Health Library A to Z

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• Anencephaly in Children
Anencephaly is a birth defect that affects the brain and skull bones. With this condition, the brain isn't fully formed. It often lacks part or all of the cerebrum.

• 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.

• Care of the Baby 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.

• Caring for Newborn Multiples
Because many multiples are small and born early, they may be initially cared for in a special care nursery called the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

• Cuts and Wounds of the Nose
Most minor nose wounds can be handled at home, but a wound or bruise that also involves 1 or both eyes needs immediate medical attention.

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Newborns
CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a herpes virus. It is very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases, CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious problems in an unborn baby or newborn.

• Equipment That Is Used in the NICU
NICUs are equipped with complex machines and devices to monitor nearly every system of a baby's body--temperature, heart rate, breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and blood pressure.

• Eye Medicine and Vitamin K Injection for Newborns
Newborn babies routinely receive eye medicine and a vitamin K injection soon after birth. Both prevent serious conditions.

• Fever in a Newborn Baby
The system that controls body temperature is not well developed in a newborn. Here's what you need to know about fever and your baby.

• 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.

• Hearing Screening Tests for Newborns
Today nearly all newborns are screened for hearing loss. Here's a look at why, and the types of screening tests that are done.

• Keeping Your Baby Warm
Premature and low-birth-weight babies may be too immature to regulate their own temperature, even in a warm environment. Read on to learn how to safely keep them warm.

• Natal Teeth
Natal teeth are teeth that are present when a baby is born. The teeth are often not fully developed and may have a weak root.

• Neck Masses
Detailed information on the different types of neck masses in children

• Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and sometimes kills the tissue in your baby’s colon.

• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Neonatal abstinence syndrome is what happens when babies are exposed to drugs in the uterus before birth. Babies can then go through drug withdrawal after birth.

• Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
Nephrotic syndrome is a problem where too much protein called albumin is released from the body into the urine. It means that one or both kidneys are damaged.

• Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor. It grows in nerve tissue of babies and young children. The cancer cells grow in young nerve cells of a baby growing in the womb. These cells are called neuroblasts. It’s in the most common cancer in babies under age 1. It’s rare in children older than age 10.

• Neurocutaneous Syndromes in Children
Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. The diseases are lifelong conditions that can cause tumors to grow in these areas. They can also cause other problems, such as hearing loss, seizures, and developmental problems.

• Neurogenic Bladder in Children
Neurogenic bladder means the bladder doesn't work normally because of nerve damage. It causes a child to have problems with holding or releasing urine.

• Neurological Conditions and Pregnancy
Detailed information on neurologic conditions in pregnancy

• Neurological Disorders in the Newborn
Detailed information on the most common neurological disorders in the newborn

• Neurological Exam for Children
Is it time for your baby to have a full physical exam? Your pediatrician might want to conduct a neurological exam. Don't worry, this series of tests designed to evaluate your child's nervous system is painless. Here's what it entails.

• Neuromuscular Disorders
Detailed information on the most common neuromuscular disorders in children

• Newborn Behaviors and Activities
Detailed information on normal newborn behaviors and activities

• Newborn Complications
Detailed information on the most common types of newborn complications

• Newborn Health Assessment
Detailed information on newborn health assessments

• Newborn Measurements
Your newborn will be weighed in the hospital and at all check-ups. In most cases, metric units are used to record babies' weight. This chart will help you convert the metric unit grams (g) to pounds (lb) and ounces (oz).

• Newborn Screening Tests
A national program exists to screen all newborns for certain disorders in the first few days of life.

• Newborn Warning Signs
Most newborns adjust well to the outside world. But it's helpful to know about these warning signs that could indicate a possible problem.

• Nightmares and Night Terrors
A night terror is a partial waking from sleep with behaviors such as screaming, kicking, panic, sleep walking, thrashing, or mumbling.

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in Children
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps to fight diseases and infections. The lymphatic system also helps with balancing fluids in different parts of the body.

• Noninfectious Skin Conditions
Detailed information on non-infectious skin conditions, including dermatitis, acne, drug rashes, poison ivy/poison oak, and toxic epidermal necrolysis

• Nontraditional Inheritance
Detailed information on nontraditional inheritance, including uniparental disomy and Prader-Willi Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome, trinucleotide repeats and Fragile-X Syndrome, and mitochondrial inheritance and Leber's Optic Atrophy

• Normal Growth
A child's growth not only involves the length and weight of his or her body, but also internal growth and development.

• Nose and Throat Disorders
Detailed information on nose and throat disorders in children

• Nosebleed (Epistaxis) in Children
A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. Most nosebleeds in children occur in the front part of the nose close to the nostrils.

• Nursemaid’s Elbow in Children
Nursemaid's elbow is a type of elbow injury. It's when a forearm bone (radius) slips out of place from where it normally attaches to the elbow joint.

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

• Nutrition and Nephrotic Syndrome
Here is information on nutrition and diet for children with nephrotic syndrome.

• Nutrition and Renal Failure
Detailed information on nutrition and renal failure in children

• Nutrition Index
Detailed nutrition information for mothers who are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and toddlers, preschool-aged children, school-aged children, and adolescents

• Nutrition- School-Age
Helpful information and tips on healthy food choices for school-age children.

• Nutritional Requirements for a Child With Cancer
Good nutrition is vital for children being treated for cancer, yet these young patients often have poor appetites.

• Overview of Diagnostic Tests for Nervous System Disorders in Children
Evaluating and diagnosing damage to the nervous system can be complicated. Many of the same symptoms occur in different combinations among the different disorders, and many disorders do not have definitive causes, markers, or tests.

• Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
In most cases, you can be with your baby in the NICU at any time. Read on to learn what you can expect.

• Physical Exam of the Newborn
A complete physical exam is an important part of newborn care. Each body system is carefully checked for signs of health and normal function.

• Preparing the Family
Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place after a baby is born. But it's helpful to prepare family members for what's ahead.

• Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
While being a new mom brings lots of joy, it also brings stress--something a crying baby can make worse. Having a better understanding of why your baby cries can help you deal with this stress in a healthy way and help you avoid the most common form of child abuse: Shaken baby syndrome.

• Sepsis in the Newborn
Newborn sepsis is a severe infection in an infant younger than 28 days old. The infection is in your baby’s blood. But it may affect any body system or the whole body.

• Skin Color Changes
The color of a baby's skin can often help identify possible problems in another area of the body. Here are some skin color changes to be aware of.

• Sodium and Fluid Restriction for Children with Kidney Failure
Detailed information on controlling sodium in your child's diet.

• Tests for a Newborn Baby in Intensive Care
Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) undergo regular testing so they get the important care they need. Here are several common lab tests. Ask your baby's healthcare provider about them.

• Toddler Nutrition
Read on to learn about healthy food choices, activity tips, and helpful feeding information for your toddler.

• Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
Transient tachypnea of the newborn is a mild breathing problem. It affects babies during the first hours of life. Transient means it is short-lived. Tachypnea means fast breathing rate. The problem often goes away on its own in about 3 days.

• Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in Newborns
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a problem that occurs in some newborns. It happens during the first few days of life. This condition used to be called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

• Your Child's Asthma: Nebulizer Treatments
Helpful instructions on giving your child nebulizer treatments.