healthy kids

What is a heel stick test? The heel stick test is done on all newborns. The heel-stick test is a simple method to collect a newborn baby’s blood by pricking their heel to screen for certain diseases. It is usually performed as soon as possible after the baby’s birth. During this test, a small amount …

What is the life expectancy of someone with Noonan syndrome? The long-term prognosis of people with Noonan syndrome is variable. There is a wide range in the severity of signs and symptoms in people with Noonan syndrome (NS). Therefore, the prognosis (long-term outlook) of this disease may vary in every case. NS is a genetic (heredity) disorder. It may be …

Shoulder dystocia refers to a condition where after the delivery of the fetus’s head Shoulder dystocia presents risks to both the mother and fetus. Problems for the fetus can include: Fractures to the collarbone and arm Damage to the brachial plexus nerves. These are the nerves that go from the spinal cord in the neck down the arm. Damage to …

Breastfeeding issues Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding until the baby is six months. Breast milk is the best diet for infants. Breastfeeding has several health benefits for the mother and her baby; moreover, it also builds an emotional bonding between them. Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding until the baby is six months. This means that apart from breastmilk, the baby should not …

Amniocentesis can test for various conditions in the baby while still in the uterus Amniocentesis is a procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid present around the unborn baby in the uterus) is removed for testing or treatment purposes. The amniotic fluid contains fetal cells and various proteins. Analyzing the fetal cells in the amniotic fluid …

Common birth defects A birth defect is a health condition that is present since birth. A birth defect is a health condition that is present since birth. Birth defects may change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. They can cause problems in overall health. Below are the most common birth defects: Congenital heart defects …

What is a toddler’s development? A toddler's development involves several milestones. Toddler’s development includes the physical, emotional, behavioral and mental growth of children from ages one to three years old. The various factors that influence the toddler’s development include Culture Environment Socioeconomic status Genetics Children who suffer from malnutrition or who lack social stimuli or access to proper health care …

What is myoclonic epilepsy? Infantile myoclonic epilepsy is caused by genetic abnormalities in the brain, inborn metabolism errors, and neurogenetic mutations. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. Myoclonic epilepsy is a type of epilepsy characterized by brief seizures with rapid, uncontrolled muscle jerks. Myoclonic seizures do not cause loss of consciousness and usually last just a second …

How do I know if my child has auditory processing disorder? Sensitivity to noise is one potential symptom of auditory processing disorder. Auditory processing disorder (APD) affects the way your child’s brain perceives auditory (relating to the sense of hearing) information. It makes it difficult for your child to understand sounds including spoken words. Signs that a child may have …

Autism or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) can manifest as different symptoms in different children. Autism or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) can manifest as different symptoms in different children. The average age of diagnosis is 2 years, though some children may be detected at around the age of 5 years. The symptoms to look out for in children for suspected autism …