Health Library A to Z

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• A Child Living with a Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Detailed information on living with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator

• Breathing Problems
If you listen closely, you'll notice that your baby's breathing isn't like yours. Babies breathe much more frequently and with different patterns than adults. Here's how to recognize normal breathing in your infant - and how to spot signs of respiratory distress.

• 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.

• 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.

• Care of the Uncircumcised Penis in Teens
In an uncircumcised boy, the foreskin will begin to separate from the tip of the penis. This happens naturally while the boy is a baby. This is called foreskin retraction.

• Chemotherapy for Children
Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to treat cancer or kill cancer cells. Read on to learn more about what to expect when your child needs this treatment.

• Childhood Immunizations
Your little one will need several immunization shots to help protect them from several childhood diseases, some of which can be deadly. Read on for helpful advice on which shots they need and when--and what to do if they have a minor reaction.

• Conjunctivitis in Children
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is also known as “pink eye.”

• Developmental Care for Babies in the NICU
Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb.

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

• How to Let Go of Growing Kids
It's very important for your children to move from being teenagers to young adults in a way that is healthy for them—and for you. Read on for helpful advice.

• How to Use a Pacifier
It seems everyone has an opinion about pacifiers. That's because there are both advantages and disadvantages to using them. Get the full facts so you can make the right choice for your baby.

• IgA Vasculitis in Children
IgA Vasculitis is a condition that involves swelling (inflammation) of small blood vessels. The swollen blood vessels leak into the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys.

• In a Nutshell: Understanding Peanut Allergies
If your child is allergic to peanuts, here's what you need to know.

• Infant Play
Read on for helpful suggestions for activities and toys for your baby, according to their age.

• Is It Time for Toilet Training?
Make a potty available, show your toddler how it works, then offer gentle encouragement.

• Mushroom Poisoning in Children
Mushroom poisoning happens when a child eats a mushroom that has poisons (toxins). Here's what you need to know, from symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.

• 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.

• Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Insertion for Children
A child with an arrhythmia may need a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). These devices require a simple surgery to implant. They can increase a slow heartbeat or correct a possibly life-threatening fast or chaotic beat.

• Pain Control After Your Child's Surgery
If your child has moderate to severe pain, they may receive narcotics during and after surgery. If your child is in the ICU after surgery, they may receive sedatives along with pain medicines.

• Pain Management for Children with Cancer
When a child has cancer or another pain-causing disease, one of their greatest fears is pain. Every effort should be made to ease the pain during the treatment process.

• Palliative Care
Supportive, or palliative, care is care aimed at comfort of the person versus cure and treatment.

• Parasitic Skin Infections
Detailed information on parasitic skin infections, including scabies and lice

• 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.

• Parents: Check Toys for Lead
You may have heard reports about lead paint causing recalls of children’s toys. While federal officials and health experts work to fix the problem, what can you do to keep your kids safe? First, you can check your child's toys against those listed as being recalled due to lead issues.

• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect found in the days or weeks after birth. Read on to learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

• Peanut Allergy Diet for Children
A detailed look at how to follow a peanut-free diet for your child, including how to read food labels.

• Pedestrian Safety
Children are at higher risk for pedestrian injury and death because they often don't understand traffic rules or the danger that vehicles pose. In addition, parents and caregivers often overestimate a child's traffic skills. Read on to learn how to keep your child safe.

• Pediatric Blood Disorders
Detailed information on blood disorders, including Anemia, Aplastic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Megaloblastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia, Alpha Thalassemia, Beta Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia)

• Pericarditis in Children
Pericarditis is inflammation or infection of the pericardium. In children, pericarditis is most likely to happen after surgery to repair heart defects.

• Periodontal Disease in Children
Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection. It destroys the gums and the nearby tissues of the mouth.

• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) in Children
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a softening of white brain tissue near the ventricles. The ventricles are fluid-filled chambers in the brain.

• Persistent Depressive Disorder in Children
Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression. A child with this disorder has a low, sad, or irritable mood for at least 1 year.

• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension 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 happens, too much blood flow bypasses the baby’s lungs. This is sometimes called persistent fetal circulation.

• Pets and Infectious Diseases in Children
One way to prevent the spread of disease from your pet: Feed your pet a balanced diet. Don't give your pet raw foods or allow it to drink out of the toilet.

• Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis in Children
Pharyngitis is redness, pain, and swelling of the throat (pharynx). Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are a pair of tissue masses on either side of the back of the throat. They are part of the immune system, the part of the body that fights infection and other disease.

• Pheochromocytoma in Children
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal glands. The tumor makes hormones called epinephrine and norepinephrine. This leads to an excess of the hormones in the body. These hormones help manage heart rate and blood pressure, and they have other tasks. Too much of these hormones in the body causes problems.

