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Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) What is PDA? Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect found in the days or weeks after birth. The ductus arteriosus is a normal blood vessel that's part of fetal blood circulation before a baby is born. It’s an extra blood vessel that

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Children What is Down syndrome in children? Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. It is also called trisomy 21. It includes certain birth defects, learning problems, and facial features. A child with Down syndrome also may have heart defects and

Risks of Pregnancy Over Age 30 Many women wait until later in life to have children. In the U.S., birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in four decades. But an older mother may be at increased risk for things such as: Miscarriage Birth defects Twins High

Osteomyelitis in Children What is acute osteomyelitis in children? Acute osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone. It develops over a short time, usually about 2 weeks. In children, osteomyelitis is more common in the long bones of the arms and legs; however, it can affect any

Epilepsy and Seizures in Children What is epilepsy in children? Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes a child to have recurring seizures over time. These seizures can't be linked to a short-term (acute) illness such as an infection, or a short-term injury such as a brain

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

Bone Marrow Transplant for Children What is a bone marrow transplant for children? A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a treatment for children with certain types of cancer or other diseases. The goal of BMT is to replace a child’s diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow

The Heart Click on the links below to learn more about this topic. About the Heart and Blood Vessels Anatomy and Function of the Heart Valves Anatomy and Function of the Electrical System Heart Transplantation© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This

Kidney Transplantation in Children What is a kidney transplant? A kidney transplant is surgery to place a healthy kidney from another person into someone with severe kidney problems. The healthy kidney may come from 2 types of donors: Deceased donor. This is an organ donor who

Hydrocele in Children What is a hydrocele in children? A hydrocele is fluid buildup in the thin pouch that holds the testes in the scrotum. Up to 1 in 10 baby boys have a hydrocele at birth. In most cases, it goes away without treatment in the first year. What causes a hydrocele