What Is Chickenpox?


Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood illnesses. Before the vaccine was approved in March, 1995, there were 4 million cases of it appearing in the United States every year. In fact, 95 percent of adults in America today had chickenpox before the age of 18. It occurs most often in the late winter/early spring and in children between the ages of 6 and 10.


Chickenpox is caused by Varicella zoster virus and is highly contagious. About 90 percent of people who never had chickenpox (or the vaccine) will catch it if a family member has it. A person with chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before the rash starts until about five days after the rash appears. It can be spread by direct contact (through lesions or sores) or through the air. Children with chickenpox have to stay home from childcare or school until they are no longer contagious.


A child who catches chickenpox may not show symptoms for 10 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus. At that point, the characteristic symptom usually appears -- an itchy rash, which usually develops first on a child's scalp and body, and then spreads to his face, arms, and legs over the next three to four days. In total, a child with chickenpox will have 250 to 500 itchy blisters that dry up into scabs two to four days later.

While the rash is the most well-known symptom of chickenpox, it's not the only one. Here are some other symptoms that often accompany chickenpox:

A mild fever for one or two days before the rash appears

General malaise
Coughing
Fussiness
Lack of appetite

Once someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays in her body permanently. This is usually a form of immunity -- she will probably never suffer from chickenpox again. But in about 10 to 20 percent of the population, the virus will reappear later in life (usually over the age of 50) and cause shingles. Shingles typically causes numbness and itching or severe pain in various areas of the skin. Within three to four days, clusters of blister-like sores develop and last for two to three weeks.

Hearing loss is surprisingly common in babies -- but a shocking number of children aren't diagnosed or treated until much too late.


The Most Common Birth Defect


Beth Trama, of Smithtown, New York, was watching her son, Luca, sleep peacefully in the hospital nursery, when the newborn next to him let out a loud, high-pitched scream. Luca didn't wake up. Trama couldn't believe that the noise didn't startle him, but she assumed he'd just gotten used to being with all those crying babies -- until he failed his hearing screening the next day.


You're probably surprised to find out that hearing loss is the most common birth defect. Every day, about 33 babies are born in the U.S. with a hearing impairment. But the news hasn't gotten through to parents -- in fact, only 1 percent of new and expectant moms ranked hearing loss as their top concern about their child's health, according to a survey by the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in Washington, D.C.


A Recessive Gene


Many parents figure their baby isn't at risk if they don't have a history of deafness in their family. However, about 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Deafness can be caused by a dominant gene -- meaning one or both parents are deaf -- or by a recessive gene, so a child can inherit the trait even if no family members are hearing-impaired. That's what happened to Luca. After his diagnosis, doctors discovered that both of his parents had a recessive gene for a genetic disorder that damages the hair cells in the inner ear so they can't carry sound to the auditory nerve. As a result, Luca is severely deaf in both ears.
Hearing loss can also be caused by many nonhereditary factors, including infections, prematurity, severe jaundice, or a lack of oxygen during delivery, says Ellen M. Friedman, MD, chief of pediatric otolaryngology at Texas Children's Hospital, in Houston. Unfortunately, most of these causes aren't preventable.

PAEDIATRIC DISORDERS

Children are the gift of god to parents. They need care, affection and sympathy. It is the duty of parents to take care of every problem of their child. When the children are diseased, it is a difficult situation for the parents. The paediatric branch of medical science deals in child health. Though the diseases are the same, the treatment, management and dosage differ. There are several diseases which occur in childhood only. So we go to paediatricians for the treatment of our children because up to the age of twelve, it is the paediatrician who looks after the ailments of our child. Hence the little of this site Paediatric Disorders.

This site will give you all the information about the paediatric disorders which makes the parents suffer, and good remedies for treating those paediatric disorders.children are the gift of god and its our obligation to protect them from the paediatric disorders.


INFANT HEIGHT

BABY WEIGHT

INFANT DENTAL DEVELOPMENT

INFANT DENTAL COMPLICATIONS

INFANT WEEPING

INFANT NASAL BLOCKAGE

SIDS Q&A


The memory of losing her infant son, Colton, is still unbearable to Kristen Marr nearly seven years later. "He was 2 months old and in perfect health when I put him down on his back for a nap," she recalls. But when she tiptoed into the nursery of her home in Crofton, Maryland, to check on him, Colton had stopped breathing. Marr dialed 911 and tried to perform CPR on her infant. But it was too late. Doctors later concluded that Colton was a victim of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While its incidence has dropped by half since the launch of the Back to Sleep campaign in 1994, SIDS is still linked to about 2,500 baby deaths every year. And even taking the right precautions (as Marr did) doesn't guarantee that your child will be protected. But here's some reassuring news: Recent research is revealing more ways than ever to reduce your child's risk. Are you doing everything you can to fend off SIDS? Here are answers to your top questions.



