Health Library A to Z

D

• Baby's Care in the Delivery Room
A newborn baby is wet from the amniotic fluid and can easily become cold. Drying the baby and using warm blankets and heat lamps can help prevent heat loss. Often a knitted hat is placed on the baby's head.

• Cystic Fibrosis and the Digestive System
In the digestive system, cystic fibrosis (CF) mainly affects the pancreas. A child with CF has trouble absorbing fats, as well as some proteins and vitamins.

• Dental Emergencies in Children
One type of dental emergency is a knocked-out tooth. If it's a permanent tooth, rinse it and place it back in the socket. Then immediately take your child to the dentist.

• Dental Fillings (Restorations)
Teeth that have tooth decay must be repaired. Advances in dental materials and methods provide new, effective ways to restore teeth.

• Dental Health and Children
Detailed information on dental health in children

• Dental Health for Children- Overview
Generally, dental exams and cleanings are recommended every 6 months for children. Encourage good oral hygiene at home by helping your child brush their own teeth.

• Dental Procedures for Children
Detailed information on the most common dental procedures, including braces, bleaching, bridges, dentures, dental implants, fillings, root canal, sealants, and wisdom teeth extraction

• Dermatitis in Children
Detailed information on dermatitis, including the different types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis

• Dermoid Cyst in Children
A dermoid cyst is a collection of tissue under the skin. It may contain hair follicles, oil, and sweat glands.

• Developmental Disorders
Detailed information on developmental disorders in children

• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children
In a normal hip joint, the top (head) of the thighbone (femur) fits snugly into the hip socket. In a child with DDH, the hip socket is shallow. As a result, the head of the femur may slip in and out.

• Diabetes Index
Detailed information on diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, teens and diabetes, and diet and diabetes

• Diabetes Insipidus in Children
Diabetes insipidus is a condition caused by not enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. ADH is also known as vasopressin. This is a hormone that helps the kidneys keep the correct amount of water in the body. The condition is also called “water diabetes.”

• Diagnosing and Evaluating Heart Disease in Children
Detailed information on diagnosing and evaluating heart disease in children

• Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders in Children
Detailed information on the most common diagnostic tests for neurological disorders in children

• Dialysis
Detailed information on dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

• Diaper Dermatitis in Children
Diaper dermatitis is inflammation of the skin in the diaper area. It’s a very common condition in babies and toddlers.

• Diapers and Diaper Rash
A core part of every baby's care is diapering. Read on for helpful information on changing diapers, preventing and treating diaper rash, and the pros and cons of cloth and disposable diapers.

• Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect. It happens in a baby during pregnancy. In this condition, there’s an opening in your baby’s diaphragm. This is the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

• Diet and Diabetes
It's important to learn about correct meal-planning when your child has diabetes. The type and amount of food your child eats affects their blood sugar levels.

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

• Digestive and Liver Disorders
Detailed information on digestive and liver disorders during pregnancy

• Digestive Disorders
Detailed information on the most common digestive disorders in high-risk newborns

• Diphtheria in Children
A detailed look at diphtheria, including symptoms, treatment, and a vaccination schedule.

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious illnesses. A combination vaccine is given to babies and children to provide protection against all 3 diseases.

• Discharge from the Hospital
Learn what you can expect about hospital discharge after your child has minor surgery.

• Discipline
Detailed information on disciplining a child, including information on time-out, temper tantrum, lying, stealing, and television and children

• Discussing Death with Children
The ultimate goal in discussing death with a dying child is to optimize his or her comfort and alleviate any fears. If the child is not ready to discuss death, the most helpful step parents can take is to wait until he or she is ready.

• Dislocations in Children
A dislocation is a joint injury. It occurs when the ends of 2 connected bones come apart. Dislocations happen more often among teens.

