Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix when an infection has made it inflamed and swollen. This infection, called appendicitis, is considered an emergency because it can be life threatening if untreated — occasionally, an inflamed appendix bursts after a day of symptoms. So it’s very important to have …
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Blood Transfusions
A blood transfusion is a fairly simple medical procedure. In a transfusion, a patient receives whole blood or one of its parts through an intravenous line, or IV. This is a tiny tube that is inserted into a vein using a small needle. While patients are likely to feel a …
Cardiac Catheterization
It’s normal to be nervous about a procedure that involves your child’s heart. But cardiac catheterizations are usually no cause for alarm. These procedures are often successful in kids and teens and carry a very low risk of complications. Kids are usually released from the hospital the very same day …
Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube)
About G-Tubes Some kids have medical problems that prevent them from being able to take adequate nutrition by mouth. A gastrostomy tube (also called a G-tube) is a tube inserted through the abdomen that delivers nutrition directly to the stomach. It’s one of the ways doctors can make sure kids …
Laryngoscopy
About Laryngoscopy Laryngoscopy is a visual examination below the back of the throat, where the voice box (larynx) containing the vocal cords is located. It helps doctors identify the causes of voice and breathing problems, throat or ear pain, difficulty in swallowing, narrowing of the throat (strictures or stenosis), and …
Retinopathy of Prematurity
About Retinopathy of Prematurity Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease that occurs in premature babies. It causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, the layer of nerve tissue in the eye that enables us to see. This growth can cause the retina to detach from the back …
When Your Child Needs a Cast
A cast is a big, hard bandage that’s usually made of material like fiberglass or plaster. Casts keep bones in place while they heal. Kids get casts for many reasons. Usually they’re for broken bones, but kids also might get casts to help bones and surrounding tissues grow properly, or …
When Your Child Needs a Liver Transplant
Being told that your child needs a liver transplant may leave you feeling scared, angry, or confused. You might not fully understand why your child needs a new organ or where the new organ will come from. Just thinking about the months ahead may fill you with dread and worry. …