Q: What causes infants to stop breathing while they sleep?



A: Experts believe SIDS victims have an immature arousal center in the brain. Put simply, they can't wake themselves up when they're having trouble breathing. Infants who sleep on their stomach are particularly vulnerable to SIDS. One theory is that this position increases the likelihood that they will re-inhale oxygen-depleted air. "The peak danger is between 2 and 4 months," says Marian Willinger, Ph.D., special assistant for SIDS at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in Bethesda, Maryland. However, you should continue to safeguard your child until he turns 1.



Q: Who's most at risk?



A: Three out of five SIDS victims are boys. African-American and Native American infants are two to three times more prone to the syndrome. Other groups at increased risk include preemies, low-birthweight babies, and infants who are exposed to cigarette smoke.



Q: Is putting my baby down on her back really that important?



A: It's vital. Back-sleeping increases a baby's access to fresh air and makes her less likely to get overheated (another factor linked to SIDS). But not all new mothers are getting the message: Eighteen percent of Parents readers say they usually put their infants to sleep on their stomach, and another 13 percent do so some of the time. "Some exhausted new parents may do it out of desperation, because infants tend to sleep better and more deeply on their stomach," says Parents advisor Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., author of Sleeping Through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep. "But having your baby sleep on her tummy is a no-no."



Q: I put my child to sleep on his back at night, but can I let this rule slide for a short nap?



A: It's not worth the risk. Babies who normally sleep on their back are 18 times more likely to die of SIDS when placed down on their tummy for a snooze. "Infants seem to have difficulty adjusting to the change," says Rachel Moon, M.D., a SIDS researcher at the Children's National Medical Center, in Washington, D.C.



Q: Is side-sleeping safe?



A: No. Studies show that putting a baby down on her side rather than on her back doubles the SIDS risk. "It's easier for an infant to roll onto her tummy from her side than from her back," says John Kattwinkel, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on SIDS. "And she may not yet have the skills to roll back in the other direction."



Q: My baby has a flat spot on his head from sleeping on his back. Will it go away?



A: That depends. Flattened-head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly, occurs when the back of an infant's pliable skull is reshaped from constantly lying in the same position. By some estimates, the incidence has jumped sixfold during the past decade. Yet back-sleeping isn't entirely to blame. "This condition is preventable," says John Persing, M.D., a craniofacial specialist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, in Connecticut. "Most babies with this problem spend way too much time on their back when they're awake." To correct (or prevent) a flat spot, give your baby several supervised "tummy time" sessions every day. You can also position your baby's head when you put him down to sleep -- one night to the left, the next night to the right -- to help balance the shape of his head. And don't let your child spend too much time in car seats, bouncy seats, or infant swings. If the flattening doesn't show significant improvement by the time he's 6 months old, consult a pediatric craniofacial specialist.



Q: I'm worried about my baby getting cold. Is it safe to cover her with a blanket?




A: Wait until her first birthday. Blankets, pillows, comforters, and stuffed toys can hinder your child's breathing; even soft or improperly fitting mattresses can be dangerous. If you're worried that your little one may get chilly, swaddle her in a receiving blanket or use a sleep sack. According to a Belgian study, swaddling helps fussy infants sleep better on their back and may protect them from SIDS by causing them to startle more easily. But make sure you don't overheat your baby. "A nursery that's too warm substantially increases an infant's SIDS risk," says Warren Guntheroth, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, in Seattle. Set the thermostat at 68 degrees, don't put the crib near a radiator, and dress your child in light layers that you can remove easily if she gets hot.



Q: Is it dangerous to give my baby a pacifier?



A: Not at all. Binkies actually reduce the risk of SIDS, possibly by preventing babies from falling into an extremely deep sleep. The AAP now recommends that you consider giving your child a pacifier at night and for naps during his first year. Note: If you're breastfeeding, don't introduce a Binky until your infant is 1 month old and nursing well.



