Smokers have a higher risk for lung disease and other respiratory problems, such as

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

Cholesterol in the Blood Facts about cholesterol Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that can be found in all parts of your body. It helps your body make cell membranes, many hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol in your blood comes from 2 sources: the foods you eat and

Encopresis What is encopresis? Encopresis is when your child leaks stool into their underwear. It's also called stool soiling. It's most often because of long-term (chronic) constipation. Encopresis happens to children ages 4 and older who have already been toilet trained. In