• Disorders Affecting Calcium Metabolism
Detailed information on disorders affecting calcium metabolism, including juvenile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and DiGeorge syndrome

• Disorders Affecting the Adrenal Glands
Detailed information on disorders affecting the adrenal glands, including underactive adrenal glands (Addison's disease), overactive adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome), and pheochromocytoma

• Disorders Affecting the Pituitary Gland
Detailed information on disorders affecting the pituitary gland, including posterior anterior disorders and anterior pituitary disorders

• Disorders Affecting the Thyroid
Detailed information on disorders affecting the thyroid gland, including hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and hypothyroidism

• Disorders of Sex Development
When a child's gender is in question at birth, the child has atypical genitalia (ambiguous genitalia). This means that the genitals don't seem to be clearly male or female.

• Disorders of the Brain and Nervous System
Detailed information on the most common disorders of the brain and nervous system in high-risk newborns

• Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Children
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that includes certain birth defects, learning problems, and facial features. Read on to learn more details about this disorder.

• Dysphagia in Children
Dysphagia means trouble swallowing. This condition happens when food or liquids can’t pass easily from your child’s mouth, into the throat, down the esophagus, and into the stomach when swallowing.

• Flat Head Syndrome (Deformational Plagiocephaly)
Flat head syndrome (deformational plagiocephaly) is when a baby's head develops a lasting flat spot. The flat spot may be either on one side of the head or on the back of the head. This happens when a baby sleeps in the same position most of the time or because of problems with the neck muscles.

• Gastrointestinal Problems
If your baby seems fussy and you've fed and changed him, he may have an upset stomach or colic. But don't worry, there are lots of things you can do to make your little one more comfortable and keep both of you calm.

• General Principles of Discipline
Most children need to be given consistent, clear rules and expectations about behavior. Discipline needs to begin as soon as the child is mobile—pulling up and crawling.

• Infant of a Mother with Diabetes
When a mother has diabetes, her baby is at risk for problems. Read on to learn more.

• Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare disease that causes muscle inflammation and a skin rash.

• Teens and Diabetes Mellitus
Detailed information on special considerations for teens with diabetes.

• The Growing Child- Teenager (13 to 18 Years)
The teen years are a time of growth spurts, puberty changes, and emotional and social development. Here's what you need to know.

• The Growing Child: 1 to 3 Months
A helpful look at common developmental milestones in young babies.

• The Growing Child: 10 to 12 Months
Read on to learn about the common developmental milestones for babies ages 10 to 12 months.

• The Growing Child: 1-Year-Olds
Your child is a toddler now and very active! They can climb stairs while holding on and play with push and pull toys.

• The Growing Child: 2-Year-Olds
Read on to learn details about common physical, speech, and other developmental milestones your child may reach at this age.

• The Growing Child: 3-Year-Olds
Most 3-year-olds have lost the rounded tummy of a toddler. Your child can use a spoon well and can wash and dry their hands.

• The Growing Child: 4 to 6 Months
This age is very social, and babies begin moving in much more purposeful ways.

• The Growing Child: 7 to 9 Months
Read on to learn about common physical, speech, and other developmental milestones to expect when your baby is this age.

• The Growing Child: Newborn
A helpful look at what to expect with your newborn—from your baby's growth and reflexes to crying and emotional development.

• The Growing Child: Preschool (4 to 5 Years)
Children at this age start to understand concepts and can compare abstract ideas. Read on to learn what to expect.

• The Growing Child: School-Age (6 to 12 Years)
Although friendships become more important at this age, children are still fond of their parents and like being part of a family. Read on to learn more.

• Treatment for Dog and Cat Bites and Scratches
When your child is bitten or scratched by an animal, remain calm and reassure your child that you can help. Here's what you need to know.

• Viruses, Bacteria, and Parasites in the Digestive Tract
Detailed information on viruses, bacteria, and parasites in the digestive tract.

• What You Can Do About Dog Bites
Dogs are responsible for 85% to 90% of all animal bites. But, many incidents can be avoided.