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• Your Child’s Checkup: 4 Months

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

• Your Child’s Checkup: 6 Months

  Find out what this doctor's visit will involve and what your baby might be doing by 6 months.

• When Your Baby’s in the NICU

  Learn what a NICU visit will be like for your little one, what you can do to help, and how to find support for yourself.

• Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

  Shortly before birth, a boy's testicles usually descend into the scrotum. When a testicle doesn't make the move, this is called cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles.

• Prenatal Test: Multiple Marker Test

  The multiple marker test is a blood test done to screen for neural tube defects and chromosomal disorders.

• Omphalocele

  A baby born with an omphalocele has an opening where the umbilical cord goes into the belly. Some openings close on their own, but many need treatment, including surgery.

• Getting the Most From a Doctor’s Visit

  Here are tips on the best ways to communicate with your child's doctor and get the most information during a visit.

• Health Screening Tests

  Health screening tests are routine tests that check for problems before signs show up. When problems are found early, the care is often simpler and may work better.

• How Can I Comfort My Baby During Shots?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• How Vaccines Help: Common Questions

  Vaccines protect kids from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about what they are, how they work, and what they do.

• Choosing a Pediatrician for Your New Baby

  Along with considering baby names and buying a crib, choosing the right health care provider should be on your to-do list when you're expecting.

• Circumcision

  You have a decision to make before you take your newborn son home: whether to circumcise him. Before deciding, talk to your doctor and consider the issues.

• Prenatal Test: Nonstress Test

  This test checks to see if the baby responds normally to stimulation and is getting enough oxygen. It's done to check on the health of the fetus in a high-risk pregnancy or when the due date has passed.

• Prenatal Test: Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS)

  This quick test examines fetal blood directly from the umbilical cord. It's used to detect disorders in the fetus.

• Prenatal Test: Ultrasound

  A prenatal ultrasound is a safe and painless test that shows a baby's shape and position. It can be done in the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy.

• Prenatal Tests: FAQs

  Every parent-to-be hopes for a healthy baby, but it can be hard not to worry. Find out what tests can keep you informed of your health — and your baby's — throughout pregnancy.

• Prenatal Tests: First Trimester

  Find out what tests may be offered to you during the first trimester of pregnancy.

• Prenatal Tests: Second Trimester

  Find out what tests may be offered to you during weeks 13 through 26 of pregnancy.

• Prenatal Tests: Third Trimester

  Find out what tests may be offered to you during weeks 27 through 40 of pregnancy.

• Inducing Labor

  Find out why doctors may induce labor if you're past your due date, how it may be done, and how it may affect you and your baby.

• Prenatal Test: Amniocentesis

  In amniocentesis, doctors take a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds a baby to check for signs of problems such as chromosomal disorders, genetic problems, and neural tube defects

• Prenatal Test: Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

  A chorionic villus sampling (CVS) checks cells from the placenta for chromosomal abnormalities. Most women whose pregnancies are not high-risk don't need this test.

• Prenatal Test: Contraction Stress Test

  A contraction stress test measures the fetal heart rate to ensure that a baby can handle contractions during labor.

• Prenatal Test: First Trimester Screening

  The first trimester screening (or first trimester screen) includes a blood test and an ultrasound exam. It's done to see if a fetus is at risk for a chromosomal abnormality or birth defect.

• Prenatal Test: Glucose Screening

  Glucose screenings check for gestational diabetes, a short-term form of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy.

• Birthing Centers and Hospital Maternity Services

  Where you choose to give birth is an important decision. Is a hospital or a birth center right for you? Knowing the facts can help you make your decision.

• Cesarean Sections (C-Sections)

  Many babies are delivered via cesarean sections. Learn why and how C-sections are done.

• Epidurals

  Epidurals can make giving birth more calm, controlled, and comfortable. Find out more.

• What Is the Apgar Score?

  The Apgar score is the very first test given to a newborn, done right after birth in the delivery or birthing room.

• What Is an Insulin Pump?

  An insulin pump is a wearable device that some people with diabetes use to get insulin, instead of getting it from an injection.

• Preparing Teens With Diabetes for Adult Care

  Most teens with diabetes should switch to an adult health care provider when they're between 18 and 21 years old. Here's how parents can help them get ready in the years leading up to the switch.

• Medicines for Diabetes

  Whether your child is taking insulin or pills (or both) to control diabetes, it's important to learn how diabetes medicines work.

• Taking Insulin for Diabetes

  Some people with diabetes need to take insulin to help keep their blood sugars in a healthy range.

• Glucagon and Diabetes

  Sometimes, if someone with diabetes has very low blood sugar, they need a dose of glucagon to get their blood sugar back to a healthy range.

• Insulin Injections

  Before giving an insulin injection, know the basics so you can set up and do it safely and with confidence.

• Your Daughter’s First Gynecology Visit

  The idea of going to the gynecologist may make your daughter feel nervous. Here's how to make her feel more comfortable about a well-woman visit.

• Radioembolization (TARE-Y90) for Liver Tumors

  Radioembolization is a procedure used to treat some kinds of liver tumors. A radioactive material works on the tumor, not the healthy tissue around it.

• Skull Base Surgery

  Skull base surgery is done to remove tumors and other growths that appear at the bottom of the skull.

• Radiation Therapy

  Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, irradiation, or X-ray therapy, is one of the most common forms of cancer treatment.

• MIBG Treatment for Neuroblastoma

  MIBG is a molecule that doctors combine with low-dose radioactive iodine to look for neuroblastoma. Given with higher-dose radioactive iodine, it can treat this cancer.

• Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with medicines that stop the growth of cancer cells.

• X-Ray Exam: Ankle

  An ankle X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and swelling, or deformity of the ankle joint. It can also detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Bone Age Study

  A bone age study can help evaluate how a child's skeleton is maturing, which can help doctors diagnose conditions that delay or accelerate growth.

• X-Ray Exam: Cervical Spine

  This X-ray can, among other things, help find the cause of neck, shoulder, upper back, or arm pain. It's commonly done after someone has been in an automobile or other accident.

• X-Ray Exam: Elbow

  An elbow X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or a deformity. It can also help to detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Finger

  Doctors may order a finger X-ray to find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, or swelling, or to detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Foot

  A foot X-ray can help doctors find the cause pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformities. It also can detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Forearm

  A forearm X-ray can help doctors find the causes of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity. It can detect broken bones, and after a broken bone has been set, see if it has healed properly.

• X-Ray Exam: Hand

  A hand X-ray can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, and deformity. It also can detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Hip

  A hip X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as limping, pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity in the hip area. It can detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Knee

  A knee X-ray can help find the causes of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the knee, and detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Leg Length

  Some kids may have significant differences in the length of their legs, a condition known as leg length discrepancy. This X-ray exam can help doctors see the exact difference in leg length so they can decide on a treatment.

• X-Ray Exam: Lower Leg (Tibia and Fibula)

  An X-ray of the tibia and fibula can help find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the lower leg. It can detect broken bones, and after a broken bone has been set, help see if it has healed well.

• X-Ray Exam: Pelvis

  A pelvis X-ray can help find the cause pain, swelling, or deformity in the pelvic, hip, or upper leg regions, and can detect broken bones.

• X-Ray Exam: Upper Arm (Humerus)

  An upper arm X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the upper arm. It can detect a broken bone, and after the bone has been set, show if it has healed well.

• X-Ray Exam: Upper Leg (Femur)

  A femur X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, limp, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the upper leg. It can detect a broken bone, and after a broken bone has been set, it can help determine whether the bone is in alignment.

• X-Ray Exam: Wrist

  A wrist X-ray is a safe and painless test that can help find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, or show deformities of the wrist joint. It can also detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exams

  An X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to make an image of bones, organs, and other parts of the body.

• The Ravitch Procedure

  The Ravitch procedure is a surgery to correct severe pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum.

• Rigo Cheneau Brace

  A Rigo Cheneau brace is a type of spine brace for scoliosis. Used with physical therapy, it can improve a child’s posture.

• Spinal Fusion Surgery

  A spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that's done to stabilize or straighten the bones in the back. It can help kids and teens with scoliosis.

• Pectus Excavatum: The Nuss Procedure

  The Nuss procedure is a surgery to correct severe pectus excavatum. It’s considered "minimally invasive" because only a few small cuts are needed.

• Limb Lengthening Surgery: External Fixator

  Limb lengthening surgery is done when someone has a leg length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other). Sometimes this is treated with an external fixator.

