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Parents' Common Sense Encyclopedia

Master Index

Copyright© 1996-2012 Jeffrey W. Hull, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Welcome to the Common Sense Encyclopedia section of my website. The purpose of this project is to give short, easily understood answers to common questions that come up in my everyday pediatric practice - in the office, or on the phone with parents. The definitions and answers are not meant to be definitive, textbook style discussions - it's "news you can use." The style reflects the way I talk to my patients - I try to keep explanations simple, direct and useful. Many of the terms are things you might hear in passing in the hospital or at the doctor's office and just wonder what they mean, or even be a little embarrassed to ask about. I've included a few of my favorite home remedies, too.

But please remember that nothing can replace a good relationship with your personal physician, who really should be willing to answer any question you have in a way that you can understand. Don't try to diagnose your child out of a book or off a web page, and if your child is acutely ill, call your doctor, don't fiddle around on the Internet! Remember the old doctor's proverb: "A patient who treats himself has a fool for a physician."

This is obviously a work in progress, growing over time. Please feel free to send questions, suggestions, or bug reports you have to me and I'll try to include the answers here.

Terms of use: This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgement or individualized patient care by a licensed physician. The author disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, safety, or suitability of this information for any particular purpose. Any use of the information contained on any page of this site is evidence of agreement with these terms of use.

Further programming information about this site.

ABO incompatibility
abrasion, corneal
abscess
abscess, perianal
acanthosis nigricans
acne, baby
acrocyanosis
acropustulosis of infancy
adenoids
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD medications
ADHD, mimics of
adhesions, labial
adrenogenital syndrome
air swallowing
alcohol
Alice-in-Wonderland syndrome
allergen
allergies
allergies, food
alopecia
amblyopia
amniocentesis
anemia
anemia, hemolytic
angioedema
antibiotic
antibody
antibody, monoclonal
antifungal drugs, topical
antigen
antitoxin
anxiety, doctor
aortic stenosis
Apgar score
aplastic anemia
apnea
apnea, sleep
appendicitis
appetite
aphthous stomatitis
arachnodactyly, Marfan syndrome
arrhythmia
arthritis
arthritis, septic
Asperger syndrome
aspirin
asthma
asymmetric crying facies
asymptomatic
atelectasis
atopic dermatitis
atrial fibrillation
atrial septal defect
atrium
atrophy
autism
autoimmune

Babinski_reflex
babesiosis
bacteria
bad breath
Baker cyst
balanitis
Ballard scale
band cells, bands
Barlow test
BCG, tuberculosis vaccination
bedwetting
beestings
Bell's palsy
bezoar
bile
bilirubin
biopsy
bipolar disorder
biting
blocked tear duct
blood cells
blood, in stool, test for
blood tests
blood types
body mass index (BMI)
bonding
bone age
bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation
bone scan
books
bottle feeding
botulism, infant
bradycardia
breastfeeding
breast budding, early
breast enlargement, in newborns
breast milk jaundice
breast milk, unique constituents
breath holding
breathing, periodic, in newborns
bronchiolitis
bronchitis
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, BPD
bruxism, tooth grinding
bumpers, crib

cafe-au-lait spots
caffeine
calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe
calcium
callus
Campylobacter
candidiasis, oral
canker sores (aphthous stomatitis)
caput succedaneum
caries, dental (tooth decay)
car seat essentials
cat scratch disease
cataplexy
CBC, complete blood count
celiac disease
cellulitis
cellulitis, orbital and periorbital
cephalohematoma
cerebral palsy
cerebral palsy
cerumen
chalazion
cheilitis
chickenpox
chickenpox vaccine
chiggers
chilblains
childhood disintegrative disorder, CDD
chlamydia
cholesteotoma
chordee
circumcision
clavicle, fractured
coarctation of aorta
colds
cold sores
cold urticaria
colic
color blindness
colostrum
compliance
concussion
confusional arousals
congenital
conjunctivitis
constipation, infant
corneal abrasion
costochondritis
cough
coxsackievirus
co-sleeping
cradle cap
craniosynostosis
"creeping eruption"
Cri du chat syndrome
Crohn disease
croup
crying, trained night
crying, colicy
cryptorchidism (see testicle, undescended)
cryptosporidium
CT scan, CAT scan
culture
cutaneous larva migrans
cutis marmorata, marbled or mottled skin
cyanosis
cyst
cystic hygroma, lymphangioma
cytomegalovirus, CMV

