Autistic disorder Description Severe, pervasive developmental disorder that affects social interactions and communication Degree of impairment varying Usually apparent before age 3 Poor prognosis Affects approximately 1 in 1,000 children…
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Description Behavioral problem characterized by difficulty with inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and boredom The most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood Difficult to diagnose before age 4 or…
Atrial septal defect Description Acyanotic congenital heart defect that features an opening between the left and right atria, which allows blood to flow from left to right, resulting in ineffective…
Atopic dermatitis Description Chronic, noncontagious skin disorder characterized by superficial skin inflammation and intense itching Marked by exacerbations and remissions May appear at any age but typically begins during infancy…
Aortic stenosis Description Narrowing of the aortic valve, affecting blood flow in the heart Classified as congenital, acquired, or rheumatic With congenital heart disease, symptoms possibly absent until adulthood, even…
Anemia, sickle cell Life-threatening disorder Description Congenital hemolytic disease that results from a defective hemoglobin (Hb) molecule (HbS), causing red blood cells (RBCs) to become sickle shaped Sickle-shaped cells impairing…
Allergic rhinitis Description Immune response of the upper airways triggered by inhaled airborne allergens Seasonal allergic rhinitis — an immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated type I hypersensitivity response to an environmental antigen…
Anemia, iron deficiency Description Decreased total iron body content, leading to diminished erythropoiesis Produces smaller (microcytic) cells with less color on staining (hypochromia) Most common form of anemia Pathophysiology Body…
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Description Results from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacking helper T cells Three main groups of children infected with HIV Infants of HIV-infected mothers, acquiring the infection…
