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• Splenectomies

  A splenectomy is surgery to remove an injured spleen.

• Elective Surgery

  Elective surgery means you and the doctor decide when the it will happen. Many elective surgeries are important, potentially life-changing operations. Here's how to plan for them.

• Helping Kids Take Medicine

  Try these tips to get kids to take "yucky" medicines.

• How to Safely Give Ibuprofen

  What kind? How much? How often? Find out how to give this pain medicine.

• How to Safely Store and Dispose of Medicines

  Part of using medicines safely is knowing how to store them and how to get rid of them after they expire or are no longer needed.

• Pharmacogenetics: How Genetic Testing Can Guide Medicine Decisions

  Pharmacogenetics, also called pharmacogenomics, is the study of how our genes affect our response to some, but not all, medicines.

• Precision Medicine

  Precision medicine is a new way to treat and prevent illnesses. It uses the differences in a person's genes, environment, and lifestyle to customize care.

• Sedation

  Sedation is the use of medicines to help someone relax and not feel pain during a medical procedure.

• Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medicine: What Parents Need to Know

  If your child’s health care provider prescribed a prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid, you probably have many questions about how to use it safely. Get answers here.

• The Lymphatic System & Lymphatic Conditions

  The body's lymphatic system keeps fluid levels in balance and defends against infections. But problems can happen. Learn about lymphatic conditions and how they're treated.

• Acupuncture

  Acupuncture is the practice of putting tiny needles into specific spots of the body for medical therapy. Scientific evidence shows that it works for some kinds of medical conditions by stimulating the body to release natural pain killers and other chemicals.

• Anesthesia

  Knowing the basics of anesthesia may help answer your questions and ease some concerns — both yours and your child's.

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  Complementary and alternative medicine are types of medicine and healing that differ from conventional medicine. They include things like mind–body therapies, nutritional therapies, body-based therapies, and whole medicine systems.

• Minimally Invasive Surgery

  Minimally invasive surgery is a type of procedure done with smaller incisions (cuts).

• Managing Home Health Care

  When kids need intensive health care after they're discharged from the hospital, family and caregivers should learn about the devices, equipment, and support they'll need.

• Palliative Care

  Palliative care provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to sick children and their families.

• Caring for Your Child With Cerebral Palsy (CP): Ages 6–12

  If you have a school-age child with cerebral palsy, there's a lot to know. This checklist makes it easy to find out what programs and services may be available to you.

• Caring for Your Teen With Cerebral Palsy (CP): Age 13 and Up

  If your teen has cerebral palsy, there's a lot to know. This checklist makes it easy to determine what programs and services might be needed as your teen nears adulthood.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disease. It's a physical condition that also can also affect a person emotionally.

• Clinical Trials

  Deciding to enroll your child in a clinical study will depend on its potential benefits and risks, as well as your child's particular illness. Learn more.

• Diabetes: When to Call the Doctor

  Caring for a child with diabetes includes knowing when to get medical help. Learn more about when to call the doctor.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 19 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 19.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 2 Years (24 Months)

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the second year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 2.5 Years (30 Months)

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your toddler might be doing at this age.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 20 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 20.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 21 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 21.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 3 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the third year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 4 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the fourth year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 5 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the fifth year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 6 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the sixth year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 7 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the seventh year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 8 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the eighth year.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 9 Months

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your baby might be doing by 9 months old.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 9 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by the ninth year.

• Your Child’s Checkups

  These age-specific guides can help you be prepared for and keep track of your well-child visits.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 1 Year (12 Months)

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your baby might be doing by the first birthday.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 1.5 Years (18 Months)

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your toddler might be doing by 18 months.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 10 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your child might be doing by age 10.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 11 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your child is 11.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 12 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your child is 12.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 13 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your teen is 13.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 14 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your teen is 14.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 15 Months

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your toddler might be doing by 15 months.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 15 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 15.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 16 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 16.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 17 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 17.

