Testicular Torsion

For most boys, talking seriously about their private parts can be a little embarrassing. And for teen boys, the topic is strictly off-limits — especially in front of their moms. But if you have a son, it’s important that he knows to tell you or a health care provider if …

Turner Syndrome

Turner syndrome, a medical disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,500 girls, is a genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of two X chromosomes. Girls who have this condition usually are shorter than average and infertile due to early loss of ovarian function. …

Vaginal Yeast Infections

Yeast infections (also known as candidiasis) are common infections caused by candida albicans, a type of fungus. Yeast infections usually happen in warm, moist parts of the body, such as the mouth, and moist areas of skin. When an infection is in the vagina, it is known as vulvovaginal candidiasis. …

Your Daughter’s First Gynecology Visit

As girls grow into teens, it’s important that they receive appropriate medical care. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that young women have their first visit with an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) between the ages of 13 and 15. For most teens, the first visit will include an external …

Autism

About Autism Kids with autism (also called autism spectrum disorder) have differences in the way their brains develop and process information. They might have language delays or trouble communicating with others, perform certain unusual or repetitive behaviors, or have difficulties learning in school. No two cases of autism are exactly …

Neurocutaneous Syndromes

About Neurocutaneous Syndromes Neurocutaneous syndromes are disorders that lead to growth of tumors in various parts of the body. They’re caused by the abnormal development of cells in an embryo and characterized by the tumors in various parts of the body (including the nervous system) and by certain differences in …

Understanding Dyslexia

Reading may seem easy and automatic for people who master it without difficulty. However, reading is a complex and challenging task for our brains, so we shouldn’t be surprised that so many kids struggle with it. In fact, about 15% to 20% of the U.S. population has a specific reading …

What Is ADHD?

Lisa’s son Jack had always been a handful. Even as a preschooler, he would tear through the house like a tornado, shouting, roughhousing, and climbing the furniture. No toy or activity ever held his interest for more than a few minutes and he would often dart off without warning, seemingly …

Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)

When blood gets into urine (pee), it’s known as hematuria (hee-ma-TUR-ee-uh). Hematuria is pretty common, and most of the time it’s not serious. Peeing is one way the body gets rid of waste products. The process starts in the kidneys, which remove excess fluids and waste from the blood and turn them …

Glomerulonephritis

The kidneys are fist-sized organs in the back that are shaped like kidney beans. They filter blood and help remove waste products from the body. Tiny filtering units within the kidneys do this with the help of blood vessels called glomeruli. If the glomeruli get inflamed (swollen and irritated), it’s called …