Conditions & Topics (A - Z)

Select from the alphabetical list to find the symptom or condition you're looking for.

D

DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery.

Dance Reflex
This reflex is also called the walking or step reflex because a baby appears to take steps or walk when held upright with his/her feet touching a solid surface.

Debridement
The surgical removal of foreign material and/or dead, damaged or infected tissue from a wound or burn.

Decibel
Unit that measures the intensity or loudness of sound.

Deciduous Teeth
The primary teeth (baby teeth) which are replaced by the permanent teeth.

Defibrillator
An electronic device used to establish normal heartbeat.

Deformational Plagiocephaly
Deformational plagiocephaly refers to a misshapen (asymmetrical) shape of the head (cranium) from repeated pressure to the same area of the head. It also is called positional plagiocephaly. It is treated in the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Dehydration
Loss of fluids from the body, caused by diarrhea, excessive sweating or lack of fluid intake. When the bloodstream and the cells of the body contain less fluid than normal, often due to vomiting or diarrhea. The body's mineral balance may also be affected.

Deletion
When a part of a chromosome is missing, or part of the DNA code is missing.

Delusions
A perception that is thought to be true by the person experiencing it, although the perception is wrong.

De Novo
New, not present previously.

Dental Amalgams
Are comprised of a mixture of mercury (45 to 50 percent) and an alloy of silver, tin and copper (50 to 55 percent). It is also known as silver fillings.

Dental Arch
The horseshoe-shaped sections of the jaws that contain the teeth.

Dental Center
Children's Dental Center offers a full range of pediatric dental services, including orthodontics. Orthodontic care also is extended to adult patients. From our pediatric training and experience to our child-friendly clinic equipment and atmosphere, Children's Dental Center strives to make going to the dentist a pleasant experience for both you and your child.

Dental Fluorosis
A condition that results from drinking overly fluoridated water that often causes the teeth to become discolored and the enamel of the teeth to look spotted, pitted or stained.

Dental Implants
Small dental appliances that are inserted into the upper and lower jaws to help rebuild a mouth that has few or no restorable teeth.

Dental Pulp
The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.

Dental Sealant
A thin, plastic film that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - molars and premolars - to prevent tooth decay.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
The chemical which makes up our genes. It is also known as Deoxyribosenucleic Acid (DNA).

Depressed Skull Fracture
Skull fracture that may be seen with or without a cut in the scalp. In this fracture, part of the skull is actually sunken in from the trauma. Usually, this type of skull fracture requires surgical intervention to help correct the deformity.

Depression
A mood disorder characterized by extreme feelings of sadness, lack of self-worth and dejection.

Depth Perception
The ability to distinguish objects in a visual field.

Dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin usually resulting in redness and pain, occasionally with itching.

Dermatofibroma
Small, red or brown bumps in the skin.

Dermatology Clinic
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers one of the most comprehensive centers for treating vascular malformations and birthmarks in the country. We also are one of the largest pediatric dermatology practices in the country and treat a range of problems including acne, alopecia (hair loss), atopic dermatitis (excema), birthmarks, hemangiomas, psoriasis, vitiligo, viral skin infections and genetic skin diseases.

Dermatomyositis
A type of rheumatic disease in which the blood vessels under the skin and muscles are inflamed, causing damage to the muscle tissue.

Dermis
The middle layer of skin, which is made up of blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen bundles and fibroblasts.

Dermoid Cyst
A benign tumor made up of hairs, sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

Descending Colon
The portion of the large intestine located on the left side of the body.

Desensitization
Treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom involving giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. It is also called allergy shots, hyposensitization and immunotherapy.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)
A condition of the hip joint that is congenital (present at birth). The hip joint is created as a ball-and-socket joint. In DDH, the hip socket may be shallow, letting the "ball" of the long leg bone, also known as the femoral head, slip in and out of the socket. The "ball" may move partially or completely out of the hip socket.

Dextrocardia
A heart that is "flipped over," so that the structures that are normally on the right side of the chest are on the left and vice versa. The arteries and veins are connected correctly; occurs due to an abnormality in heart development during pregnancy.

Diabetes
A serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening. It often is associated with long-term complications that can affect every system and part of the body.

Diabetes Clinic
The Diabetes Clinic at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is one of the largest in the country serving more than 1,000 children with diabetes and their families.

Diabetes Insipidus
A condition that results from insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), a hormone that helps the kidneys and body conserve the correct amount of water.

Diabetic Coma
Loss of consciousness due to untreated or under-treated diabetes. It is also known as ketoacidosis.

Diagnostic Radiology
The use of various radiology techniques, mostly noninvasive, to diagnose an array of medical conditions. Diagnostic radiology includes the use of x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasound.

