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Marfan Syndrome in Children What is Marfan syndrome in children? Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. Connective tissue holds the body's cells, organs, and other tissue together. Connective tissue is also important in growth and

Sexually Transmitted Infections in Teens What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infectious diseases spread through sexual contact. About 50 out of 100 new STIs happen in people ages 15 to 24. Protecting your teen from STIs The

Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) in Children What is transposition of the great arteries in children? Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a type of heart defect that your baby is born with (congenital). In this condition, the two arteries that carry blood out of

Truncus Arteriosus (TA) What is truncus arteriosus? Truncus arteriosus is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital). It happens when there is an abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Normally, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are separate. In

Psoriatic Arthritis in Children What is psoriatic arthritis in children? Psoriatic arthritis is a rare form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that affects the skin and joints. It's an ongoing (chronic) autoimmune condition. It causes a red, scaly, itchy rash. It also causes

Stroke in Children What is stroke in children? A stroke is a brain injury. It occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of the brain. Stroke can be caused by a blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke). Or it can be caused by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain

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

Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Children What is Guillain-Barré syndrome in children? Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a short-term but often life-threatening disorder that affects the nerves in the body. GBS can cause muscle weakness, pain, and short-term paralysis of the muscles in

Differences of Sex Development (DSD) When a child's sex is not clear at birth, the child has atypical genitalia (ambiguous genitalia). This means that the genitals don't seem to be clearly male or female. You may hear these differences called "DSDs," or sometimes "disorders of

Appendicitis What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is a medical emergency. It happens when your appendix becomes sore, swollen, and diseased. The appendix is a thin tube that is joined to the large intestine. It sits in the lower right part of your belly (abdomen). The appendix is a