• Phimosis and Paraphimosis in Children
Phimosis and paraphimosis are problems with the foreskin of the penis. Phimosis is when a foreskin can’t be pulled down (retracted) from the tip of the penis. Paraphimosis is when the foreskin is retracted but can’t move back up.

• 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. Here's what you need to know.

• Phosphorus Restriction for Children
Detailed information on controlling phosphorus in your child's diet.

• Physical Abnormalities
Detailed information on physical abnormalities of high-risk newborns

• Physical Exam: Adolescent Male
Detailed information on what teen boys can expect during a physical exam.

• Physical Needs of the Dying Child
A terminally ill child has many of the same needs as any seriously ill child, including a routine for sleep and rest, and for pain management. Here's what you should know.

• Pilomatrixoma in Children
A pilomatrixoma is a slow-growing, hard lump found under the skin. It is most common on the face and neck, but it may be on other parts of the body. Read on to learn more.

• Pityriasis Rosea in Children
Pityriasis rosea is a mild, common rash. Read on to learn more about diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

• Planning to Be Away from Your Baby: Introducing a Bottle
You’ve been breastfeeding your baby up until now—but it’s time to return to work. You haven’t given them a bottle with breast milk yet. When should you make the change? Here are tips to make a successful transition from breast to bottle.

• Play
Detailed information on the stages of play for all ages

• Play Therapy for a Child in the Hospital
Play therapy is used to help children understand and cope with illness, surgery, hospitalization, treatments, and procedures.

• Pneumococcal Infection in Children
Pneumococcus bacteria can cause serious illness in children, including pneumonia, infection in the blood, and meningitis.

• Pneumonia in Children
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be mild or serious. Pneumonia is generally more common in children younger than 5 years old.

• Pneumothorax in Children
A pneumothorax is an air leak in the lungs. It's when air from the lungs leaks into the chest area.

• Poison Ivy Rash in Children
Poison ivy rash is an allergic reaction to poison ivy. Poison ivy is very a common plant in the U.S. It is similar to two other plants called poison oak and poison sumac. The plants cause allergic dermatitis.

• Poisons and Children
Detailed information on poisoning, preventing poisoning and how to respond in an emergency

• Polio (IPV)
The poliovirus destroys the nervous system, causing paralysis. Today, polio is extremely rare in the United States because of the polio vaccine. It's still common in other countries, though, so children still need to be immunized.

• Poliomyelitis (Polio) in Children
Polio is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. The virus is most known for causing paralysis. But very few children with polio develop paralysis. Read on to learn more about this condition in children.

• Pollen and Children
Detailed information on pollen allergy, also called hay fever, including information on which plants produce the most pollen and allergic rhinitis prevention during pollen season

• Polycythemia Vera in Children
Polycythemia vera is a serious, but very rare blood disorder in children. Read on to learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more.

• Posterior Pituitary Disorders
Detailed information on posterior pituitary disorders

• Posterior Urethral Valves in Children
Posterior urethral valves are a problem with the urethra in a boy. The valves partly block urine flow because not enough urine can get through them to leave the body. This can harm the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.

• Postmaturity in the Newborn
The normal length of pregnancy is 37 to 41 weeks. Postmaturity is a word used to describe babies born after 42 weeks. Very few babies are born at 42 weeks or later. Other terms often used to describe these late births include post-term, postmaturity, prolonged pregnancy, and post-dates pregnancy.

• Postoperative Care
Detailed information on postoperative management

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem. A child with PTSD has constant, scary thoughts and memories of a past event. The child finds the event terrifying, either physically or emotionally.

• Precocious Puberty
Puberty that happens early is called precocious puberty. This means a child's physical signs of sexual maturity develop too soon. This includes breast growth, pubic hair, and voice changes. These are known as secondary sexual characteristics. Precocious puberty happens before age 8 in girls, and before age 9 in boys.

• Preconception Care
Detailed information on preconception care

• Pregnancy and Medical Conditions
Detailed information on pregnancy and medical conditions

• Prematurity
A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature or born too early. The number of premature births in the U.S. is rising. Twins and other multiples are more likely to be premature than single birth babies.

• Preoperative Management for Children
Detailed information on preoperative management

• Preparing a Child for Surgery
Detailed information on preparing the child having surgery

• 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.

• Preparing the Infant for Surgery
It's important to keep your baby's routine the same before the day of surgery. Make sure you, your baby, and your family are well rested.

• Preschool (4 to 5 Years)
Detailed information on preschool-aged children, ages 4 to 5 years

• Preschool and School-Aged Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Detailed information on preschool and school-aged problems of the teeth and mouth

• Preschool Play
A preschooler needs space in which to run and explore. Take them on trips to the playground, park, or beach. Encourage them to play with other children.