Q: My baby has started to flip onto her stomach during the night. How can I stop this?



A: You can't -- but don't worry. "Once a baby can roll over by herself, her brain is mature enough to alert her to breathing dangers," says Dr. Moon. "And by the time she's 6 months old, her improved motor skills will help her to rescue herself, so the SIDS risk is greatly reduced."



Q: My baby sleeps better in my bed. What's the big danger of co sleeping?



A: Actually, there are lots of them. Your infant could be suffocated by a pillow or a loose blanket. His air supply may be cut off if you or your spouse inadvertently rolls over onto him. And he could be strangled if his head gets trapped between the headboard and mattress.
Despite numerous studies that confirm the heightened SIDS risk caused by co sleeping, many moms continue to do it. According to a parents.com poll, 52 percent of readers do it all or some of the time, citing the added convenience for nighttime feedings and the security of having their infants next to them.



If you decide to co sleep, don't put your baby right in the bed. Instead, get a co sleeping crib that clamps onto the frame of your bed. Or you might simply try moving your baby's crib into your room. Several studies show this sleeping arrangement reduces the SIDS risk (presumably because you're more likely to hear your baby if he's in distress).

Why baby puts things in his mouth -- and how to keep them out!

Babies putting things in their mouths, otherwise known as mouthing, is not only normal, but also signals a growing interest in the world around them. In the first year, children explore their surroundings through their senses -- seeing, touching, hearing, smelling, and tasting. The more they explore, the more they learn.


While your baby is learning to master his hand movements -- reaching, grabbing, and swatting -- he's not yet so adept at using his fingers. So when a baby grasps what he desires and wants to investigate further ("Is it soft or hard? Can I eat it? Does it make a sound?"), this often means putting it in his mouth. Mouthing helps babies learn all about different shapes and textures. They also learn what feels good and tastes good, and what doesn't -- so your child will only mouth a wool blanket once.


Could he choke?


Although mouthing is a positive experience for your child, you want to ensure his safety. To reduce the risk of choking, pediatricians recommend that children be allowed to play only with objects that are too big to fit all the way into their mouth. One easy way to check this is to make sure a toy or object can't fit through the opening of a toilet-paper tube. If it does, your child can choke on it, and the item is not safe. Also, be sure that an object is smooth enough not to scratch your child and doesn't have pieces that can break off. Take a few moments to do an inspection of your home at your child's eye level to identify any unsafe objects he may be tempted to put in his mouth.



What about all the germs?


Rest assured that when your baby picks up and licks the ball that rolled across the floor, there is little chance it will make him sick (though we wouldn't recommend doing that). Kids get sick from viruses and bacteria, not dust. So make sure he is not sharing toys with a child who is sick and can pass on germs. (Washing hands and toys frequently is also key.) That said, group play is very hands-on at this age. Children tend to bump into one another, touch one another's faces, and give kisses. So while it's smart to be cautious, parents simply can't protect their children from everything -- germs included.


All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

It's hard to keep your cool when your kid is burning up. We asked doctors what you should (and shouldn't) do the next time it happens.

Before You... Panic

Remember: A fever is not an illness. It's usually just a sign that your child's immune system is fighting off a bacterial or viral infection, says Michael Devon, MD, a pediatrician in private practice near Philadelphia. Most of the bugs that cause a fever -- such as a cold, the flu, a stomach virus -- aren't dangerous and are treatable at home.
Check your child's other symptoms. How she acts and feels is usually a better indicator of how sick she is. (In fact, if your child has a high fever that doesn't mean she's sicker than if she has a low-grade one.) "If your child is lethargic, irritable, has a sore throat, ear or stomach pain, or pain when she urinates, call your doctor," says Dr. Devon. (Can't find any obvious source of infection? That also warrants a call.) And always get help immediately if you have a feverish baby under 3 months old, no matter what her symptoms are. Infants that young are more susceptible to certain types of infections, so your pediatrician needs to rule out serious illnesses right away.


Before You... Take Your Child's Temp


Ditch your glass thermometer. Those old-school thermometers contain mercury, a potent toxin that affects the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys, and can cause learning disabilities. If it breaks, you risk exposing your family to mercury's harmful vapors. Still have one lurking in your medicine cabinet? Don't just toss it into the trash. Take it to your pediatrician (she can dispose of it safely), or drop it off at your local hazardous-waste collection site.

Pick the right method. For babies, you'll get the most precise reading using a digital rectal thermometer; you can switch to an oral one when your child turns 3. An ear thermometer, although it's fast and convenient, can actually be deceptively tricky to use: You have to place it correctly in the ear canal for an accurate result. (Too much earwax can throw off the reading as well.) Underarm and pacifier varieties are also less reliable than the gold-standard rectal and oral thermometers.

Perfect your technique. To take a rectal temp, first dab petroleum jelly on the bulb of the thermometer. Place your baby belly-down on your lap or on a bed or changing table, then gently insert the bulb 1/2 to 1 inch into your child's rectum. Loosely hold the thermometer in place with two fingers until it beeps. To get an accurate reading using an oral thermometer, wait at least 15 minutes after your child has had anything hot or cold to eat or drink before you take his temperature.


Before You... Give Fever-Reducing Meds


Realize that they're not cures. The main reason to give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen is to make her more comfortable -- not to "break" the fever. Fever is actually a good thing, since it helps the body fight infection. Most illness-causing germs thrive at a person's core body temperature (98.6 F.), so when the immune system detects an infection, it responds by cranking up the body's thermostat to help kill the germs. Just don't expect an immediate recovery. "At most, the meds will bring a fever down a degree or two -- just enough to make your child feel better," says Ari Brown, MD, a Parents advisor and author of Baby 411.
Choose the right fever-reliever. Give acetaminophen to babies under 6 months; ibuprofen isn't approved for kids that young because its safety hasn't been established. For older kids, ibuprofen seems to bring fever down faster, according to a research review in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. But since acetaminophen is less likely to cause stomach upset, it may be a better bet for kids with a sensitive tummy.


Once you've chosen a medication, stick with it. Though a recent Archives study found that alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen is more effective than using just one, some experts warn that mixing meds can be confusing and increase the risk that you'll overmedicate your child.


Read all medication labels carefully. If you're giving your child over-the-counter cold medicine, make sure that it doesn't contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen if she's already taking medication for fever. Otherwise, you could end up giving your child a double dose, says Dr. Devon. And you should never "eyeball" the dose; follow the instructions on the bottle. "Choose the amount that matches your child's current weight, and use the dropper that came in the package," says Dr. Brown. Because fever medications are sold in different strengths, the dropper for one bottle might not be right for another.

What If My Child Has a Seizure?


About 4 percent of children under age 5 have fever-induced seizures (febrile seizures), which are often caused by a sudden spike in body temperature. They seem scary -- your child may lose consciousness, shake, or stiffen -- but they're usually harmless. Most febrile seizures end in a minute or two, though some last just a few seconds or for more than 10 minutes.
If your feverish child starts convulsing, place her on a soft surface and roll her onto her side so she won't choke. Never put anything in her mouth or try to hold her down. When the seizure ends, call your pediatrician -- if this is the first time it's happened, she needs to be evaluated right away. "Once your child has been diagnosed with febrile seizures, you can relax a bit if it happens again -- as long as you know why she has a fever," says Dr. Brown.


What's Hot, What's Not


Your child officially has a fever when the thermometer reads 100.4 F. and above, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. When it warrants a call to your doctor, however, varies by age:
Age
When to Call
Under 2 months
100.4° F
3 to 6 months
101° F
Over 6 months
103° F

Make a healthy meal plan for your child.


These are general feeding recommendations meant to assist parents in planning healthy meals.

Birth to 4 months:

5-10 feedings of breast milk or 16-32 oz. of infant formula

4 to 6 months:

4-7 feedings of breast milk or 26-40 oz. of infant formula

Infant cereal (rice, oatmeal, or barley) and infant juice can be introduced.

6 to 8 months:

3-4 feedings of breast milk or 24-32 oz. of infant formula

Strained mashed food, including cooked vegetables (avoid corn and peas), such as carrots and green beans, and fresh or cooked fruit

Infant juices in a cup

8 to 10 months:

3-4 feedings of breast milk or 16-24 oz. of infant formula

Cereal and bread-type foods (2-3 servings daily): infant cereal, Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, toast, bagels, crackers

100 percent juice (4 oz. daily): orange, tomato, pineapple, or infant juices

Cooked or mashed vegetables (1-2 servings daily)

Ripe fruit (fresh or cooked) (1-2 servings daily)

Meat, chicken, fish, egg yolk, plain yogurt, beans, cottage cheese (1-2 tbsp. daily)

