At first, the fever often feels like an ordinary childhood illness. It comes on suddenly, runs high, and does not settle down the way parents expect. Many caregivers notice that even with fever reducers, the temperature stays stubbornly elevated. After a couple of days, other changes start to appear. The eyes look red without discharge, …
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a condition present at birth in which an opening forms in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Through this opening, abdominal organs such as the stomach, intestines, or liver move into the chest cavity. When this happens, the developing lungs do not have enough space to …
At first, it often feels like a stubborn cold that just refuses to go away. A sore throat lingers longer than expected, swallowing feels uncomfortable, and the body feels unusually heavy. Many people notice that even after a full night of sleep, the exhaustion does not lift. This kind of fatigue is different from being …
At first, it can feel like nothing more than a sore muscle. The kind of discomfort people often blame on overuse, a bad night’s sleep, or an awkward movement earlier in the day. Many people notice a deep ache in one area of the arm or leg, sometimes paired with a strange warmth under the …
Henoch–Schönlein purpura is a form of systemic vasculitis that most often affects children. It involves inflammation of small blood vessels and typically appears after a common infection such as a cold or sore throat. What draws attention first is usually the skin. Purplish spots that resemble bruises suddenly appear, most often on the legs or …
Kernicterus is a severe neurological complication that can develop when newborn jaundice becomes dangerously high. In this condition, excessive levels of indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin enter the brain and settle in vulnerable brain regions. Once this happens, the damage can be permanent. Newborns, especially those born prematurely, are particularly sensitive because the natural barrier that protects …
Imperforate anus is a congenital condition in which a newborn is born without a normal anal opening, or the anus is present but not connected correctly to the rectum. Under normal circumstances, meconium, the baby’s first stool, is passed within the first day of life. When this does not happen and the abdomen begins to …
Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart conditions. It is present at birth and involves four structural differences in the heart that affect how blood flows to the lungs and the rest of the body. The most noticeable result is reduced oxygen delivery, which often shows up as bluish discoloration …
Tic disorder is a condition where a child repeatedly makes movements or sounds without meaning to. Common examples include frequent eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, sniffing, throat clearing, or short vocal noises. These behaviors are not habits done on purpose. Children often describe a strong urge that builds up before the tic, followed by …
At first, the symptoms can feel vague. A lingering fever that doesn’t quite go away. Fatigue that feels deeper than a normal flu. Some people notice discomfort on the right side of the upper abdomen, but it’s easy to blame it on indigestion or muscle strain. Because these signs are not dramatic at the beginning, …