• Limb Lengthening Surgery: Internal Lengthening Device

  Limb lengthening surgery is done when someone has a leg length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other). Sometimes this is treated with an internal lengthening device (a rod with a magnet).

• External Fixator: Pin Care

  External fixators used for limb lengthening have pins that go through the skin and into the bone. It's important to know how to care for the pins at home to prevent infections.

• Getting an X-Ray

  An X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to make an image of bones, organs, and other parts of the body. Here's how they're done.

• Halo-Gravity Traction

  Halo-gravity traction is a way to pull the head and spine upward. Doctors use it to treat curvature of the spine and to prepare kids for spinal fusion surgery.

• Casts

  Casts keep bones and other tissues in place while they heal. Here's what to expect, and how to care for casts.

• What’s a Nasopharyngoscopy? (Video)

  A nasopharyngoscopy is a quick procedure that uses a special camera to help a doctor look at the back of the throat.

• Arthrogram

  An arthrogram is a test done to look inside a joint for injuries or other problems.

• Basilar Invagination

  Basilar invagination is when the top of the spine pushes up into the base of the skull. It causes pinching and pressing on the brain stem.

• Tympanoplasty

  Tympanoplasty is a surgery to repair a hole in the eardrum that doesn’t close on its own. It can improve hearing and prevent water from getting into the middle ear.

• Nasopharyngoscopy

  A nasopharyngoscopy is an exam doctors do to view the back of the throat.

• Speech-Language Therapy

  Working with a certified speech-language pathologist can help a child with speech or language difficulties.

• Microtia

  Microtia is when the outside part of the ear smaller than normal and, sometimes, misshapen. Children with microtia usually have normal hearing. If needed, treatments can reshape the ear.

• Orofacial Clefts

  A cleft is when tissues of the mouth or lip don't form properly when a baby is developing in the womb. The good news is that orofacial clefts are treatable.

• Sinonasal Tumors

  A sinonasal tumor is a growth in the nose, the space behind the nose, or in the sinuses. The tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

• Tonsillectomy

  A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. It's one of the most common surgeries kids and teens get. Find out more.

• What’s Ear Tube Surgery (Myringotomy)? (Video)

  A doctor might suggest ear tube surgery if a child gets many ear infections that don't clear up easily or the ear infections seem to be causing hearing loss or speech delay. Ear tube surgery can drain fluid from the middle ear, prevent future infections, and help the child hear properly again.

• What’s a Cochlear Implant? (Video)

  A cochlear implant is a surgically placed device that helps a person with severe hearing loss hear sounds. Doctors consider cochlear implants for children under 12 months of age with profound hearing loss in both ears. Older children with serious hearing loss also may get cochlear implants.

• Hearing Tests

  Hearing problems can be overcome if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and checked regularly.

• Immunizations and Cochlear Implants

  Children with cochlear implants have a higher risk than other kids of getting some types of bacterial meningitis. Vaccines can help protect them.

• Cleft Palate With Cleft Lip

  A cleft palate with a cleft lip is when a baby's lip and palate (roof of mouth) don't form properly during pregnancy. Most kids with cleft lip and palate are treated successfully with no lasting problems.

• Cochlear Implants

  Cochlear implants can help many kids with severe hearing loss. Find out how they work and who can get them.

• Ear Tube Surgery

  Many kids get middle ear infections (otitis media). Doctors may suggest ear tube surgery for those with multiple infections or a hearing loss or speech delay.

• Ureteral Stent

  A ureteral stent is a small plastic tube placed inside the ureter to help pee pass from a kidney into the bladder.

• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test

  An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is a safe and painless test that gives health care providers information about possible hearing loss.

• Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

  Enlarged adenoids are normal some kids, but others need surgery. Often, tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time.

• Anotia

  Anotia is when a baby’s ear doesn’t form normally, so the baby is born with the outer part of their ear missing.

• Aural Atresia

  Aural atresia is a condition that happens before birth in which a baby’s ear canal doesn’t form. It causes hearing loss, but treatments can help most children hear better.

• Cleft Lip

  A cleft lip is when a baby's lip doesn't form properly during pregnancy. Most kids can have surgery to repair one early in life.

• Cleft Palate

  A cleft palate is when a baby is born with a cleft (gap) in the roof of the mouth. Most kids can have surgery to repair them early in life.