• Your Child’s Checkup: 18 Years

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve when your son or daughter is 18.

• X-Ray Exam: Neck

  A neck X-ray can help doctors diagnose many conditions, including stridor, croup, hoarseness due to swelling in or near the airways, and problems with tonsils and adenoids.

• X-Ray Exam: Scoliosis

  Kids with scoliosis have a spine that curves, like an S or a C. If scoliosis is suspected, a doctor may order X-rays to measure the curvature of the spine.

• Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)

  A VCUG can help evaluate the bladder's size and shape, and look for problems, such as a blockage. It can also show whether pee is moving in the right direction.

• Wound Drainage Culture

  Doctors order wound drainage cultures when they suspect wounds are infected.

• X-Ray Exam: Abdomen

  An abdominal X-ray can help find the cause of problems such as pain, kidney stones, intestinal blockage, a hole in the intestine, or an abdominal mass such as a tumor.

• The Schroth Method of Physical Therapy

  The Schroth Method is a type of physical therapy. Its exercises help people with scoliosis or kyphosis have better posture.

• Types of Blood Tests

  Blood tests help doctors check how the body’s organs — such as the kidneys, liver, and thyroid, and heart — are working, and see if medical treatments are helpful. Here are some that kids might get.

• Ultrasound: Abdomen

  Doctors order abdominal ultrasounds when they're concerned about symptoms such as belly pain, repeated vomiting, abnormal liver or kidney function tests, or a swollen belly.

• Ultrasound: Bladder

  Doctors order bladder ultrasounds when there's a concern about bladder problems, such as difficulty urinating or daytime wetting.

• Ultrasound: Head

  Doctors order head ultrasounds when there's a concern about neurological problems in an infant.

• Ultrasound: Infant Hip

  Doctors order a hip ultrasound when they suspect a problem called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

• Ultrasound: Pelvis

  A pelvic ultrasound can detect tumors or cysts and help diagnose pelvic pain, some urinary problems, or abnormal menstrual bleeding.

• Ultrasound: Renal (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder)

  A renal ultrasound makes images of your child's kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Doctors may order this test if they suspect kidney damage, cysts, tumors, kidney stones, or complications from urinary tract infections.

• Ultrasound: Scrotum

  Doctors order a scrotal ultrasound when they're concerned about symptoms such as scrotal pain or swelling.

• Ultrasound: Transcranial Doppler

  A transcranial Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow (blood circulation) in and around the brain. Doctors order this test to check blood vessels when a problem is affecting blood flow to the brain.

• Ultrasounds

  An ultrasound scan is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images from the inside the body. Here are some types of ultrasounds often done.

• Urine Test: 24-Hour Analysis for Kidney Stones

  This test can show if certain substances are found at high concentrations in the urine, and might be causing kidney stones.

• Urine Test: Automated Dipstick Urinalysis

  Automated dipstick urinalysis results may point to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or injury, kidney disease, or diabetes.

• Urine Test: Calcium

  A urine calcium test can help monitor or determine the cause of kidney stones and other kidney diseases, or detect overactivity or underactivity in the parathyroid glands.

• Urine Test: Creatinine

  Low levels of creatinine in the urine may point to a kidney disease, certain muscular and neuromuscular disorders, or an obstruction of the urinary tract.

• Urine Test: Dipstick

  A urine dipstick test is often done as part of an overall urinalysis. The results of this test can help doctors diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney disease, diabetes, or a urinary tract injury.

• Urine Test: Microalbumin-to-Creatinine Ratio

  The microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio test is most commonly used to screen for kidney problems in teens with diabetes. It may also be used to monitor kidney function in kids and teens who have a kidney disease.

• Urine Test: Microscopic Urinalysis

  A microscopic urinalysis can help detect a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney problems, diabetes, or a urinary tract injury.

• Urine Test: Protein

  The urine protein test is most commonly used to screen for kidney disease and also can help monitor kidney function.

