Pediatrics Glossary
A glossary of commonly used terms in pediatrics and parenting, such as NICU, thimerosal, AAP, SIDS, OSA, LATCH, VCUG, etc. so that you can understand what your pediatrician is talking about if he or she commonly uses medical terminology.
JRA
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is arthritis that occurs in children and teens. Like arthritis in adults, common symptoms of JRA can include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and swelling.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is arthritis that occurs in children and teens. Like arthritis in adults, common symptoms of JRA can include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and swelling.
GFCF Diet
The GFCF diet (gluten-free casein-free diet) is advocated by some parents as an alternative treatment for children with autism.
The GFCF diet (gluten-free casein-free diet) is advocated by some parents as an alternative treatment for children with autism.
AAP
The AAP or American Academy of Pediatrics is a professional 'organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.'
The AAP or American Academy of Pediatrics is a professional 'organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.'
Adrenarche
Adrenarche is the onset of androgen dependent signs of puberty in boys or girls, including pubic hair, axillary hair, acne, and adult body odor.
Adrenarche is the onset of androgen dependent signs of puberty in boys or girls, including pubic hair, axillary hair, acne, and adult body odor.
Apgar Score
The Apgar score is a standardized method for evaluating a newborn's health once they are born and was designed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952.
The Apgar score is a standardized method for evaluating a newborn's health once they are born and was designed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952.
BMI
BMI is an abbreviation for body mass index, and is calculated with a child's height and weight using a simple formula, and can be used to determine if a child is overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight.
BMI is an abbreviation for body mass index, and is calculated with a child's height and weight using a simple formula, and can be used to determine if a child is overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight.
BPA and Baby Bottles
The use of BPA has become controversial, as there is a concern that BPA can leach out plastic and into baby formula, juice, food, and other substances inside plastic containers made with BPA.
The use of BPA has become controversial, as there is a concern that BPA can leach out plastic and into baby formula, juice, food, and other substances inside plastic containers made with BPA.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with math.
Dyscalculia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with math.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with writing, including handwriting and spelling.
Dysgraphia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with writing, including handwriting and spelling.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with motor skill development, especially fine motor skills.
Dyspraxia is a type of learning disability in which children have problems with motor skill development, especially fine motor skills.
ECI
ECI or early childhood intervention programs are federally funded state programs that help infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with developmental delays and disability get therapy.
ECI or early childhood intervention programs are federally funded state programs that help infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with developmental delays and disability get therapy.
FAAP
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 'the FAAP designation after a pediatrician's name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians who maintain their FAAP designation have obtained board certification in pediatrics and made an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy for children.'
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 'the FAAP designation after a pediatrician's name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians who maintain their FAAP designation have obtained board certification in pediatrics and made an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy for children.'
Flu Season
Flu season is when you are mostly to get infected with the influenza virus each year.
Flu season is when you are mostly to get infected with the influenza virus each year.
Fundoplication
A fundoplication is a surgical procedure in which the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus. This prevents the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and out of a child's mouth.
A fundoplication is a surgical procedure in which the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus. This prevents the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and out of a child's mouth.
GBS
GBS is an abbreviation for the Group B streptococcus bacteria, which according to the CDC 'is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns.'
GBS is an abbreviation for the Group B streptococcus bacteria, which according to the CDC 'is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns.'
Hemangioma
An hemangioma, commonly called a strawberry or strawberry hemangioma by parents, is a type of vascular birthmark that typically appear in the first few weeks after a baby is born, can grow rapidly during an infant's first year of life, and then typically go away by the time the child is 5 to 8 years old.
An hemangioma, commonly called a strawberry or strawberry hemangioma by parents, is a type of vascular birthmark that typically appear in the first few weeks after a baby is born, can grow rapidly during an infant's first year of life, and then typically go away by the time the child is 5 to 8 years old.
Herd Immunity
Because of herd immunity, vaccines that children get can protect other people who aren't immune from vaccine preventable infections, either because they don't get vaccinated, their vaccine wasn't effective, or because they have become immunocompromised.
Because of herd immunity, vaccines that children get can protect other people who aren't immune from vaccine preventable infections, either because they don't get vaccinated, their vaccine wasn't effective, or because they have become immunocompromised.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a common cause of chronic abdominal pain in children, especially older children and teens.
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a common cause of chronic abdominal pain in children, especially older children and teens.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a specialized diet that is sometimes used as a treatment for young children with epilepsy who continue to have seizures despite taking traditional or standard anticonvulsant medications.
The ketogenic diet is a specialized diet that is sometimes used as a treatment for young children with epilepsy who continue to have seizures despite taking traditional or standard anticonvulsant medications.
LATCH
LATCH refers to the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system, which according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'is designed to make installation of child safety seats easier by requiring child safety seats to be installed without using the vehicle's seat belt system.'
