Dictionary of pediatrics

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. A medical doctor who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician.

A

  • allergies - Hypersensitivity reactions to substances that are normally harmless, which can be common in children.
  • antibiotics - Medications used to treat bacterial infections; their use in children must be carefully monitored to avoid antibiotic resistance.
  • apgar score - A quick test performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process, while the 5-minute score tells the healthcare provider how well the baby is doing outside the mother's womb.

B

  • bronchiolitis - An inflammation of the small airways in the lung, most commonly due to viral infection, and prevalent in pediatric populations.
  • bullying - Intentional, aggressive behavior that can affect child development and mental health.

C

  • cerebral palsy - A group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood.
  • chickenpox - A highly contagious viral infection causing an itchy, blister-like rash on the skin. Vaccination can prevent this disease.

D

E

  • eczema - A condition that causes inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough skin. Common in children.
  • epilepsy - A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions.

F

  • failure to thrive - A noticeable slowdown in weight gain and physical growth in infants and children, which can be due to a variety of factors including medical and social issues.
  • fever - Frequently one of the first signs of infection or illness in children, often requiring careful monitoring.

G

  • gastroenteritis - Also known as "stomach flu," an inflammation of the digestive tract that can cause vomiting and diarrhea among other symptoms in children.
  • growth charts - Tools used by pediatricians to monitor a child's growth over time compared to national averages.

H

  • hepatitis - An inflammatory condition of the liver, which can have specific concerns and treatments in children.
  • hypertension - High blood pressure, which can occur even in young patients and may be a sign of underlying health issues.

I

  • immunization - The process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vital in pediatric care to prevent common childhood diseases.
  • influenza - An acute viral infection that affects the respiratory system; can be serious in children and is preventable through vaccination.

J

  • jaundice - A yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes commonly seen in newborns, often due to immature liver function.

K

  • kawasaki disease - A condition that causes inflammation in the walls of some blood vessels in the body. It's most common in infants and young children.

L

  • lactose intolerance - An inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause various digestive symptoms.

M

  • measles - A highly contagious infectious disease characterized by fever and a red rash. Preventable by vaccine.
  • meningitis - An acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges.

N

  • neonatology - A subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn.
  • nutrition - The intake of food, considered in relation to the body's dietary needs. Good nutrition is important for child growth and development.

O

  • obesity - A growing concern in pediatric health care, it involves having excess body fat and is associated with increased risk of health problems.

P

  • pertussis - Also known as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which can make it hard to breathe.
  • prematurity - Birth that occurs before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature infants may have numerous health challenges.

Q

  • quality of life - A concept that includes all aspects of a child's well-being, from physical health to social comfort and psychological stability.

R

  • respiratory syncytial virus (rsv) - A common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can be severe in infants and the elderly.
  • rubella - Also known as German measles, a contagious viral disease with symptoms like a mild rash and fever, preventable by vaccine.

S

  • scoliosis - A sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty.
  • seizures - Episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can affect various mental and physical functions.

T

  • tetralogy of fallot - A rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth.
  • tonsillitis - Inflammation of the tonsils, commonly due to infection, which can be frequent in children.

U

  • umbilical hernia - A condition in infants where the belly button protrudes out due to a small opening in the abdominal muscles.
  • urinary tract infection - An infection in any part of the urinary system, which can be more common in girls.

V

  • vaccines - Preparations used to stimulate the body's immune response against diseases. A critical part of preventive pediatric care.
  • varicella - Also known as chickenpox, a highly contagious disease characterized by a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever.

W

X

  • x-ray - A diagnostic tool essential in pediatrics for assessing various conditions, from bone fractures to certain lung infections.

Y

  • yellow fever - A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions; not common but possible in children in endemic areas.

Z

  • zika virus - A mosquito-borne virus that can cause birth defects if contracted by pregnant women and is of concern in pediatric care for this reason.

List of pediatric articles



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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD