Infants grow rapidly from the day they are born, but if you compare your child to other babies, you probably will notice a significant difference in size. Children come in all shapes and sizes and grow at different rates. To determine that your...
Patients with meningitis have an infection of the meninges, a tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can result from a virus or bacterium. One type of meningitis, pneumococcal meningitis, is a bacterial meningitis caused by...
Viral meningitis develops from a virus that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and brain membranes. Viral meningitis is spread through indirect or direct contact with an infected person. However, viral meningitis is less severe than bacterial...
Autism is a neurobiological disorder characterized by impairments in reciprocal social skills, as well as verbal and nonverbal language. Odd, repetitive behavior is also one of the defining symptoms of this disorder, says the Diagnostic and...
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord caused by a virus or bacteria. Viruses that cause meningitis are spread through direct or indirect contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Viral...
Weight gain is one of many indicators of good health in a newborn baby. Slow weight gain can be a sign of an underlying problem, according to Children's Hospital Boston, but sometimes a perfectly healthy baby has a natural growth pattern that is...
Babies grow at predictable rates, and pediatricians measure an infant's growth in weight, height and head circumference at each doctor's visit to get an idea of whether the child is thriving. Newborns will usually lose up to 10 percent of their...
Childhood brain tumors are any parent's worst fear. According to the 2004 to 2005 Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States report, 3,400 new cases are diagnosed each year. The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation reports that one in 30,000 to...
A subdural hematoma is the result of bleeding between the brain's surface and its outermost covering, classified as acute, subacute or chronic and is usually the result of a serious blow to the head. However, it can occur with a minor head...
Your baby doesn't need a regular exercise period to get the physical activity he needs. Some newborns can get all the exercise they need to strengthen their developing muscles right in the crib. If you've ever put your newborn to sleep in one...
Many parents worry about their infant's weight. It is common for babies to lose weight immediately after birth; within two weeks of birth a healthy baby will begin to gain weight, grow and develop at her optimal rate. Tools to evaluate your...
Appropriate infant weight gain in the first month of life is important for health and proper development. A common fear of parents, especially nursing moms, is that their baby is not getting enough to eat. Knowing how much weight an infant is...
When placental insufficiency can be linked to certain risk factors, such as substance abuse or untreated health conditions, these causes need to be addressed to prevent further deterioration. If you smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs, you will...
Nearly every pregnant woman in the United States receives a recommendation to start taking one at their first prenatal visit: prenatal vitamins, available both over the counter and by prescription, supply essential nutrients during pregnancy....
Childhood obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control, tripled from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008 in children aged six to 11 years, with a similar increase in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Programs such as the National...
After her birth, a baby develops so quickly that she may seem different from one day to the next. As she picks up new skills regarding language and movement, a baby also gains weight and continues to grow physically. During her first few months,...
Autism is a severe neurological disorder with significant psychological components that is first diagnosed in childhood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, autism is a specific type of pervasive developmental...
