Health Library

Articles In This Section

• 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.

• Minimally Invasive Surgery

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

• Surgery for Tear Duct Blockage

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. Sometimes surgery is done to treat them.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Tonsillectomy

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

• 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).

• 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.

• Cochlear Implants

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Myocarditis

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Intussusception

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

• 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.

• Hernias

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DiGeorge Syndrome)

  22q11.2 deletion syndrome (also called DiGeorge Syndrome) is a genetic condition that can cause a variety of physical and behavioral problems.

• Stem Cell Transplants

  Stem cells help rebuild a weakened immune system. Stem cell transplants are effective treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.