Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in caring for children as they grow and develop from birth through adolescence. This section covers diseases and disorders that are mostly unique to children, such as chickenpox, as well as those that may persist into adulthood, such as cystic fibrosis. Some diseases and disorders in children have defining features that are different from those seen in adults, and the treatment needed may be different. An example of this is human immunodeficiency virus infection. Diseases and disorders that affect both children and adults and that manifest similarly (for example, sore throat) are covered fully in other sections.
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Children's Health Issues
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Care of Newborns and Infants
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Health Supervision of Well Children
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Symptoms in Infants and Children
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Bacterial Infections in Infants and Children
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Behavioral Problems in Children
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Overview of Birth Defects
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Birth Defects of the Brain and Spinal Cord
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Birth Defects of the Face, Bones, Joints, and Muscles
- Introduction to Birth Defects of the Face, Bones, Joints, and Muscles
- Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
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- Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
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Clubfoot and Other Foot Defects
- Congenital Torticollis
- Craniosynostosis
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
- Dislocated Knee
- Ear Defects
- Eye Defects
- Femoral Torsion
- Hand, Finger, and Toe Defects
- Jaw Defects
- Missing or Incompletely Formed Limbs
- Muscle Defects
- Tibial Torsion
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Birth Defects of the Digestive Tract
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Birth Defects of the Heart
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Birth Defects of the Urinary Tract and Genitals
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Blood Problems in Newborns
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Bone Disorders in Children
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Childhood Cancers
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Child Neglect and Abuse
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Chromosome and Gene Abnormalities
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Congenital Kidney Tubular Disorders
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Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
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Digestive Disorders in Children
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders in Children
- Introduction to Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders in Children
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Communication Disorders in Children
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Hearing Impairment in Children
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Overview of Middle Ear Infections in Young Children
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Acute Middle Ear Infection in Children
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Chronic Middle Ear Infection in Children
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Secretory Otitis Media in Children
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Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
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Eye Disorders in Children
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Gastrointestinal (GI) and Liver Problems in Newborns
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Growth and Development
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Connective Tissue Disorders in Children
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Hereditary Metabolic Disorders
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Overview of Hereditary Metabolic Disorders
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Overview of Amino Acid Metabolism Disorders
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- Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders
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Hereditary Fructose Intolerance
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Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders
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Other Rare Hereditary Disorders of Lipid Metabolism
- Overview of Lysosomal Storage Disorders
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Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease and Wolman Disease
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Tay-Sachs Disease and Sandhoff Disease
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Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes
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Hormonal Disorders in Children
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Children
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Incontinence in Children
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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
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Learning and Developmental Disorders
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Lung and Breathing Problems in Newborns
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Mental Health Disorders in Children and Adolescents
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Overview of Mental Health Disorders in Children
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Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
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Agoraphobia in Children and Adolescents
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Children
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Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents
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Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents
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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents (Manic-Depressive Illness)
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Depression and Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Children and Adolescents
- Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents
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Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in Children and Adolescents
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Schizophrenia in Children and Adolescents
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Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders in Children
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Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents
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Miscellaneous Disorders in Infants and Young Children
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Muscular Dystrophies and Related Disorders
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Introduction to Muscular Dystrophies and Related Disorders
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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Becker Muscular Dystrophy
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Other Forms of Muscular Dystrophy
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Neurologic Disorders in Children
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Problems in Adolescents
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General Problems in Newborns
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Respiratory Disorders in Infants and Children
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Social Issues Affecting Children and Their Families
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Vaccination of Children
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Viral Infections in Infants and Children
Children's Health Issues Sections (A-Z)
Bacterial Infections in Infants and Children
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. Only some bacteria cause disease in people. Other bacteria live inside the intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, or on the skin without causing harm. Some bacteria are even thought to help keep people healthy.
Behavioral Problems in Children
Children acquire many skills as they grow. Some skills, such as controlling urine and stool, depend mainly on the level of maturity of the child's nerves and brain. Others, such as behaving appropriately at home and in school, are the result of a complicated interaction between the child's physical and intellectual (cognitive) development, health, temperament, and relationships with parents, teachers, and caregivers (see also Childhood Development). Other behaviors, such as thumb sucking, develop when children look for ways to help themselves cope with stress. Still other behaviors develop in response to parenting style.
Birth Defects of the Brain and Spinal Cord
Of the many possible defects in the brain and spinal cord, those known as neural tube defects develop within the first weeks of pregnancy. Other defects, including hydrocephalus and microcephaly, develop later in pregnancy.
Birth Defects of the Digestive Tract
A birth defect can occur anywhere along the length of the digestive tract—in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, or anus. Such birth defects include the following:
Birth Defects of the Face, Bones, Joints, and Muscles
Birth defects of the face and limbs are fairly common. They may involve only a specific body part, such as the mouth (cleft lip or cleft palate) or foot (clubfoot). Or they may be part of a genetic syndrome of many abnormalities, such as Treacher Collins syndrome, in which birth defects affect not only the face but also multiple other body parts.
Birth Defects of the Heart
Birth Defects of the Urinary Tract and Genitals
(See also Overview of the Urinary Tract.)
Blood Problems in Newborns
(See also Overview of Anemia.)
Bone Disorders in Children
Children’s bones grow continually and reshape (remodel) themselves extensively. Growth proceeds from a vulnerable part of the bone called the growth plate. In remodeling, old bone tissue is gradually replaced by new bone tissue. Many bone disorders come from the changes that occur in a growing child’s musculoskeletal system. These disorders may get better or worsen as the child grows. Other bone disorders may be inherited or occur in childhood for no known reason.