Diagnostic Testing
Used to identify or confirm the diagnosis of a disease or a condition in a person or a family.

Dialysis
A medical procedure to remove wastes and additional fluid from the blood after the kidneys have stopped functioning.

Dialysis and Renal (Kidney) Clinics
The Dialysis Clinic at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin provides comprehensive medical care to infants, children and adolescents with diseases and other conditions of the kidney.

Diaper Dermatitis
An irritation of the skin in the diaper area. The rash is usually red, scaling and, rarely, ulcerated. It is also known as diaper rash.

Diaper Rash
An irritation of the skin in the diaper area. The rash is usually red, scaling and, rarely, ulcerated. It is also known as diaper dermatitis.

Diaphragm
A large dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs and above the stomach. It separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is essential to assist with breathing and is the primary muscle used for respiration.

Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH)
A life threatening birth defect characterized by a hole in the diaphragm through which the contents of the abdominal cavity are displaced into the chest cavity having a profound impact on an infant's ability to breathe.

Diaphragmatic Hernia, 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. A diaphragmatic hernia is a life threatening birth defect characterized by a hole in the diaphragm through which the contents of the abdominal cavity are displaced into the chest cavity having a profound impact on an infant's ability to breathe.

Diarrhea
Increase in frequency of stools compared to normal or looser bowel movements than usual. Causes include infections of the digestive system, medicines such as antibiotics, malabsorption and irritable bowel syndrome.

Diastatic Sull Facture
Skull fractures that occur along the suture lines in the skull. The sutures are the areas between the bones in the head that fuse with the growth of the child. In this type of fracture, the normal suture lines are widened. These fractures are more often seen in newborns and older infants.

Diastole
The time during each heartbeat when the ventricles are at rest, filling with blood and not pumping.

Diastolic Pressure
The lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats.

Diathermy Machine
A piece of equipment used in the operating room to control bleeding.

DiGeorge Syndrome
A genetic disease caused by a missing piece of chromosome material on chromosome #22 that results in many different health problems, and affects the normal fetal development of the heart, thymus and parathyroid glands. It is also known as Shprintzen syndrome, 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome and Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS). Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers a multidisciplinary clinic designed to address the various medical, educational and psychosocial needs of the children and their families with these syndromes.

DiGeorge and/or Velocardiofacial Syndrome, 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. DiGeorge is a genetic disease caused by a missing piece of chromosome material on chromosome #22 that results in many different health problems, and affects the normal fetal development of the heart, thymus and parathyroid glands. It is also known as Shprintzen syndrome, 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome and Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS).

Digestion
How the body breaks down food and uses it for energy, cell repair and growth. Starts in the mouth, continues in the stomach and small intestine and is completed in the large intestine. The liver and pancreas add enzymes and juices that aid in this process.

Digestive System
The group of organs that break down foods into chemical components that the body can absorb and use for energy, and for building and repairing cells and tissues.

Digestive Tract
The organs that are involved in digestion; including the mouth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine.

Dilate
Relax; expand; to enlarge, stretch or widen. Refers to the cervical opening that is stretching and widening, eventually to 10 cm, to accomodate the delivery of a baby.

Dinitrogen Monoxide (N2O)
A chemical compound with chemical formula N2O. Under room conditions it is a colourless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant slightly sweet odor. It is commonly known as "laughing gas" due to the exhilarating effects of inhaling it, and because it can cause spontaneous laughter in some users. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. Dinitrogen Oxide is present in the atmosphere where it acts as a powerful greenhouse gas. It is also known as dinitrogen oxide or nitrous oxide.

Dinitrogen Oxide (N2O)
A chemical compound with chemical formula N2O. Under room conditions it is a colourless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant slightly sweet odor. It is commonly known as "laughing gas" due to the exhilarating effects of inhaling it, and because it can cause spontaneous laughter in some users. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. Dinitrogen Oxide is present in the atmosphere where it acts as a powerful greenhouse gas. It is also known as dinitrogen monoxide or nitrous oxide.

Diphtheria
A serious, infectious disease that produces a toxin (poison) and an inflammation in the membrane lining of the throat, nose, trachea and other tissues.

Diplopia
Double vision.

Direct Contact Transmission
Transmission of an infection through a direct body surface-to-body contact with an infected person.

Direct DNA Studies
Studies which look directly at the gene in question for an error.

Disintegrative Disorder
One type of pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by a marked regression in multiple areas of functioning following a period of at least two years of apparently normal development. It is also known as childhood disintegrative disorder and disintegrative psychosis.

