Health Library A to Z

B

• After a Burn: When to Call Your Child's Healthcare Provider
Details about when to call your child's healthcare provider after a burn.

• Babies Need "Tummy Time"
Putting babies to sleep on their backs has dramatically reduced the incidence of SIDS. One unexpected side effect: Many infants now have a flattened head.

• Baby's Care After Birth
Detailed information on baby's care after birth

• Bacterial Endocarditis in Children
Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium), and the heart valves. It does not happen very often, but when it does, it can cause serious heart damage.

• Bacterial Skin Infections in Children
Detailed information on bacterial skin infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, scarlet fever, folliculitis, boils, carbuncles, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

• Bathing and Skin Care for the Newborn
Bath time is a great time to bond with your newborn while keeping his or her skin healthy and cuddly soft. Get the fact - îand proper supplies - to make these moments safe and enjoyable for both you and baby.

• Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) in Children
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is an inherited (genetic) disorder of the muscles. It is called a neuromuscular disease. There are several types. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a rare type.

• Benign Skin Growths and Pigmentation Disorders
Detailed information on benign skin growths and pigmentation disorders in children

• Benign Skin Growths in Children
Detailed information on benign skin growths, including dermatofibromas, dermoid cyst, freckles, keloids, lipomas, moles, atypical moles, pyogenic granulomas

• Beta Thalassemia in Children
Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. This means it is passed down through the parent’s genes. It is a form of anemia. Anemia is a low red blood cell or low hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is part of red blood cells. It carries oxygen to organs, tissues, and cells. Beta thalassemia affects the production of hemoglobin.

• Beware of Over-the-Counter Contact Lenses
Tips to help you be smart about using contacts.

• Bicycle / In-Line Skating / Skateboarding Safety
Detailed information on bicycle, in-line skating, and skateboarding safety

• Bicycling, Inline Skating, Skateboarding, and Scooter Safety—Prevention
Read on for specific safety and injury prevention tips for wheel sports--from biking and inline skating to skateboarding and scooters.

• Biliary Atresia in Children
Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that occurs in infants. It is often found shortly after birth. The disorder affects tubes in the liver called bile ducts. If not treated with surgery, it can be fatal.

• Binge Drinking Dangers for Young People
Binge drinkers are most likely found on college campuses, where many students consider a big game or fraternity party an excuse to drink all weekend.

• Biophysical Profile
A biophysical profile is a test that is sometimes used during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is often done if there is a question about the baby’s health. This may be because of other test results or certain pregnancy symptoms, or because your pregnancy is high risk.

• Bipolar Disorder in Teens
Bipolar disorder is a type of depression. A teen with bipolar disorder often has extreme mood swings. These mood swings go beyond the day's normal ups and downs.

• Birth Defects in Children
A birth defect is a health problem or abnormal physical change that is present when a baby is born. Birth defects can be very mild, where the baby looks and acts like any other baby. Or birth defects can be more severe. Read on to learn more.

• Birth Defects in Newborn Babies
Birth defects may be caused by inherited (genetic) problems or by environmental things, such as exposure to certain toxic substances during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be linked to a direct cause. Other reasons are not as clear.

• Birth Defects Index
Detailed information on birth defects, including their cause and frequency

• Birth Injury
Detailed information on birth injury, including the most common types.

• Birthmarks
Detailed information on birthmarks and the different types, including vascular birthmarks, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains.

• Bites
Detailed information on bites, including human bites, animal bites, and insect bites

• Bites and Stings
Detailed information on insect bites, including bee stings, flea bites, mite bites, chigger bites, spider bites, tick bites, and lyme disease

• Biting
Young children may bite others out of frustration or stress, or because they feel powerless. Infants and toddlers often bite as a way of exploring their world.

• Black Eye (Ecchymosis)
A black eye should be seen by a healthcare provider to make sure no injury has happened to the eye itself. Most black eyes heal completely and don't cause any damage.

• Bleeding Disorders
Detailed information on bleeding disorders, including Hemophilia and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura

• Blepharitis in Children
Blepharitis is an inflammation in the oil glands of the eyelid. It causes swollen eyelids and crusting around the eyelashes. Even after it’s treated and goes away, it can often come back again and again for years. It can often lead to an infection of the eye and a loss of eyelashes.

• Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis) in Children
In some children, the openings into the tear duct don’t form the right way. This causes a blockage. The tears have no place to drain. Learn more about how this condition can affect your child, and how it's treated.

• Blood in the Eye (Hyphema) in Children
Hyphema is blood in the front (anterior) chamber of the eye. This is located between the clear front part of the eye (cornea) and the colored part of the eye (iris). Read on to learn more about what to do when your child has blood in their eye.

• Blood Tests and Your Child's Heart
Detailed information on blood tests used to diagnosis heart disease.

• Blood Types in Pregnancy
A baby may have the blood type and Rh factor of either parent, or a combination of both parents.

• Bone Marrow
Detailed information on bone marrow and bone marrow transplantation in children

• 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.

• Brain Abscess in Children
An abscess is a pocket of infection. In the brain, an abscess may be in one or more areas. This condition may cause problems with how the brain and spinal cord function. It is a serious and life-threatening condition that needs to be treated right away.

• Brain Tumors in Children
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also includes the spinal cord.

• Branchial Cleft Abnormalities in Children
A branchial cleft abnormality is a cluster of abnormally formed tissue in the neck. A branchial cleft abnormality is a birth defect. It happens when the area doesn't form as it should during the early stages of an embryo’s development.

• Breast Conditions in Young Women
Some breast changes or conditions are related to a young woman's menstrual cycle, but others may occur at any time. Most breast conditions are benign.

• Breast Health and Adolescents
Detailed information on breast health for children

• Breastfeeding Difficulties - Baby
Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the baby, including ineffective latch-on, ineffective sucking, slow infant weight gain, poor infant weight gain, mismanaged breastfeeding, over-active breast milk let down

• Breastfeeding Difficulties - Mother
Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the mother, including sore nipples, low breast milk production, flat nipples, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis

• Breastfeeding the High-Risk Newborn
Detailed information on breastfeeding the high-risk newborn

• Breastfeeding Your Baby

• Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby
Breastfeeding your premature infant is not only possible, it's the best thing for your baby.

• Breastmilk Is Best
Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients in a form most easily used by your baby's immature body systems.

• Bronchiolitis in Children
Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lungs. It's when your child has swelling in the smaller airways (bronchioles) of the lung. This swelling blocks air in the smaller airways.

• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in Premature Babies
Chronic lung disease is the general term for long-term breathing problems in premature babies. It’s also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Here's what you need to know about this condition.

• Bruises
A bruise is a collection of blood underneath the skin that is caused by injury to an area of the body. Sometimes enough bleeding occurs so that a lump also forms.

• Brushing and Toothpaste for Children
Read on to learn how to help your child care for their teeth correctly, from the type of toothbrush and toothpaste to use, to tips on how to brush their teeth.

• Bulimia Nervosa in Children
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. A child with bulimia overeats or binges uncontrollably. This overeating may be followed by self-induced throwing up (purging).

• Burns Caused by Heat
Detailed information about how to care for your child's heat-induced burn.

• Burns: Symptom Management
Most children with burns have pain, which can be controlled with medicine. They also usually experience itching at some point during the healing process.

• Buying a Bike for Your Child
Learn helpful tips on what type and size of bike is right for your child, depending on their age, size, and ability.

• Buying Guidelines for Safe and Fun Toys
Toy-related injuries send tens of thousands of children to the emergency room each year. Most injuries occur when parents give their children toys meant for older children.

• Chemical Burns
Chemical burns can occur when strong acids or alkalis come in contact with the skin or the eyes.

• Choosing Childcare for Your Breastfed Baby
Choosing a childcare provider for your baby is an important decision. Find one who supports your choice to breastfeed and is willing to carry out your plan. Doing so will give you peace of mind and make your transition back to work easier.

• Determining Body Mass Index for Teens
Although it is not a perfect measure, BMI gives a fairly accurate evaluation of how much of your teen's body is made up of fat.

• Difficulty with Latching On or Sucking
Detailed information on problems with latching-on or sucking during breastfeeding, and how to handle them.