10 to 12 months:

3-4 feedings of breast milk or 16-24 oz. of infant formula

Cereal, breads, all varieties of unsweetened cereal, rice, noodles, crackers, spaghetti (2-4 servings daily)

Vitamin C-rich juice (4 oz. daily): orange, grapefruit, pineapple

Cooked or raw vegetables (1-2 servings daily)

Fresh or cooked fruit (1-2 servings daily): ripe peaches, pears, and oranges are good choices

Protein-rich food (1-2 tbsp. twice a day): lamb, beef, pork, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, yogurt, beans, tofu, peanut butter

12 to 24 months:

Cow's milk and cow's milk products can replace some or all of the formula or breast milk feedings after 1 year of age

2-3 feedings of breast milk or 16-24 oz. of formula or 2-4 servings of milk or other calcium-rich food: yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, green leafy vegetables.

Cereal, bread, rice, pasta, noodles (4 or more servings about 1/3 of an adult-size portion)

Vitamin C-rich juice (4 oz. daily)

Vegetables, raw or cooked (2 or more servings)

Fruit (2 or more servings) -- offer at least one citrus fruit daily

Meat, fish, or poultry, eggs, nut butters; beans; tofu (2 servings daily, each portion at least 1/2 ounce)

Introduction


"It's a boy!"
When we first glimpse our children in the delivery room, their sex is one of the immediate things we notice. It's also one of the first things we report to family and friends. In the last generation, many of us have seen evidence of our children's sex on ultrasound even before they were born, but still at the birth, we look to see.
How disconcerting to parents when a boy's penis seems to disappear, either at birth or shortly thereafter. The good news is that the outlook is bright.


What is it?


When a penis appears absent or too small, we call the condition inconspicuous penis. I've seen this in a great many boys. Several very different situations are lumped into this category. I will describe webbed penis, concealed penis, trapped penis, micropenis, and absent penis



Who gets it?


Boys can be born with a webbed penis, or the condition can result from an overexuberant circumcision where adhesions form between the scrotal skin and the penile skin. Webbed penis usually causes no problems (unless a routine circumcision is later performed).
Some children are born with a concealed penis (also known as buried penis or hidden penis), and for some it happens after circumcision. It is common in infants and toddlers, and occasionally seen in older children and obese adolescents.

Children are not born with trapped penis; circumcision causes it. Routine circumcision of a webbed penis or circumcision when there is significant scrotal swelling (from a hydrocele or hernia) can lead to trapped penis.

Micropenis is a hormonal problem that takes place sometime after 14 weeks' gestation when the penis has already formed.
Absent penis, or penile agenesis, is very rare, occurring in fewer than one in 20 million boys.


What are the symptoms?



A webbed penis is a normal-size penis where the skin of the scrotal sac extends partway up the shaft of the penis.
A concealed penis is a normal-size penis that lies hidden in the pubic fat pad. This condition is also called buried penis or hidden penis. Often the penis can be easily exposed by gently pulling on it or by pressing down on the surrounding fat pad.

A trapped penis is a normal-size penis that is partially stuck in the pubic fat pad. Scarring or adhesions trap the recessed penis in the fat pad. This condition can predispose children to urinary tract infections or urinary retention. Surgery is usually wise.

All of the above conditions have a penis of normal size. In determining size, the stretched penile length is far more important than the relaxed length. To evaluate penis size, stretch the penis gently and measure from the bone at the base all the way to the tip. Be sure to depress the surrounding fat pad to get all the way to the base. Here are the normal values:

Average Stretched Penile Length
(Adapted from Feldman KW, Smith DW. Journal of Pediatrics. 1975; 86:395)


:Age

Mean +/- 1 SD (inches)
Mean - 2.5 SD (inches)


0-5 months
1.5 +/- 0.3
0.75


6-12 months
1.7 +/- 0.3
0.9


1-2 years
1.9 +/- 0.3
1.0


2-3 years
2.0 +/- 0.4
1.1


3-4 years
2.2 +/- 0.4
1.3


4-5 years
2.2 +/- 0.4
1.4


5-8 years
2.4 +/- 0.4
1.5


8-11 years
2.5 +/- 0.4
1.5

Adult
5.2 +/- 0.6
3.7

Micropenis is a penis that is more than 2.5 standard deviations below the average size for age. In a newborn, a stretched penile length less than 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) is considered a micropenis.
In absent penis, or penile agenesis, the scrotum and testicles usually form normally, but the penis doesn't form at all.