• Urine Test: Routine Culture

  A urine culture is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) and find out what kinds of germs are causing it.

• Sleep Study (Polysomnogram)

  A sleep study (or polysomnogram) helps doctors diagnose sleep problems. It is an overnight test that can record a variety of body functions while a child sleeps.

• Spinal Cord Injuries

  A spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord gets cut, bruised, stretched, or poked. It can change the way the body moves, feels, and functions.

• Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

  Find out how and why doctors perform lumbar punctures (spinal taps).

• Spirometry

  Spirometry measures how much and how quickly someone breathes in and out. It can help diagnose and monitor diseases that make it hard to breathe.

• Stool Test: Bacteria Culture

  A stool culture helps doctors determine if there's a bacterial infection in the intestines.

• Stool Test: C. Difficile Toxin

  A doctor may request a Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin stool test if your child has taken antibiotics in the past month or so and has had diarrhea for several days.

• Stool Test: Fecal Blood

  Stool samples can provide information about a problem in the GI system. To test the stool for the presence of blood, a noninvasive test - the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - is performed.

• Stool Test: Giardia Antigen

  This test may be done if a child has watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, large amounts of intestinal gas, appetite loss, and nausea or vomiting.

• Stool Test: H. Pylori Antigen

  A doctor may request an H. pylori antigen stool test if your child has symptoms that indicate a peptic ulcer, such as indigestion, abdominal pain, a full or bloated feeling, nausea, frequent belching, or vomiting.

• Stool Test: Ova and Parasites (O&P)

  This exam may be done if your child has diarrhea for an extended period, blood or mucus in the stool, abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, or fever.

• Strep Test: Rapid

  A rapid strep test is done to help quickly determine whether a sore throat is caused by a strep infection vs. other germs (usually viruses) that don't require antibiotic treatment.

• Surgeries and Procedures: Laryngoscopy

  Laryngoscopy, a visual examination below the back of the throat, can help discover the causes of voice and breathing problems, pain in the throat or ear, difficulty in swallowing, narrowing of the throat, blockages in the airway, and vocal cord problems.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body's organs and structures.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Lumbar Spine

  A lumbar spine MRI is a painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the bones, disks, and other structures in the lower back.

• PET/MRI Scan

  A PET/MRI scan is an imaging test that combines PET and MRI in one session. It creates very detailed pictures of the inside of the body.

• CT (CAT) Scan: Head

  A CT scan of the head uses a special X-ray machine to take pictures of the brain, skull, and sinuses, as well as blood vessels in the head.

• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Chloride Sweat Test

  Is your child scheduled to have a sweat test? Find out how this test is performed and how it's used to diagnose cystic fibrosis.

• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Respiratory Screen: Sputum

  Kids with cystic fibrosis (CF) often get lung and airway infections. A sputum CF respiratory screen or culture helps doctors detect, identify, and treat infection-causing bacteria or fungi.

• ECG (Electrocardiogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an ECG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• EEG (Electroencephalogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an EEG? Find out how this test is done and when you can expect the results.

• EMG (Electromyogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an EMG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• Getting a CT (CAT) Scan

  CT scans give doctors more detailed images than X-rays can provide. Here's what it's like to get one of these tests.

• Getting an MRI

  An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a safe and painless test that uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the body's organs, muscles, soft tissues, and structures. Here's what to expect.

• Blood Test: Magnesium

  Doctors do this test to assess blood levels of magnesium, which helps the muscles and nerves function, the heart maintain normal rhythm, the bones stay strong, and the body process energy and make proteins.

• Blood Test: Phosphorus

  Doctors may order a phosphorus blood test to help diagnose or monitor kidney disorders, calcium and bone problems, or other conditions.

• Blood Test: Prolactin

  A prolactin test can help diagnose prolactinoma, a usually benign tumor of the pituitary gland, irregular menstrual periods, thyroid or adrenal gland dysfunction, and other problems.

