G-Tube
A gastrostomy tube (feeding tube) is inserted into the stomach if the patient is unable to take food by mouth. It is also known as gastrostomy tube.
Galactosemia
An inherited recessive disorder in which the baby is unable to metabolize galactose, a milk sugar and is tested for by newborn screening. It occurs in about one baby in every 60,000 to 80,000. Without treatment (avoidance of milk), galactosemia can be life-threatening. Symptoms may begin in the first two weeks of life. Dietary treatment is available for this disorder.
Gallbladder
Stores bile made by the liver. Sends bile into the small intestine to help digest fats.
Gamma Camera
A device used in nuclear medicine to scan patients who have been injected with small amounts of radioactive materials.
Gas
Air that collects in the stomach and intestines as a natural result of digesting food. Passed out of the body via the rectum or the mouth.
Gastrectomy
Complete or partial removal of the stomach.
Gastric
Related to the stomach.
Gastric Ulcer
When the peptic ulcer is located in the stomach.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
Gastroenteritis
Irritation or infection of the stomach and intestines. May be caused by bacteria or parasites, irritating food, stress or emotional upset.
Gastroenterologist
A physician whose specialty is digestive diseases.
Gastroenterology
Medical specialty that deals with the digestive system.
Gastroenterology Program
The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Gastroenterology Program provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for pediatric patients throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)
Stomach contents flow backward into the esophagus or food pipe. GER can trigger apnea (a pause in breathing) and/or bradycardia (slowed heart rate).
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Movement of food, fluids, and digestive juices from the stomach back up into the esophagus; causes irritation of the esophagus with acid, resulting in discomfort. GERD occurs when the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, opens when it should stay closed, or is weak.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
A digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus.
Gastrointestinal (GI)
Relating to the digestive tract.
Gastrointestinal Tract
The parts of the body that break down food into small particles, allowing nutrients from food to be used for energy and growth: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine.
Gastroparesis
Muscle or nerve damage in the stomach, which causes slow digestion and stomach emptying.
Gastroschesis
A birth defect in which the internal organs of the abdomen push outside the body through an opening (usually just right of the belly button) in the wall of the abdomen. It is also known as abdominal wall defect.
Gastroschisis, prenatal diagnosis of
Through the use of prenatal ultrasound (examining the fetus using ultrasound imaging before birth) the diagnosis of some birth defects can be detected. With this knowledge, families can seek out information which will allow them to participate more fully in decision making and planning care for their infant. It provides them opportunity to plan for delivery at an institution that is able to care for both mother and baby which avoids the trauma of transport and separation. Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which the internal organs of the abdomen push outside the body through an opening (usually just right of the belly button) in the wall of the abdomen. Sometimes referred to as an abdominal wall defect.
Gastroscopy
Examining the lining of the stomach with a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).
Gastrostomy
A surgically created opening in the stomach and the abdominal muscles. A tube is passed through these openings, into the stomach, to allow for feeding of a person who cannot eat normally.
Gastrostomy Tube
A gastrostomy tube (feeding tube) is inserted into the stomach if the patient is unable to take food by mouth. It is also known as g-tube.
Gavage Feedings
Feedings given through a tube inserted in the baby's mouth or nose into the stomach.
Gene
A segment of DNA that produces a protein product and codes for a trait such as blood type or eye color, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases.
Gene Therapy
Inserting the normal gene into a person, to replace a non-working or missing gene.
General Anesthesia
Causes a patient to be unconscious during surgery. The medication is either inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, or administered through an intravenous (IV) line - a thin plastic tube inserted into a vein. A breathing tube may be inserted into the windpipe to maintain proper breathing during surgery.
General Anesthetic
An anesthetic which causes the patient to become unconscious during surgery.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
A mental disorder characterized by chronic, excessive worry and fear that seems to have no real cause. Children or adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder often worry a lot about things such as future events, past behaviors, social acceptance, family matters, their personal abilities and/or school performance.
Generalized Breast Lumpiness
Noncancerous irregularities and lumpiness in the breast tissue. It is also known as fibroid breasts or fibrocystic breast disease.
Genetic Counseling
Providing an assessment of heritable risk factors and information to patients and their relatives concerning the consequences of a disorder, the probability of developing or transmitting it, and ways in which it can be prevented, treated, and managed. Genetic counseling is provided by a physician with specialized training in genetics or a genetic counselor.
Genetic Counselor
A professional who reviews the medical and family history, as well as examines your child to help in diagnosis. A genetic counselor also counsels your family regarding risk for recurrence of craniofacial abnormalities in future pregnancies.
Genetic Disorders, prenatal diagnosis of
Through the use of prenatal ultrasound (examining the fetus using ultrasound imaging before birth) the diagnosis of some birth defects can be detected. With this knowledge, families can seek out information which will allow them to participate more fully in decision making and planning care for their infant. It provides them opportunity to plan for delivery at an institution that is able to care for both mother and baby which avoids the trauma of transport and separation. Genetic disorders may be suspected with findings on the ultrasound but the diagnosis can only be made by looking at the cells which will involve an invasive test. This will be discussed with you along with the risks and benefits of knowing a specific diagnosis. Genes are the blueprint for human growth and development and tell the cell how to function. For some families there is a known genetic disorder in the family history, for others this is a sporadic occurrence with no known inheritance pattern in the family.
Genetic Studies
Diagnostic tests that evaluate for conditions that have a tendency to run in families.
Genetics
Refers to our inherited traits. We receive this information through the genes or chromosomes of our parents.
