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Cystic Fibrosis Overview What is cystic fibrosis? Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease of the glands that make mucus and sweat. People with CF get a defective gene from both parents. People who have one defective gene from one parent are called carriers. They don't have

Phobias in Children What are phobias in children? A phobia is an excessive fear of a certain object or situation. It’s a fear that lasts for at least 6 months. It is a type of anxiety disorder. These are some different types of phobias: Specific phobia. A child has anxiety when

Eating Disorders in Children The common feature of all eating disorders is abnormal eating behaviors. Click on the links below to learn more about eating disorders in children. Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This

Asthma in Children What is asthma in children? Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease that causes your child's airways to become sensitive to certain things (triggers). Several things happen to the airways when a child is exposed to triggers: The lining around the airways

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

Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children What are diaphragmatic hernias in children? A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect that occurs in about 1 in 2,500 newborns. It happens in a baby during pregnancy. In this condition, there’s an opening in your baby’s diaphragm. This is the

Gastrointestinal Problems What might gastrointestinal problems mean in a newborn? A newborn's ability to eat and digest food is essential to growth and development. Most babies are able to absorb nutrients and have normal bowel movements after being fed. Gastrointestinal problems