How long does it last?


Without treatment, a webbed penis is unlikely to get better as the child grows.
If the concealed penis can be easily exposed by gently pulling on it or by pressing down on the surrounding fat pad, the situation will usually correct itself over time.
In a trapped penis, scarring or adhesions trap the recessed penis in the fat pad. This condition can predispose children to urinary tract infections or urinary retention.
In micropenis, if the penis grows when a three-month trial of testosterone is given, the outlook is good for normal adult penis size and function.
Absent penis is a permanent condition, although treatment can greatly improve the situation


How is it diagnosed?



When a boy has an inconspicuous penis, the parents' concerns are quite understandable. The penis should be promptly examined and measured, and the parents should be clearly told whether it is normally formed and of normal size. Whenever any question remains, a pediatric urologist is the best person to evaluate the penis and recommend a plan. Consulting a urologist is all the more appropriate when new concerns arise as the boy grows.


How is it treated?


Sometimes surgery is needed for inconspicuous penis, sometimes medical treatments, and often nothing at all.

A webbed penis sometimes requires surgery. Results with surgery, however, are excellent.
Sometimes surgery is needed for concealed penis. Either way, social, urinary and erection results are excellent.

Surgery is usually wise for a trapped penis.

In micropenis, hormone levels need to be checked. A boy's chromosomes should also be checked to see if there is an underlying genetic syndrome. An MRI may be needed to look at the hormone-secreting glands. A trial of testosterone treatment may solve the problem.

If micropenis does not respond to testosterone stimulation, the difficult question of reassigning gender arises. This decision has been made even more difficult by the conflicting and changing recommendations of experts in the field.

At one time, gender reassignment was the routine choice, even though it involves castration, surgical reconstruction, estrogen supplements, and huge emotional issues for the child and family. Many people base their opinions on the case of a baby boy whose penis was accidentally amputated during circumcision. When he was 22 months old, he was castrated and reassigned a female sex. He had surgery to make his genitals appear female. He was raised as a girl. At puberty, he was given estrogens to promote breast growth. Reports said that he had a very good adjustment to the female sex, but it later became clear that from an early age he had rejected the idea that he was a girl. During his teen years, he insisted on switching back to living as a man. He later married as a man.

Recent long-term studies of micropenis have found that even if the penis remains small, most boys raised as boys end up as sexually active, heterosexual males who stand to urinate, have a strong male identity, normal erectile function, and who enjoy sex. Their partners also report sexual satisfaction. Unfortunately, teasing by peers can be a real problem. A penile prosthesis may help.
Adults who have themselves had intersex issues argue strongly against reassignment before the child is old enough to choose. Their opinion should be listened to carefully.

Treating absent penis presents many challenges. A team including a geneticist, endocrinologist, urologist, pediatrician, and mental health experts should be involved.


How can it be prevented?


Often inconspicuous penis cannot be prevented. Avoiding inappropriate circumcisions can reduce the risk of an inconspicuous penis.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaken baby syndrome is a type of inflicted traumatic brain injury that happens when a baby is violently shaken. A baby has weak neck muscles and a large, heavy head. Shaking makes the fragile brain bounce back and forth inside the skull and causes bruising, swelling, and bleeding, which can lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death. The characteristic injuries of shaken baby syndrome are subdural hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain), retinal hemorrhages (bleeding in the retina), damage to the spinal cord and neck, and fractures of the ribs and bones. These injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome include extreme irritability, lethargy, poor feeding, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, and pale or bluish skin. Shaken baby injuries usually occur in children younger than 2 years old, but may be seen in children up to the age of 5.


Is there any treatment?


Emergency treatment for a baby who has been shaken usually includes life-sustaining measures such as respiratory support and surgery to stop internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. Doctors may use brain scans, such as MRI and CT, to make a more definite diagnosis.


What is the prognosis?


In comparison with accidental traumatic brain injury in infants, shaken baby injuries have a much worse prognosis. Damage to the retina of the eye can cause blindness. The majority of infants who survive severe shaking will have some form of neurological or mental disability, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation, which may not be fully apparent before 6 years of age. Children with shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care.


What research is being done?


The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conduct research related to shaken baby syndrome in laboratories at the NIH and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on finding better ways to treat and heal medical conditions such as shaken baby syndrome.