Care of Newborns and Infants
The successful transition of a fetus, which is immersed in amniotic fluid and totally dependent on the placenta for nutrition and oxygen, to a crying, air-breathing baby is a source of wonder. Healthy newborns (age birth to 1 month) and infants (age 1 month to 1 year) need good care to ensure their normal development and continued health.
Child Neglect and Abuse
Childhood Cancers
Cancer is rare among children. In the United States in 2016, slightly over 10,000 new cases are predicted to occur in children under 15 years of age, whereas almost 1.7 million cases are predicted to occur in adults. About 33% of childhood cancers are leukemia. Other cancers include brain tumors, lymphoma, and certain bone cancers (osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma of bone). About 25% of childhood cancers are brain tumors, about 8% are lymphomas, and about 4% are bone cancers.
Chromosome and Gene Abnormalities
Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain a person's genes. A gene is a segment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and contains the code for a specific protein that functions in one or more types of cells in the body (see Genes and Chromosomes for a discussion about genetics).
Congenital Kidney Tubular Disorders
The kidneys filter and cleanse the blood. They also maintain the body’s balance of water, dissolved salts (electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium), and nutrients in the blood.
Connective Tissue Disorders in Children
Connective tissue is the tough, often fibrous tissue that binds the body's structures together and provides support and elasticity. Muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are built mostly of connective tissue. Connective tissue is also present in other parts of the body, such as the skin and internal organs. The characteristics of connective tissue and the types of cells it contains vary, depending on where it is found in the body. Connective tissue is strong and thus able to support weight and tension.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Digestive Disorders in Children
(For adults, see Appendicitis.)
Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders in Children
Eye Disorders in Children
Gastrointestinal (GI) and Liver Problems in Newborns
Cholestasis is a reduction of bile formation or bile flow. As a result, bilirubin backs up into the bloodstream (hyperbilirubinemia), leading to a yellow discoloration of the whites of the eyes and skin called jaundice.
General Problems in Newborns
Growth and Development
(See also Health Supervision of the Well Child and Failure to Thrive.)
Health Supervision of Well Children
Parents can help their children achieve the best possible health. The foundation for a healthy body and mind is laid in early childhood. The early years of life are crucial for health and physical, mental, and social/emotional development. If babies' physical needs are met regularly and consistently, babies quickly learn that their caretaker is a source of satisfaction, creating a firm bond of trust and attachment. Healthy babies grow into healthy children and adolescents.
Hereditary Metabolic Disorders
Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes
Hormonal Disorders in Children
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Children
Incontinence in Children
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Learning and Developmental Disorders
Developmental disorders are better called neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders are neurologically based conditions that can interfere with the acquisition, retention, or application of specific skills or sets of information. They may involve dysfunction in attention, memory, perception, language, problem-solving, or social interaction. These disorders may be mild and easily manageable with behavioral and educational interventions, or they may be more severe and affected children may require more support.
Lung and Breathing Problems in Newborns
(See also Overview of General Problems in Newborns.)
Mental Health Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Several important mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders, often start during childhood and adolescence. Schizophrenia typically starts anytime during the middle of adolescence through young adulthood (into a person's mid-30s). Some disorders, such as autism, start only during childhood.
Miscellaneous Disorders in Infants and Young Children
Few children make it through their first years without minor problems. Crying, problems with feeding, rashes, and an occasional fever are common. These problems become health concerns only when they are extreme—for example, when children cry too much, when they are not growing well (see Failure to Thrive), or when they have high fevers that do not go away. Most childhood problems are not severe.
Muscular Dystrophies and Related Disorders
Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited muscle disorders in which one or more genes needed for normal muscle structure and function are defective, leading to muscle weakness of varying severity. Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the second most common and the most severe form. Becker muscular dystrophy is closely related to Duchenne dystrophy but starts later in a child's life and causes milder symptoms.
Neurologic Disorders in Children
Overview of Birth Defects
Problems in Adolescents
Respiratory Disorders in Infants and Children
Social Issues Affecting Children and Their Families
Symptoms in Infants and Children
Colic refers to a specific pattern of excessive, intense crying and fussing that occurs without any apparent reason (for example, hunger, illness, or injury) in otherwise healthy infants. Colic typically begins within the first month of life, is worst when the infant is about 6 weeks of age, and disappears, often rather suddenly, by 3 to 4 months of age.
Vaccination of Children
Children should be vaccinated to protect them against infectious diseases. Vaccines contain either noninfectious fragments of bacteria or viruses or whole forms of these organisms that have been weakened so that they do not cause disease. Giving a vaccine (usually by injection) stimulates the body's immune system to defend against that disease. Vaccination produces a state of immunity to disease and is thus sometimes termed immunization (see also Overview of Immunization).
Viral Infections in Infants and Children
Viral infections are common among people of all ages but often seem to be concentrated in infants and children. Most childhood viral infections are not serious and include such diverse illnesses as colds with a sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea, and fever with a rash. Some viral illnesses that cause more serious disease, such as measles, are less common now due to widespread immunization. Several types of viral infections that children can acquire are discussed in adult viral infections.
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
Which hormone allows glucose (blood sugar) to move from the blood into the cells, where it is used as the main source of fuel for the body?
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