A Terms

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Abstinence
The practice of not indulging an appetite, such as for food, alcohol, or sex. Your doctor may recommend abstinence from sex for several weeks ... Read More
A & B Spells (Apnea and Bradycardia spells)
A & B spells (apnea and bradycardia spells) are episodes when the baby stops breathing for at least 15 seconds and the baby’s heart rate slows ... Read More
Abortion
Termination of the pregnancy before the fetus is able to survive outside the womb. In the U.S. this age is arbitrarily taken to be 20 weeks ... Read More
Accreditation
Being accredited by someone or something. In the US this usually refers to Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations ... Read More
Accu-Check or Chemstrip
Accu-Check Or Chemstrip-- A medical product designed for rapid blood glucose measurement. Premature babies, especially those who are ill ... Read More
Accutane®
Also known as isotretinoin, Accutane® is a retinoid medication used to treat acne that has not responded to ANY OTHER forms of treatment. It is ... Read More
ACE Inhibitors
An ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor is a drug that lowers blood pressure. It prevents the formation of angiotensin II, ... Read More
Acellular
Generally, this is a word that means without cells. In the context of early childhood it usually has reference to acellular pertussis ... Read More
Acetaminophen
This is one of the most commonly used medications to reduce fever in children. It does not cause upset stomach that aspirin and ibuprofen have ... Read More
Acne
A skin condition characterized by open (comedones or blackheads) and closed (whiteheads) lesions of the pores. There are three forms of acne ... Read More
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
A usually fatal, progressive disease in which the immune system is severely damaged following infection with the human immunodeficiency ... Read More
Acrosome
Located on the head of the sperm, contains the enzymes necessary to allow a sperm to penetrate an egg.
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
This is a behavioral disorder affecting up to 5% of American children. There are hyperactive and non-hyperactive subtypes, though both are ... Read More
Adhesion
The abnormal joining of adjacent tissues following infection or other inflammation. This is often used to refer to fallopian tubes that can ... Read More
After-birth
The placenta and associated membranes passed from the uterus after birth of the child. The placenta usually follows shortly after the baby. ... Read More
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