Children are not just small adults. They have special needs in every facet of their lives, and their health is no exception. The articles in this department deal with health problems that frequently affect children.
The conventional wisdom on tonsils has radically changed since you were a child. Find out how.
Learning Diability (LD) is a neurological disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. Nearly 5% of students in public schools have been identified to have LD. The cause or causes of LD have not been clearly defined, although genetics or exposure to toxins have been implicated. LD can be diagnosed through standardized testing of aptitude and achievement. Treatment of LD requires special provisions in schools to provide special educational accommodations in order to utilize the strengths of the learning disabled to assist them in learning.
The human immune system has a memory. As the body is exposed to a disease-forming organism, the immune cells (called lymphocytes) are activated, reproduce by cell division, and attack the offending organism. Some of the newly formed lymphocytes remain indefinitely in the body as memory cells. This process usually takes several days to complete. Therefore, an infectious microbe can cause much damage by the time the immune system has had time to react to, keep in check, or destroy it. For certain microbes, such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio, several days are enough to cause severe debilitating damage or death.
Drug therapy in children presents a unique challenge for those who care for them. Understanding how they differ from adults is important in providing safe and effective treatment.
Ear infection (otitis media) is the most common reason for doctor visits in the pediatric population. Otitis media is common before the age of six due to underdevelopment of the eustachian tubes in the young children. Although approximately 60% of ear infections resolve without antibiotic treatment they are usually treated to prevent complications, which include hearing impairment, infection of skull bones, and meningitis. The treatment may include placement of tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) in some children. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for otitis media.
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder has been one of the most talked about and controversial disorders of children.