• Preschooler Nutrition
Preschool children are still developing their eating habits and need encouragement to eat healthy meals and snacks.

• Prescription Drug Addiction
Three kinds of prescription medicines are potentially addictive: opioids, tranquilizers, and stimulants. Here's what you should know.

• 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.

• Preventing Eye Injuries in Children
Children should wear protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities. In the classroom, they should wear eye protection when doing lab experiments.

• Preventing Falls
Falls are the most common cause of injury visits to the emergency room for young children. Falls cause more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause. Read on to learn about safety steps you can take to prevent a fall for your child.

• Preventing Household Poisonings
Here are tips to help prevent poisoning in your home.

• Preventing Sports Injury in Children
Detailed information on sports safety for kids, including safety gear and equipment

• Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood
You may think of heart disease as a problem for adults, not your young children. But diet and exercise habits started in childhood can begin a lifetime of heart health, or a lifetime of heart damage.

• Prevention of Infectious Disease
Detailed information on prevention of infectious diseases

• Prevention of Oral Problems
Detailed information on the prevention of oral diseases and dental problems

• Primer: A Parent's Guide to Inhalant Abuse
Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce mind-altering effects. Knowing the facts about inhalants can help you protect your children.

• Problems Affecting the Coronary Arteries and Blood Vessels
Detailed information on problems affecting the coronary arteries and blood vessels of children

• Problems Affecting the Lower Digestive Tract
Detailed information on problems affecting the lower digestive tract of children

• Problems Affecting the Upper Digestive Tract
Detailed information on problems affecting the upper digestive tract of children

• Problems in Prenatal Development of the Digestive Tract
Detailed information on problems in prenatal development of the digestive tract

• Problems in Puberty
Detailed information on problems in puberty, including precocious puberty, gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty, and delayed puberty

• Problems Involving Heart Rhythm
Detailed information on problems involving heart rhythm

• Protect Kids from Lead Poisoning
Although lead poisoning is often associated with the paint of older homes, children may be exposed to lead if the soldering on water pipes is new. In fact, lead may be found in many parts of a home, including soil, food, or even the air.

• Protect Your Child from Medical Errors
A medical error can occur when something that was planned for medical care doesn't work, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place.

• Prune Belly Syndrome in Children
A child with prune belly syndrome often can't fully empty their bladder. This can cause serious bladder, ureter, and kidney problems.

• Psoriatic Arthritis in Children
Psoriatic arthritis is a rare form of arthritis or joint inflammation that affects both skin and joints. Read on to learn about this condition in children, from causes and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.

• Psychiatric Treatment Team
Team members may include a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, and a psychiatric nurse. Read on to learn more.

• Psychological Complications of Chronic Illness
Adolescence is a stressful time of life even for physically healthy teens. Chronic illness further complicates adolescent development. Read on to learn more.

• Psychosocial Needs of the Dying Child
The child with a terminal illness has the same need for love, emotional support, and normal activities as any person facing death.

• Puberty: Adolescent Female
Girls experience puberty as a sequence of events, and their pubertal changes usually begin before boys of the same age. The first pubertal change in girls usually is breast development.

• Puberty: Teen Boy
During puberty, a teen boy will grow taller and heavier, and hormones will lead to sexual maturity. Read on to learn what to expect.

• Pulmonary Atresia
Pulmonary atresia (PA) is a heart defect. It happens when the fetal heart doesn’t form as it should during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy.

• 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.

• Puncture Wounds in Children
A puncture wound is a deep wound made by a sharp object. This type of wound may become infected easily because dirt and germs are carried deep into the tissues.

• Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is a problem that causes forceful vomiting. It affects babies from birth to 6 months of age. It can lead to dehydration. This condition is the second most common reason why newborns have surgery.

• Recovery Room/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Once surgery is done, your child will be brought to the recovery room, also called the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies. It causes babies to need extra oxygen and help with breathing.

• Stages of Play
Children go through distinct stages of play as they grow. Each stage is critically important to the development of the next.

• Toddler Play
Read on for helpful tips to encourage play for your child.

• Toothache (Pulpitis) in Children
A toothache means that the pulp inside a tooth is inflamed and infected. The pulp is the soft part inside the tooth that has blood vessels and nerves.

• Vision Problems
Eye disorders in children are either refractive or nonrefractive errors. Refractive errors are caused by the shape of the eye. Nonrefractive errors are caused by disease.

• What You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse can happen in any family and in any neighborhood. Studies have shown that child abuse crosses all boundaries of income, race, ethnic heritage, and religious faith. Read on for helpful tips for stopping child abuse.