• Blood Test: Prothrombin Time (PT)

  Doctors may order a PT test as part of an evaluation for a bleeding disorder or to monitor the effects of blood-thinning medicine.

• Blood Test: Reticulocyte Count

  This test measures the rate at which reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) are made in the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. A reticulocyte count can provide information about a child's anemia.

• Blood Test: Somatomedin C (IGF-1)

  A somatomedin C test usually is ordered to check for pituitary gland disorder and problems with growth hormones production.

• Blood Test: T3 Resin Uptake (T3RU)

  Doctors may order the T3 resin uptake when a child's symptoms or previous blood tests seem to suggest thyroid dysfunction.

• Blood Test: T3 Total (Triiodothyronine)

  The T3 total test is part of an evaluation of thyroid function. It's particularly useful in diagnosing hyperthyroidism, which can cause symptoms such as a fast heart rate, weight loss, trembling and sweating.

• Blood Test: T4 (Thyroxine)

  Doctors may order the T4 blood test if a person has symptoms that suggest any kind of thyroid disorder.

• Blood Test: Testosterone

  A testosterone blood test may be done if a child seems to be entering puberty earlier or later than expected, or to check for damage or disease of the testes or ovaries, adrenal glands, or pituitary glands.

• Blood Test: Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)

  Doctors do thyroglobulin antibodies tests to help diagnose autoimmune conditions involving the thyroid gland, or when they suspect a thyroid disorder.

• Blood Test: Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies

  The thyroid peroxidase antibodies test can help doctors diagnose and monitor autoimmune conditions involving the thyroid gland, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves disease.

• Blood Test: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

  Doctors may order TSH blood tests to diagnose and monitor treatment of a thyroid disorder or see how the pituitary gland is working.

• Blood Test: Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTg-IgA)

  The tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTg-IgA) test is usually done to help doctors diagnose celiac disease.

• Blood Test: Uric Acid

  Doctors may order this test if they suspect high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Some kids with leukemia or other types of cancer can have high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia).

• Blood Test: Valproic Acid

  Doctors may order a blood test for valproic acid, an anticonvulsant drug prescribed mainly to prevent seizures, to see how the liver is processing the medicine.

• Blood Test: von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Activity – Ristocetin Cofactor

  A von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity - ristocetin cofactor test lets doctors evaluate the functioning of a protein that helps blood to clot.

• Blood Test: von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Antigen

  Doctors order the vWF antigen test to help diagnose or monitor the treatment of von Willebrand disease.

• CT (CAT) Scan: Abdomen

  An abdominal CT scan uses a special X-ray machine to take pictures of the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and adrenal glands, blood vessels, and lymph nodes.

• Blood Test: Factor IX Activity

  Doctors order the factor IX activity test to help diagnose or monitor the treatment of hemophilia B.

• Blood Test: Factor VIII Activity

  A factor VIII activity blood test enables doctors to evaluate the functioning of a protein that helps blood to clot.

• Blood Test: Ferritin (Iron)

  Doctors may order a ferritin test when they suspect kids have too little or too much iron in their bodies.

• Blood Test: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an important role in sexual development. An FSH test to measure the level of FSH in the bloodstream may be done if puberty seems to be starting earlier or later than expected.

• Blood Test: Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)

  A GGT blood test helps doctors look for problems with the liver or bile ducts.

• Blood Test: Glucose

  The blood glucose test, which measures the amount of sugar in the blood, may be done as part of a routine physical or to help diagnose diabetes.

• Blood Test: Hemoglobin

  Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. A hemoglobin test can be done as part of a routine checkup to screen for problems and or because a child isn't feeling well.

• Blood Test: Hemoglobin A1c

  Doctors use a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test to determine if your child's diabetes management plan needs to be adjusted.

• Blood Test: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

  A hemoglobin electrophoresis can help diagnose diseases involving abnormal hemoglobin production, and often is performed as part of newborn screening tests.