• Electrical Burns
Electrical burns occur when a child comes in contact with electricity, either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

• Facts About Animal Bites and Scratches
Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can become infected and cause scarring. Animals can also carry diseases that can be transmitted through a bite.

• Flea, Mite, or Chigger Bites in Children
Fleas, mites, and chiggers are different kinds of small insects. They are also parasites. This means they feed off the blood, skin, or both of animals and humans. These insects are more common in the warm weather. They bite skin and cause symptoms such as bumps, redness, pain, or itching.

• Gestational Age Assessment
It's not always easy to tell a newborn's age by their size. Premature babies are usually small, but full-term and past-term babies can be small, too. That's when healthcare providers will do a gestational assessment to determine if a newborn needs special treatment.

• Head Injury in Children
A head injury can be as mild as a bump, bruise (contusion), or cut on the head. Or it can be a concussion, a deep cut or open wound, broken skull bones, internal bleeding, or damage to the brain. Head injuries are one of the most common causes of disability and death in children.

• If Your Child Has Trouble Adjusting After a Burn Injury
Agitated behavior, such as crying, sleep disturbances and nightmares, and repeated episodes of sadness are signs that your child may be having trouble coping with stress.

• Mastoiditis in Children
Mastoiditis is a complication of a middle ear infection. Read on to learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

• Newborn Crying
Crying is the way babies communicate. They cry because of hunger, discomfort, frustration, tiredness, and even loneliness.

• Normal Breast Development
Breast development occurs in distinct stages, first before birth, and again at puberty and during the childbearing years. Changes also occur to the breasts during menstruation and when a woman reaches menopause.

• Nutrition and Burns
A child who has been burned needs additional calories and protein to help them heal and grow.

• 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) through an opening in the abdominal muscles. This area is in the umbilical cord. A clear (translucent) membrane covers the organs.

• 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. But it can affect any bone in the body. Read on to learn more.

• Overview of Blood and Blood Components
Human blood consists of about 22% solids and 78% water. The components of blood are plasma, fat globules, chemicals, and gases.

• Preventing Burn Injuries in Children
Here are safety tips: Periodically, check electrical plugs and cords for dirt or fraying. When cooking with hot oil, keep your child a safe distance from the stove. Teach your child to stay away from lighters and matches.

• Preventing Burn Scars and Contractures in Children
Most second- and third-degree burns cause scarring. Physical therapists will work with your child to prevent or reduce scarring.

• Pulmonary Stenosis in Children
Pulmonary stenosis is a birth defect of the heart (congenital). It can happen when the pulmonary valve doesn’t develop as it should during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. The pulmonary valve connects the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

• Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety usually begins around 6 months of age. Babies may suddenly be afraid of familiar people, such as babysitters or grandparents.

• Stop Dating Abuse Before It Starts
Teen dating violence is worrisome. But it's not inevitable. Here's how you and your teen can prevent possibly unsafe situations and reduce the risk for problems.

• Surgery and the Breastfeeding Infant
If your baby needs surgery, you may feel helpless. But there's something you can do to make this experience a little less stressful: breastfeed. Read on for helpful tips.

• Tick Bites
Ticks attach themselves to the scalp, behind the ear, in the armpit and groin, and also between fingers and toes. Find out what to do if you find a tick on your child.

• Time-in Time-out
Detailed information on child discipline and time-out

• Tote Your Baby in a Sling—Safely
Slings are a popular, natural way to carry your baby, but recent government warnings showed these slings can also be dangerous. Learn how to carry your baby safely.

• Vascular Malformations and Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are growths of blood vessels. They’re also called birthmarks. But they often can't be seen at birth. They usually form in the first few weeks of life.

• Very Low Birth Weight
Very low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. It is very rare that babies are born this tiny. Only about 1 in 100 babies born in the U.S. are very low birth weight.

• Why Children Bite
A young child may bite out of frustration or when under stress. Biting may also be an attempt to gain power, or just a way of exploring the world. Read on to learn how to respond if your child bites, no matter what the cause.

• Your Baby and Breastfeeding
Think there's only one way to breastfeed? You can position your baby in several ways during feeding time that can be comfortable for both of you.