dacryocystitis
dacryostenosis
"dark circles" under the eyes
decelerations
DEET
dehydration
dermographism
dermoid cyst
diaper rash
diabetes insipidus
diarrhea
diarrhea, toddler
diarrhea, travelers
differential diagnosis
difficult child
diphtheria
directions on the body (medicalese decoder)
doctor, choosing a
doctor, talking with your
Down syndrome
drooling, excessive
drug eruption, fixed
drug resistance
Dubowitz exam
duct tape, for wart treatment
dyschezia, straining with stools
dysfunctional voiding
dyshidrosis

earache
eardrum, ruptured
ear infection, prevention
ears, misshapen
ear wax
ecchymosis
E. coli
E. coli O157:H7
ectodermal dysplasia, hypohidrotic
ectopic
eczema
eczema, dyshidrotic
EEG
electrolytes
encephalitis
encephalopathy
encopresis
endemic, epidemic
endocarditis
endocarditis prevention
enuresis
enzyme
epidermolysis bullosa
epidermoid cyst, epidermal inclusion cyst
epididymitis
epiglottitis
epilepsy
episcleritis
epispadias
epitrochlear node
Epstein pearls
equipment
Erb's palsy
eruption cyst
erysipelas
erythema multiforme
erythema nodosum
erythema toxicum
eustachian tube
Ewing sarcoma
exanthem
exanthem, unilateral laterothoracic
exanthem, viral
exchange transfusion
eye, crossed
eye, excessive blinking
eyes, newborn
eye, white

failure to thrive
fainting
family bed
fears, irrational, in babies
febrile seizure
fecal-oral route of infection
feeding position
feet, excessive sweating
feet, flat
feet, point out
feet, turning in
femoral torsion, femoral anteversion
felon
fencing reflex
fetal alcohol syndrome
fever
fever blister
fever of unknown origin, FUO
fifth disease
fire ants
fissure ,anal
fissured tongue
fistula
fistula, tracheoesophageal
fixed drug eruption
flea bites
flu shots
fluids, daily requirement
fluoride
folate
folliculitis
fomite
fontanelle
food poisoning
food, spicy, and breastfeeding
Fordyce spots
foreign body, ingested
foreign body, nasal
formula
formula, hypoallergenic
formula intolerance
fracture, pathologic
fracture, stress
fracture, toddler
fragile X syndrome
fresh air
functional heart murmur
functional illness

galactosemia
gallop, gallop rythmn
ganglion
gas
gastrocolic reflex
gastroenteritis
gastroesophageal reflux
gastroesophageal sphincter
genetic resources
genetic terms
geographic tongue
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease
gestational age
giardia
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome
gland
Gram stain
granuloma annulare
grasp reflex
growing pains
growth
growth chart
growth plate
growth spurt
grunting
guaiac test
gum, dark blue swelling

habit cough
habit piddling
hair loss
halitosis
hand-foot-mouth disease
handedness
handwashing
harlequin
head banging
head, flat (plagiocephaly)
health foods
heart, terminology
heat rash
hemangioma
hemangioma, cavernous
hemangioma, strawberry
hematocrit
hematoma
hematoma, subungual
hemihypertrophy
hemoglobin
hemolytic anemia
hemolytic-uremic syndrome
hemorrhage, retinal
hemorrhoid
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (anaphylactoid purpura)
hepatitis
herd immunity
hernia, diaphragmatic
hernia, hiatal
hernia, inguinal
hernia, umbilical
herpangina
herpes genitalis
herpes gladiatorum
heterochromia
hiccups
hip click, in newborn
developmental dysplasia of the hip, congenital dislocation of hip
Hirschsprung disease
hitting
hives
HLA typing
hoarseness
honey
hordeolum
hormone
Horner syndrome
hot tub folliculitis
hot tubs
H. pylori
humidifiers, vaporizers
hyaline membrane disease
hydrocephalus
hydrocoele
hydronephrosis
hyperactivity, diet and
hypertrophy
hyperventilation
hyphema
hypocalcemia
hypoglycemia
hypoplasia, hyperplasia
hypospadias
hypothyroidism, congenital