LATCH refers to the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system, which according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'is designed to make installation of child safety seats easier by requiring child safety seats to be installed without using the vehicle's seat belt system.'
MDI
An MDI (metered dose inhaler) is a pressured canister that contains a child's asthma medicine.
An MDI (metered dose inhaler) is a pressured canister that contains a child's asthma medicine.
Menarche
Menarche is the onset of menstruation or the first period in girls during puberty.
Menarche is the onset of menstruation or the first period in girls during puberty.
Mercuritol
Mercuritol is a make-believe or fictional substance that the lawyer in the legal TV drama "Eli Stone" says has caused the title character's son to have autism. It may be confused with thimerosal by some parents.
Mercuritol is a make-believe or fictional substance that the lawyer in the legal TV drama "Eli Stone" says has caused the title character's son to have autism. It may be confused with thimerosal by some parents.
MRSA
MRSA is an abbreviation for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins.
MRSA is an abbreviation for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins.
Nebulizer
A nebulizer, which is more commonly known as a "breathing machine" by parents, includes an air compressor to deliver an aerosolized breathing treatment to your child with asthma.
A nebulizer, which is more commonly known as a "breathing machine" by parents, includes an air compressor to deliver an aerosolized breathing treatment to your child with asthma.
NICU
The NICU is also known as a neonatal intensive care unit and is the area of a hospital where sick babies, especially if they are premature, go once they are born.
The NICU is also known as a neonatal intensive care unit and is the area of a hospital where sick babies, especially if they are premature, go once they are born.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) refers to therapy that helps children perform everyday skills and activities.
Occupational therapy (OT) refers to therapy that helps children perform everyday skills and activities.
OSA
OSA is an acronym for obstructive sleep apnea, which is a common problem in children, and is increasing being recognized as a cause of daytime attentional and behavioral problems.
OSA is an acronym for obstructive sleep apnea, which is a common problem in children, and is increasing being recognized as a cause of daytime attentional and behavioral problems.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) refers to therapy that helps children that have problems with balance, coordination, muscle strength, and gross motor skills.
Physical therapy (PT) refers to therapy that helps children that have problems with balance, coordination, muscle strength, and gross motor skills.
RAD
RAD is an acronym for reactive airway disease. It is term often used to describe younger children, especially infants and toddlers, who have recurrent episodes of coughing and wheezing.
RAD is an acronym for reactive airway disease. It is term often used to describe younger children, especially infants and toddlers, who have recurrent episodes of coughing and wheezing.
RSV
RSV is an acronym for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common cause of colds and bronchiolitis for infants and children.
RSV is an acronym for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common cause of colds and bronchiolitis for infants and children.
SIDS
SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which refers to the unexplained death of a child under one year of age.
SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which refers to the unexplained death of a child under one year of age.
Stomach Flu
The stomach flu is actually not related to the flu, but can be caused by other viruses including rotavirus, which often includes symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps.
The stomach flu is actually not related to the flu, but can be caused by other viruses including rotavirus, which often includes symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps.
T&A
A T&A refers to a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, common pediatric surgical procedures in which a child's enlarged tonsils and adenoids are removed.
A T&A refers to a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, common pediatric surgical procedures in which a child's enlarged tonsils and adenoids are removed.
Thelarche
Thelarche is the onset of breast development in girls during puberty.
Thelarche is the onset of breast development in girls during puberty.
Thimerosal
Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative that was commonly found in vaccines since the 1930s. Although no link to autism or other conditions was ever found, because of concerns that thimerosal could be harmful and because alternatives to thimerosal were now available, according to the FDA, 'thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine.'
Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative that was commonly found in vaccines since the 1930s. Although no link to autism or other conditions was ever found, because of concerns that thimerosal could be harmful and because alternatives to thimerosal were now available, according to the FDA, 'thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine.'
Tucker Sling
The Tucker Sling is a medical device that helps keep babies and infants who have acid reflux positioned in an upright position, minimizing their chances of spitting up.
The Tucker Sling is a medical device that helps keep babies and infants who have acid reflux positioned in an upright position, minimizing their chances of spitting up.
UTI
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) refers to an infection that involves the kidney (pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis) or asymptomatic bacteriuria, when children have bacteria in their urine but no symptoms.
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) refers to an infection that involves the kidney (pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis) or asymptomatic bacteriuria, when children have bacteria in their urine but no symptoms.
VCUG
A VCUG or voiding cystourethrogram, along with a renal sonogram, is a test that is commonly done after a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A VCUG or voiding cystourethrogram, along with a renal sonogram, is a test that is commonly done after a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia, a type of atypical pneumonia, is caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria.
Walking pneumonia, a type of atypical pneumonia, is caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria.