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Cardiomyopathy and Your Child What is cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle. It makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. There are different types of the disease. Each of these can cause the heart muscle to get larger, thicken, or become stiff

Meckel Diverticulum What is Meckel diverticulum? Meckel diverticulum is a small pouch in the lower wall of the small intestine. The normal intestine does not have a pouch. It’s near where the small and large intestines meet. The pouch is left over from when your child’s digestive

Omphalocele What is an omphalocele? An omphalocele is a birth defect. It happens when your baby is forming during pregnancy. In this condition, some of your baby’s abdominal organs poke out (protrude) from the belly through the belly button (umbilicus). A clear (translucent)

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

Ulcerative Colitis in Children What is ulcerative colitis in children? Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this condition, the inner lining of your child’s large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum gets inflamed. This inflammation often starts in the

Heart Defects Causing Extra Blood Flow Through the Lungs Click on the links below to learn more about these topics. Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Atrioventricular Canal (AV Canal or AVC)© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children What is obstructive sleep apnea in children? Obstructive sleep apnea is when a child briefly stops breathing while sleeping. It happens because of a blockage in the upper airway. This is the passages through the nose and mouth to the windpipe

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in Children What is SCID in children? SCID is a very rare disease. It causes a child to have a very weak immune system (immunodeficiency). As a result, the child is unable to fight off even mild infections. The disease is also known as the

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Children What is IBS in children? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term (chronic) disorder that affects the intestine. IBS causes painful belly (abdominal) and bowel symptoms. With IBS, the colon appears normal. But pain and a change in

Hepatitis in Children What is hepatitis in children? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can damage and destroy liver cells. What causes hepatitis in a child? Hepatitis in children can be caused by many things. Your child can get hepatitis by being exposed to a virus