acetaminophen: A medication used to relieve pain and fever. Used instead of aspirin when medicating children to avoid the complication of Reye’s syndrome, a condition that damages the liver and brain.
acidosis: Dangerously high levels of acidity in the blood and organs, resulting in "fruity" smelling breath, nausea, vomiting, vision disturbances and headache.
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): An potentially fatal condition in which injury to the lung’s tiny air sacs and blood vessels prevents the lungs from properly oxygenating the blood. If left untreated, ARDS can cause respiratory failure.
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder): A learning disorder characterized by impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, distractibility and/or hypervigilance. Prescription medication, such as Ritalin®, is the most common treatment for ADHD.
albuterol: A medication used to treat asthma.
allergen: Any substance that causes an allergic reaction. Common allergens include dust, peanuts, pet dander and mold.
allergic rhinitis: The medical term for hay fever, an allergic reaction to plant pollen.
allergy: An immune response to a harmless substance (an allergen) mistakenly identified as a threat. An allergy, which arises when a person comes into contact with an allergen, can cause sneezing, skin rashes, itchiness and respiratory symptoms.
anaphylactic shock: A life threatening allergic reaction resulting in inflammation, hives and a rapid drop in blood pressure. Emergency treatment, generally in the form of an adrenaline shot, is essential to saving the life of a person experiencing anaphylactic shock.
antibiotic: A medication that hinders or prevents the growth of bacteria. While antibiotics are effective at treating bacterial infections, they are useless in the face of viral infections.
aortic stenosis: An abnormal narrowing of the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. Sometimes the result of congenital defects.
ASD (autistic spectrum disorder): A term used to describe the wide range of autistic conditions, ranging from the severely autistic to the high-functioning autism seen in Asperger's syndrome.
Asperger's syndrome: A high-functioning autistic disorder. Children with Asperger's syndrome have social and linguistic impairments, as well as restricted patterns of behavior. The child, however, can function better in society than children with more severe forms of autism.
aspiration: The act of inhaling a foreign matter into the lungs. Aspiration also refers to drawing fluid from an organ or the body with a fine needle.
aspirin: A medication used to relieve pain and fever in adults. Aspirin should never be given to children, as it can result in a dangerous condition known as Reye's syndrome.
asthma: A chronic lung disease that results in difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.
asymptomatic: Describes a health condition that does not produce noticeable symptoms.
atrial septal defect: A hole, or "defect" in the wall separating the right and left sides of the heart. In patients with atrial septal defect, oxygen-rich blood leaks back into the right side of the heart and is redirected towards the lungs, increasing blood pressure in the lungs.
autism: A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by varying degrees of impairment in social relations. Autism, which typically develops before the age of three, also is marked by repetitive behavioral patterns and, at times, an inability to communicate.
balloon dilation: The use of a balloon-tipped catheter to open a blocked artery. Ballooon dilation is a common treatment for many pediatric heart conditions.
bilirubin: The red blood cell waste that appears as a yellow pigment and is found naturally in the body. Excess amounts of bilirubin cause jaundice.
bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the two major airways of the lungs.
bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the bronchioles, the small airways in the lungs.
calamine lotion: Soothing lotion often used to relieve chicken pox itching.
candida albicans: The fungus responsible for causing oral thrush.
candidiasis: A fungal infection caused by candida, the microorganism responsible for oral thrush.
cardiac catheterization: A diagnostic test in which a catheter is passed through the blood vessels into the heart. Used to both diagnose and treat heart problems, cardiac catheterization can determine blood pressure and blood flow in the heart. When used for diagnostic purposes, cardiac catheterization delivers a dye to the heart so that blood flow patterns are detectable on an x-ray.
cerebral palsy: A congenital, non-curable disability marked by lack of muscle coordination and speech problems. In many cases, cerebral palsy is accompanied by mental retardation.
chemotherapy: The use of systemic chemicals to kill fast-growing abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
chicken pox: A childhood viral illness characterized by fever and an itchy red rash.
childhood disintegrative disorder: A sudden, severe, permanent loss of developmental skills that occurs after age three.
cleft lip: A birth defect that causes a cleft, or gap, in the upper lip. Cleft lip is also referred to as “harelip.”
coarctation of the aorta: A constricted area of the aorta, the artery that pumps blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The constriction increases the heart's workload, which can result in an enlarged heart.
common cold: An upper respiratory infection that causes runny nose, sore throat, eye inflammation, coughing and sneezing. Because colds are caused by viruses, treatment revolves around alleviating the symptoms.
compliance: A willingness to follow courses of treatment or medication.
congenital: Describes any condition present from birth. Congenital conditions, such as cerebral palsy and autism, are generally lifelong disorders that don’t have cures.
conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the eyeball membranes. Conjunctivitis is also commonly known as pinkeye.
cradle cap: A scalp condition sometimes seen in infants that causes a greasy gray or brown crust.
croup: Inflammation and swelling of the throat or main airway passages. Croup causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing and a hoarse, "metallic" cough.
cyanosis: Blue or purple skin color caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis typically affects the lips and extremities.
cystic fibrosis: A hereditary disease in which excessive mucus production interferes with breathing and digestion.
dehydration: Insufficient levels of bodily fluid.
diabetes: A term used to describe several conditions in which the body either no longer produces enough insulin to control blood sugar or in which the body builds up a resistance to insulin.
diaper rash: A rash of the buttocks often seen in infants. Diaper rash is caused by prolonged skin contact with urine and feces.
diarrhea: Abnormally frequent watery, loose bowel movements
Down syndrome: A congenital disorder causing metal impairment, slanted eyes, and broad, short body features.
ductus arteriosus: A blood vessel found only in fetuses that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta. The Ductus arteriosus naturally closes in the days after birth, allowing the blood to properly oxygenate itself through contact with the lungs.
ear infection: An infection, usually of the middle ear, that causes inflammation or irritation. Ear infections are a common childhood condition.
echocardiogram: A diagnostic tool that uses ultrasound to create an image of the heart.
eczema: Skin inflammation resulting in itchy red lesions that scale and crust.
encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain.
endocarditis: Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart.
epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis, the cartilage covering the windpipe.
eustachian tube: The tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx (the portion of the pharynx that connects to the nasal passages).
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