id reaction
idiopathic
idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP
iliotibial band syndrome
immunity, types of
impetigo
incubation period
index case
index of suspicion
infant of diabetic mother, IDM
inflammatory bowel disease
influenza
ingrown toenails
insect repellants
intertrigo
intoeing
intrauterine growth restriction, IUGR
intussusception
iron
iron deficiency
irregular breathing, newborns
isolation periods from daycare/school

jaundice
jaundice, breast milk
jellyfish
juice

karotenemia
Kawasaki disease
keratosis pilaris
kerion
kernicterus
ketogenic diet
ketotic hypoglycemia
Klippel-Feil syndrome
knock knee

labial adhesions
lactose intolerance
language milestones
lanugo
large for gestational age, LGA
larva migrans, cutaneous
larva migrans, visceral
laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
leptomeningeal cyst
lethargic
leukemia
lice, head
lice, library
"lime disease"
lipoma
liver
lumbar puncture
lupus
lyme disease
lymph nodes
lymphadenitis
lymphangioma, cystic hygroma
lymphatic system
lymphocytes, atypical

macrosomia
Marfan syndrome, arachnodactyly
mastoiditis
measles
measurement of medicines
meatal stenosis
Meckel diverticulum
meconium
meconium aspiration syndrome
medication directions
megavitamins
meningitis
meningitis vaccine
metabolic syndrome
metabolite
milestones, language
milia
miliaria
milk intolerance
milk baby
milk, breast
milk, cow
milk, refusal to drink
mineral
molluscum contagiosum
mongolian spot
mononucleosis
Moro reflex
mosquito bites
motion sickness
mouth, injuries to
MRI scan
MRSA
mucocele, mucus retention cyst
mulberry birthmark
multicystic kidney
mumps
Munchausen Syndrome
murmur, heart
mutation
myalgia
mycoplasma
myocarditis
myositis
myths

nail biting
nails
narcolepsy
nares
natal teeth
necrotizing fasciitis
neonate
nephrotic syndrome
neurodermatitis
neurofibromatosis
nevus
nevus, congenital melanocytic
nevus sebaceous
newborns, miscellaneous tips
nightlights
night terrors
nipple confusion
nipples, extra
nocebo effect
nosebleeds
nuchal cord
nursemaid's elbow
nursing bottle caries
nutritional requirements for infants and toddlers
nystagmus

object permanence
odor, underarm
olive
orthopedic terms
orthostatic hypotension
Ortolani test
Osgood-Schlatter disease
osteochondritis dissecans
osteochondroma
osteoid osteoma
osteomyelitis
osteosarcoma
otitis media
overdose, acetaminophen

pacifier
papular acrodermatitis of childhood
papular-purpuric gloves and socks syndrome
papular urticaria
parachute reflex
paraphimosis
parasomnias
paronychia
parotitis
parvovirus B19
patellofemoral syndrome
patent ductus arteriosus, PDA
pathogen
pathognomonic
pectus deformity
penis, care of
penis talk, for toddlers
percentile
pericarditis
periodic breathing
periodic fever syndromes
peritonitis
persistent fetal circulation, persistent pulmonary hypertension
pertussis
pervasive developmental disorder, PDD
pestering
petechiae
pets, exotic
pharyngoconjunctival fever
pheochromocytoma
phimosis
photophobia
phototherapy
phytophotodermatitis, "lime disease"
pica
Pierre Robin syndrome
pigeon toes
pills, learning to swallow
pilomatricoma, pilomatrixoma
"pink eye," epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
pinworms
pityriasis alba
pityriasis rosea
PKU
placebo
plagiocephaly
plantar fasciitis
pneumonia
pneumothorax
pneumothorax, spontaneous
poison centers
poison ivy
Poland syndrome
polycystic ovary syndrome
polycythemia
polymorphous light eruption, PMLE
port wine stain
posthitis
posttraumatic stress disorder
Prader-Willi syndrome
priapism
prickly heat
prodrome
pseudotumor cerebri
psoriasis
ptosis
pulmonary branch stenosis, peripheral pulmonic stenosis
pulmonic stenosis
purpura
pus
pyloric stenosis
pyoderma gangrenosum
pyogenic granuloma

