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Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) in Children What is a ventricular septal defect? A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect. This means that your baby is born with it. A VSD is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two lower chambers of the heart

Overview of Craniofacial Anomalies What are craniofacial anomalies? Craniofacial anomalies (CFA) are a variety of deformities in the growth of the head and facial bones. Anomaly is a medical term meaning different from normal. These abnormalities are present at birth (congenital)

The Craniofacial Team When should my child see a craniofacial team? The best time to assess any craniofacial abnormalities is within your child's first few weeks of life. The focus of the team visit is to help correct your child's medical problems and to ease adapting to each

Hemifacial Microsomia (HFM) in Children What is hemifacial microsomia in children? Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital problem. This means that your child is born with it. In this condition, one side of your baby’s face is underdeveloped. (Hemi means half). HFM usually

Anatomy of a Newborn Baby's Skull The skull may seem to be one large bone, but it's made of several major bones that are connected together. The major bones that compose the skull include: 2 frontal bones 2 parietal bones 1 occipital bone These bony plates cover the brain, and

Hyperbilirubinemia in a Newborn What is hyperbilirubinemia in a newborn? Hyperbilirubinemia happens when there is too much bilirubin in your baby's blood. Bilirubin is made by the breakdown of red blood cells. It's hard for babies to get rid of bilirubin at first. It can build up

Meconium Aspiration What is meconium aspiration? Meconium aspiration is when a newborn breathes in a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb. Meconium is the baby's first stool, or poop. It is sticky, thick, and

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome What is neonatal abstinence syndrome? Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a set of signs and symptoms that may occur after babies are exposed to medicines or other substances in the uterus before birth. Babies can then experience withdrawal after

Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn What is necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn? Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious, life-threatening illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the mucus lining of the intestines gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn What is persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in the newborn? Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) happens in newborn babies. It occurs when a newborn’s circulation continues to flow as it did while in the uterus. When this