• Dialysis

  Dialysis is a medical treatment that can take over the job of cleaning the blood when the kidneys can't.

• Hemodialysis

  Hemodialysis is a medical treatment that uses a machine with a special filter to take waste and extra water out of the blood.

• Meatoplasty

  The treatment for meatal stenosis is a simple procedure to make the opening of the meatus bigger called a meatoplasty.

• Peritoneal Dialysis

  This medical treatment helps people with kidney failure. It can be done at home, often overnight, to take over the kidneys' job of filtering blood.

• What Is a Cardiac Catheterization? (Video)

  A cardiac catheterization is a procedure that cardiologists (heart doctors) do. They put a catheter (a long, thin tube) into a blood vessel, then guide it the heart. Cardiac catheterizations help doctors diagnose and treat many different heart problems.

• X-Ray Exam: Chest

  A chest X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to take a picture of a person's chest, including the heart, lungs, diaphragm, lymph nodes, upper spine, ribs, collarbone, and breastbone.

• Ventricular Assist Device

  A ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that takes over for the heart and pumps blood. This can give a weak or injured heart time to heal or support someone as they wait for a heart transplant.

• Sclerotherapy

  Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which medicine is injected into blood vessels or lymph vessels to make them close. It's used to treat vascular malformations.

• The Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Conditions

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

• Pulse Oximetry (Pulse Ox)

  Pulse oximetry, a simple test that measures the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, may give the first clue that there is a heart or lung problem.

• Splenic Sequestration

  Splenic sequestration is when too many blood cells get stuck in the spleen. This medical emergency can happen to people, usually kids, who have sickle cell disease.

• Levo-Transposition of the Great Arteries

  Levo-transposition of the great arteries (L-TGA) is when the positions of the heart's ventricles are reversed. Some people with the condition never need treatment. Others are treated with medicines and surgery.

• Myocarditis

  The muscle that makes up the heart is called the myocardium. Myocarditis is when this muscle gets inflamed (swollen).

• Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

  Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the use of a machine to do the work that the heart and lungs normally do.

• Echocardiogram

  An echocardiogram (also called an echo or cardiac ultrasound) uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It shows the structure of the heart and its parts and how well they’re working.

• Fetal Echocardiogram

  A fetal echocardiogram (also called a fetal echo) uses sound waves to create pictures of an unborn baby's heart.

• Heart Transplant

  If your child needs a heart transplant, you're probably feeling lots of emotions. Fortunately, many kids who undergo heart transplants go on to live normal, healthy lives.

• Cardiac Catheterization

  This minimally invasive procedure helps doctors perform diagnostic tests on the heart and even treat some heart conditions.

• Cardiac Stents

  Cardiac stents are very small mesh wire tubes that hold blood vessels open so that blood can flow through the vessels normally. Find out about the procedure to place a stent.

• Congenital Heart Defects

  Heart defects happen when there's a problem with a baby's heart development during pregnancy. Most heart defects can be treated during infancy.

• Atrioventricular Canal Defect

  An atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal) is a heart problem in which the center of a baby's heart does not form normally before birth.

• Congestive Heart Failure

  Heart failure is when the heart can’t pump blood the way it should. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is when blood backs up in the heart.

• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

  Retinopathy of prematurity, which can happen in premature babies, causes abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Some children will need surgery to prevent vision loss or blindness.

• Tear-Duct Blockage

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. The earlier they're discovered, the less likely it is that infection will result or surgery will be necessary.

• Quick Video Summary: Treating Tear-Duct Blockage (Tear Duct Massage)

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. If your child has a blocked tear duct, your doctor may show you how to massage the eye several times a day at home for a few months. Massaging can help open the blockage.

• VP Shunts

  A VP shunt is a small plastic tube that helps drain extra cerebrospinal fluid from the brain. Most VP shunts are placed to treat hydrocephalus.

• Vagus Nerve Stimulator Therapy for Epilepsy

  Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) therapy is a treatment for epilepsy. It helps prevent or shorten the length of seizures.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Brain

  A brain MRI, a safe and painless test that produces detailed images of the brain and the brain stem, can help detect cysts, tumors, bleeding, and other problems.

• Spina Bifida

  Spina bifida is a birth defect in infants that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. Learn more about spina bifida. Learn More.

• Epilepsy Surgery

  Epilepsy surgery is an operation done on the brain to reduce or stop seizures.