rabies
radiation
rales
rash, diaper
rash, viral
RDS
rectal prolapse
reflux esophagitis
reflexes, primitive
remodelling, of bones
reptiles, as pets
resistance, drug
restless legs syndrome
retinoblastoma
retractions
Rett syndrome
rewards (vs. bribes)
Reye syndrome
RhoGam
Rh factor
Rh factor incompatibility
rhonchi
rickets
ringworm
rocky mountain spotted fever
rooting reflex
roseola
rotavirus
RSV, respiratory syncitial virus
rubella

sacral dimple
Salmonella
scabies
scaly scalp
scarletina
schizophrenia
scoliosis
screening test
sebaceous cyst
sedimentation rate
seizure
seizure, febrile
separation anxiety
sepsis
serous otitis media
serum, serology, serological tests
serum sickness
Sever disease
shingles
SGA, small for gestational age
shaken baby syndrome
Shigella
shin splints
shoes
shoes, orthopedic
sickle cell anemia, sickle cell disease
SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome
sign
silking
simethicone
sinusitis
sleep apnea
sleep fighting
sleepiness, excessive
sleeping position
sleep requirements, average
sleep, restless movements in
sleepwalking
sleep terrors
slipped capital femoral epiphysis
smoking
snakebite
snoring
soaking
soft spot
solar urticaria
solid foods, introduction of
soy formula
spasmus nutans
specimen, stool, how to obtain
specimen, urine, how to obtain
speech, late
spherocytosis
spina bifida
spina bifida occulta
spinal meningitis
spinal tap
spleen
splinters
sports supplements
sprain care
stitches
Stein-Leventhal syndrome
steroids
steroids, topical
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
stinger
stomatitis
stool, green
stool, infant
stork bite
straining with stool
stranger anxiety
strep infections
stress fracture
stridor
stuttering
sty, stye
subconjunctival hemorrhage
subluxation of the radial head (nursemaid's elbow)
subungual hematoma
sucrose
sunburn treatment
sunglasses
sunscreen
surfactant
Sutton's Law
sutures, of skull
swaddling
swimmers ear
swimmers itch
steroids, topical
syncope
symptom
syndactyly, webbed fingers or toes
syndrome
synovitis, toxic

tantrums
tattoos, care of new
tear duct, blocked
tear sac, infection of
teeth, care of
teeth, eruption of
teeth, injuries to
teeth, stained
teething
teeth, present at birth
temperament
temperature
testicle, painful
testicle, absent
testicle, undescended
tethered cord
tetralogy of Fallot
thalassemia
therapeutic challenge
thermometers
thimerosal
thrill
thrush
thumb sucking
tibial torsion
tick paralysis
ticks
tick-borne diseases
tics
tinea capitis
tinea corporis
tinea versicolor
toddler
toddler fracture
toes
toenails, ingrown
toe-walking
toilet training
tongue, black hairy
tongue-tie
tonic neck reflex
tonsils
tooth decay
tooth grinding
torsion of the testis, testicular torsion
torticollis
Tourette syndrome
toxic shock syndrome
toxin
toxocariasis, visceral larva migrans
tracheomalacia, laryngomalacia
trained night crying
trampolines
transfusion, exchange
transient tachypnea, TTN, RDS type II
transition object
transitional stools
tuberculosis
tuberculosis vaccination, BCG
tubes
tympanocentesis

ulcerative colitis
umbilical artery, single
umbilical cord, care of
umbilical granuloma
umbilical hernia
umbilical stump, persistent oozing
unicameral bone cyst
upper respiratory infection, URI
urination, frequent
urticaria
upper respiratory infection, URI
urinary tract infection, UTI
uvula
uveitis

VICP, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
vaginal synechiae
vaginal voiding
vaginitis
valsalva manuever
vaporizers
varicocele
vasculitis
vector
venous hum
ventricle
ventricular septal defect, VSD
vernix
vesicle
vesicoureteral reflux, VUR
videos, infant
vinegar
virus
vision
vitamin
vitiligo
voiding, dysfunctional
vomiting

Waardenburg syndrome
walkers, baby
warts
weaning
webbed fingers or toes, syndactyly
West Nile virus
herpetic whitlow
wheezing
Wilms tumor
witches' milk
wound care
"wry neck"

xiphoid
X-linked inheritance
xylitol

zebra
zinc
zoster

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