Genetics Center
The Genetics Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a program for children and adults with concerns about genetic disorders, birth defects and related issues such as neurofibromatosis, velocardiofacial syndrome (DiGeorge Syndrome), metabolic disorders, mitochondrial, phenylketonuria (PKU), newborn screening follow-up and cancer genetics screening.
Genioplasty
Surgery of the chin, whereby its shape or size is altered.
Genital Herpes
A sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Genital Warts
A sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). caused by a virus related to the virus that causes common skin warts. Usually, genital warts first appear as small, hard, painless bumps in the vaginal area, on the penis, or around the anus. Genital warts may be precursor to cervical cancer.
Genitals
External sex organs.
Genitourinary (GU)
Referring to the genitalia of a boy versus a girl; as well as the kidneys, bladder and all parts of the urinary system or how the body makes and gets rid of urine.
Germ Cell
The reproductive cells of the body (ova, or eggs, and sperm).
Germ Cell Tumors
Tumors which are comprised of germ cells (cells that develop into the reproductive system).
German Measles
An acute viral infection that causes a mild illness in children and slightly more severe illness in adults. The disease is spread person-to-person through airborne particles and takes two to three weeks to incubate. It is also known as rubella.
Gestational Assessment
Assessing a baby's physical maturity. Maturity assessment is helpful in meeting a baby's needs if the dates of a pregnancy are uncertain.
Gestational Diabetes
The term gestation refers to pregnancy. Therefore, this is the development of diabetic type symptoms during pregnancy. When a mother who does not have diabetes develops a resistance to insulin because of the hormones of pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes may be non-insulin dependent or insulin dependent.
Giardia Lamblia
A parasite found in spoiled food or unclean water that can cause diarrhea.
Glandular Fever
Is characterized by swollen lymph glands and fatigue. It is also known as infectious mononucleosis, "mono" or mononucleosis.
Glaucoma
Increased intraocular pressure that can result in optic nerve damage and loss of sight.
Glenn Shunt
A surgical connection between the superior vena cava and the right pulmonary artery, allowing oxygen-poor (blue) blood to flow into the lungs.
Glomerulonephritis
A type of glomerular kidney disease in which the kidneys' filters become inflamed and scarred, and slowly lose their ability to remove wastes and excess fluid from the blood to make urine.
Glomerulosclerosis
The term used to describe scarring that occurs within the kidneys in the small balls of tiny blood vessels called the glomeruli. The glomeruli assist the kidneys in filtering urine from the blood.
Glucagon
A protein hormone secreted by the pancreas to stimulate the liver to produce glucose.
Glucose
A simple sugar made by the body from carbohydrates in food. Glucose is the body's main source of energy.
Glucose Tolerance Test
A test usually conducted in the 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Measures levels of sugar (glucose) in the mother's blood. Abnormal glucose levels may indicate gestational diabetes.
Gluten
A protein in grains such as wheat, oats, rye and barley.
Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy
A sensitivity to gluten, a wheat protein. Individuals with this disease must avoid gluten-containing grains, which include all forms of wheat, oats, barley and rye. It is also known as celiac disease or celiac sprue.
Goiter
Enlarged thyroid gland.
Goldenhar Syndrome
A condition in which the tissues on one side of the face are underdeveloped, affecting primarily the ear (aural), mouth (oral), and jaw (mandibular) areas. Sometimes, both sides of the face can be affected and may involve the skull, as well as the face. It is also known as hemifacial microsomia, brachial arch syndrome, facio-auriculo-vertebral syndrome, oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum or lateral facial dysplasia. It is also known as hemifacial microsomia (HFM).
Gonadotropins
Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland.
Gonads
Ovaries and testes.
Gonorrhea
A common sexually transmitted disease causing inflammation of the genital mucous membranes. It may involve the upper and lower genital tracts, the bladder and kidneys, and may spread to other structures via the bloodstream. Can lead to infertility in women.
Grade
The grade of a cancer reflects how abnormal it looks under the microscope. There are several grading systems for different types of cancer.
Graft
Transplanted organs, tissues or cells. Uninjured skin, which is removed from its original site and placed on the burn wound.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
The condition that results when the immune cells of a transplant (usually of bone marrow) from a donor attack the tissues of the person receiving the transplant.
Granulation Tissue
A specialized tissue created by the body as a response to injury. It is exceedingly rich in tiny blood vessels.
Granulocytes
A type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection. The types of granulocytes include: basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils.
Granuloma Annulare
A chronic skin condition characterized by small, raised bumps that form a ring with a normal or sunken center.
Grasp Reflex
Stroking the palm of a baby's hand causes the baby to close his/her fingers in a grasp. The grasp reflex lasts only a couple of months and is stronger in premature babies.
Graves Disease
Most often associated with hyperthyroidism and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism found in pregnancy. Researchers believe Graves disease is caused by an antibody that stimulates the thyroid too much, in turn, causing the excess production of thyroid hormone.
Growth Factors
A naturally occurring protein that causes cells to grow and divide.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
The absence or deficiency of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the body to grow. Growth hormone deficiency may occur during infancy or later in childhood.
Grunting
A sound made by a baby who is having difficulty breathing.
Guillain-Barre' Syndrome (GBS)
A reversible condition that affects the nerves in the body. GBS can result in muscle weakness, pain and even temporary paralysis of the facial, chest and leg muscles. Paralysis of the chest muscles can lead to breathing problems.
Gum Disease
Serious bacterial infection that destroys the gums and the surrounding tissues of the mouth. It is also known as periodontal disease.
Gynecology Clinic
The Gynecology Clinic at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin focuses on the medical needs of children and adolescents from infants to teens including: vaginal problems, pelvic pain, menstrual and pubertal disorders.
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