• How Can I Help My Child Use a Nebulizer?

  Nebulizers are often used with young children because they require little effort on the child's part. But kids do need to stay in one place and cooperate. If you're having trouble giving treatments, this article is for you!

• ADHD Medicines

  Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a child's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for parents has details on how ADHD medicines help.

• What’s a Double Barrel Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what a double barrel ostomy is and how it works.

• What’s a Loop Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what a loop ostomy is and how it works.

• What’s an End Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what an end ostomy is and how it works.

• X-Ray Exam: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (Upper GI)

  An upper GI X-ray can help find the cause of swallowing problems, unexplained vomiting, abdominal discomfort, severe indigestion, ulcers, reflux, hiatal hernia, or blockages.

• Treating Indirect Inguinal Hernia (Video)

  An inguinal hernia happens when part of the intestines slips into the groin (where the belly meets the upper leg) instead of staying in the belly as it should. Doctors fix inguinal (IN-gwuh-nul) hernias with surgery.

• Umbilical Hernias

  An umbilical hernia shows up as a bump under the belly button. If a hernia doesn't go away by age 4 or 5 or causes problems, doctors may recommend surgery.

• Treating Gastroschisis – Gastroschisis Silo (Video)

  Gastroschisis is when a baby is born with the intestines, and sometimes other organs, sticking out through a hole in the belly wall near the umbilical cord. A gastroschisis silo allow the intestines to slowly move into the belly.

• What’s a Laparoscopic Appendectomy? (Video)

  An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix. Surgeons remove the appendix when it gets blocked and becomes infected. A laparoscopic appendectomy lets surgeons remove the appendix with the help of a tiny video camera called a laparoscope.

• Liver Transplant

  If your child needs a liver transplant, you're probably feeling lots of emotions. Fortunately, most kids who have liver transplants go on to live normal, healthy lives.

• Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube)

  An NG tube goes through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach to deliver formula or medicine.

• Ostomies

  For some digestive system problems, surgeons do a procedure called an ostomy that lets waste leave the body through a small opening in the skin of the belly.

• Intussusception

  Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel blockages in very young children. Quick treatment can help them recover without lasting problems.

• Short Bowel Syndrome

  Short bowel syndrome happens when the small intestine is too short to fully absorb nutrients as it should. Kids with the condition often need to get nutrition through a special IV into a vein.

• Epigastric Hernias

  An epigastric hernia is when part of the intestines pushes through the abdominal muscles between the belly button and the chest. Many are small, cause no symptoms, and don't need treatment.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux

  When symptoms of heartburn or acid indigestion happen a lot, it could be gastroesophageal reflux (GER). And it can be a problem for kids - even newborns.

• Hernias

  Hernias are fairly common in kids, and hernia repair is one of the most common pediatric surgeries.

• Inguinal Hernias

  An inguinal hernia happens when part of the intestines pushes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen. Doctors fix these hernias with surgery.

• Antegrade Continence Enema (ACE)

  An antegrade continence enema, or ACE, is a different way to give an enema. Enemas can help someone poop if they become constipated or have another problem moving their bowels.

• Appendectomy

  Learn the basics of an appendectomy so you know what to expect if your child has this surgery.

• RASopathies

  RASopathies are a group of genetic conditions caused by problems in the RAS pathway, which is one way cells in the body communicate.

• Sanfilippo Syndrome

  Sanfilippo syndrome is a rare condition in which the body can't break down certain carbohydrates (sugars) in the blood, leading to serious problems in the brain and nervous system.

• Newborn Screening Tests

  Newborn screening tests look for health conditions that aren't apparent at birth. Find out which tests are done.

• If Your Baby Has a Birth Defect

  If your child has a birth defect, you don't have to go it alone - many people and resources are available to help you.

• Legius Syndrome

  Legius syndrome is a rare genetic condition. Kids who have it have multiple café-au-lait spots on their skin and might be slower to walk, talk, and reach other milestones than most kids.

• Neurocutaneous Syndromes

  Neurocutaneous syndromes are genetic disorders that lead to tumor growth in various parts of the body. Learn how to maximize the quality of life for children with these diseases.

• Neurofibromatosis Type 1

  Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that causes benign tumors in and under the skin, often with bone, hormone, and other problems. Learn more about how it's diagnosed and treated.