Disintegrative Psychosis
One type of pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by a marked regression in multiple areas of functioning following a period of at least two years of apparently normal development. It is also known as childhood disintegrative disorder and disintegrative disorder.

Dislocation
A dislocation occurs when extreme force is put on a ligament causing the two bone ends to separate. Dislocations can also affect a joint, the point where two or more bones come together. The joint is created as a "ball-and-socket" joint. A dislocated joint causes the head of the bone (ball) to partially or completely come out of the socket.

Disorder of Written Expression
A difficulty with writing skills such as understanding grammar or punctuation, spelling, paragraph organization or composing written information.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Includes mental health problems with a focus on behaviors that both identify emotional problems and create interpersonal and social problems for children and adolescents in the course of their development. It is also known as behavior disorders.

Distention
Swelling or bloating, usually referring to the abdomen.

Diuretic
A medication that helps the kidneys to remove excess fluids from the body, lowering blood pressure as well as decreasing edema (swelling).

Diverticulitis
Occurs when one or more small pouches in the large intestine (called a diverticulum) become irritated or infected.

Diverticulum
A small pouch in the wall of the large intestine, which usually do not cause a problem unless it becomes irritated or infected. It is also known as Meckel's diverticulum.

Dizziness
Physical unsteadiness, imbalance and lightheadedness associated with balance and other disorders.

DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine.

DNA
The chemical which makes up our genes. It is also known as Deoxyribonucleic Acid or Deoxyribosenucleic Acid.

Doppler Ultrasound
A procedure that uses sound waves to evaluate heart, blood vessels and valves.

Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)
A congenital heart defect in which both the aorta and the pulmonary artery are connected to the right ventricle.

Down Syndrome
A combination of birth defects caused by the presence of an extra #21 chromosome in each cell of the body. Many children with Down syndrome also have congenital heart disease - usually atrioventricular canal (AV Canal or AVC) defect. It is also known as Trisomy 21.

Down Syndrome Clinic of Wisconsin
Down Syndrome Clinic of Wisconsin staff is committed to improving the health and well-being of children and adults with Down syndrome and their families. We understand that well-being includes many complex issues and requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health care approach and are connected to a statewide network of resources.

Drug Rashes
Are the body's reaction to a certain medication. The type of rash that occurs depends on the type of drug that is causing it. Rashes can range from mild to severe.

Drug Resistance
Refers to the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to the effects of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer.

Dubowitz/Ballard Exam for Gestational Age
An examination used to estimate a newborn's gestational age from the baby's appearance, skin texture, motor function and reflexes.

Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
The most common form of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne's muscular dystrophy usually affects only males. It occurs in one out of 3,500 live male births. Muscular dystrophy rarely affects girls, but when it does, the condition is normally not as severe.

Ducts
Narrow tube structures or channels that carry body fluids. In the breast, ducts transport milk from the lobules to the nipple.

Ductus Arteriosus
A short connecting vessel between the aorta and pulmonary artery. This is a normal connection in a fetus to shunt blood away from the lungs. However, this should close shortly after birth. It is also known as Patent (open) Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).

Duodenal Ulcer
An open sore in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

Duodenum
The first part of the small intestine, nearest to the stomach.

Duplication
When a part of a chromosome is present in two copies.

Dust Mites
Microscopic organisms that can live and thrive throughout homes and schools. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions and feed on the shed scales of human skin.

Dyslexia
A reading disorder characterized by reading ability below the expected level given a child's age, school grade and intelligence. Dyslexia is diagnosed and treated in the Child Development Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Dysmenorrhea
Pain or discomfort experienced just before or during a menstrual period.

Dysmenorrhea, Primary
From the beginning and usually lifelong; often severe and frequent menstrual cramping caused by uterine contractions.

Dysmenorrhea, Secondary
Due to some physical cause and usually of later onset; painful menstrual periods caused by an another medical condition present in the body (i.e., pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis).

Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing food or liquid.

Dysplasia
Abnormal development of tissue.

Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or a sensation of difficulty in breathing.

Dysrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm; a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat. It is also known as arrhythmia.

Dysthymia
Classified as a type of affective disorder (or mood disorder) that often resembles a less severe, yet more chronic form of major (clinical) depression. However, persons with dysthymia may also experience major depressive episodes at times. It is also known as dysthymic disorder.

Dysthymic Disorder
Classified as a type of affective disorder (or mood disorder) that often resembles a less severe, yet more chronic form of major (clinical) depression. However, persons with dysthymic disorder may also experience major depressive episodes at times. It is also known as dysthymia.

Dystonia
Any of various conditions characterized by abnormalities of movement and muscle tone. Dystonia is treated in the Tone Management and Mobility Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.