• Blood Test: Hepatic (Liver) Function Panel

  A hepatic function panel is a blood test that helps doctors check for liver injury, infection, or disease. It also can check for side effects in the liver from some medicines.

• Blood Test: Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

  Checking IgA levels can help doctors diagnose problems with the immune system, intestines, and kidneys. It's also used to check autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease.

• Blood Test: Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM)

  Immunoglobulins (antibodies in the blood) can give doctors important information about the immune system, especially relating to infection or autoimmune disease.

• Blood Test: Insulin

  This test is often used to evaluate the cause of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or any other conditions related to abnormal insulin production.

• Blood Test: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

  Lactate dehydrogenase (also called lactic acid dehydrogenase, or LDH) is an enzyme found in almost all body tissues. The LDH test is generally used to screen for tissue damage.

• Blood Test: Lead

  In babies and young kids whose brains are still developing, even a small amount of lead can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems. A lead test can determine the amount of lead in the blood.

• Blood Test: Lipase

  A lipase test may be done if a child has signs of a problem with the pancreas, such as belly pain, nausea, or vomiting.

• Blood Test: Lipid Panel

  Results from a lipid panel enable your doctor to evaluate the levels of different kinds of fats in the blood.

• Blood Test: Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

  A luteinizing hormone (LH) test measures the level of this hormone in the bloodstream. LH plays an important role in sexual development.

• Blood Test: 17-Hydroxyprogesterone

  The 17-hydroxyprogesterone test is mainly used to check for the most common form of the genetic disorder congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in infants and children.

• Blood Test: Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT, or SGPT)

  An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) blood test is often part of an initial screening for liver disease.

• Blood Test: Amylase

  An amylase test may be done if a child has signs of a problem with the pancreas, such as belly pain, nausea, or vomiting.

• Blood Test: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, or SGOT)

  An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) blood test is often part of an initial screening for liver problems.

• Blood Test: Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

  A basic metabolic panel (BMP), commonly ordered as part of routine medical exam, is a set of blood tests that gives information about sugar (glucose) and calcium levels, kidney function, and electrolyte and fluid balance.

• Blood Test: Bilirubin

  Doctors may order bilirubin blood tests for infants or older kids if they see signs of jaundice.

• Blood Test: C-Peptide

  A C-peptide test can help doctors tell the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It also can help find the cause of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

• Blood Test: C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

  A C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test is used to identify inflammation or infection in the body.

• Blood Test: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

  A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) blood test helps evaluate kidney and liver function, sugar (glucose) and protein levels in the blood, and electrolyte and fluid balance.

• Blood Test: Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate (DHEA-S)

  Doctors may order a DHEA-S test if a child shows signs of sexual development earlier than expected. It can rule out certain diseases of the testes or ovaries, or help diagnose damage or disease of the pituitary gland.

• Blood Test: Estradiol

  Estradiol is the most important form of the hormone estrogen. Doctors may order an estradiol test if puberty seems to be starting earlier or later than expected, or to evaluate menstrual problems.

• Surgeries and Procedures: Retinopathy of Prematurity

  Retinopathy of prematurity, which mostly occurs in premature babies, is a disease that causes abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Sometimes surgery is needed to prevent vision loss or blindness.

• Tracheostomy

  A tracheostomy is a surgically made opening in the front of the neck that goes directly into the airway. This keeps the pathway open so air can go through a tube, into the airway, and to the lungs.

• Words to Know: Transplants

  Easy-to-understand definitions of some key transplant terms.

• Aspiration and Biopsy: Bone Marrow

  A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are performed to examine bone marrow, the spongy liquid part of the bone where blood cells are made.

• Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC Line)

  A PICC line is like an IV line, but is much longer and can stay in place for longer periods.

• Surgeries and Procedures: Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube)

  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. Read this article to find out more about the gastrostomy procedure.

• Embolization

  Embolization is a procedure in which plugging material or a plugging object is put into a blood vessel to block it. It's used to help treat many conditions.