Conditions & Topics (A - Z)

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

R

Rabies
A viral infection of certain warm-blooded animals and is caused by a virus in the Rhabdoviridae family. It attacks the nervous system and, once symptoms develop, it is 100 percent fatal in animals, if left untreated.

Rabies Registry
An online tool for health care professionals to download the Rabies Protocol used at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and enter statistics into a database tracking the outcomes of the protocol.

Radiation Burns
Burns due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, or to other sources of radiation such as x-ray.

Radiation Oncologist
A physician who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

Radiation Oncology
The treatment of cancer and other diseases with radiation. High energy x-rays are used to kill the cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying. Radiation oncology may be used to cure or control cancer, or to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with cancer. It is also known as therapeutic radiology.

Radiation Therapist
A professional specially trained to operate equipment that delivers radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy
Treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside of the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (internal or implant radiation).

Radio Frequency (RF)
Catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
A small instrument used to destroy tumors with heat. This procedure is performed under image guidance for precision and is effective for destroying a variety of tumors. This is often used to treat painful bone tumors called osteoid osteomas. It also is called electrosurgery.

Radioactivity
The emission of radiation when the nuclei of certain atoms become unstable.

RadioAllergoSorbent Test, a Trademark of Pharmacia Diagnostics (RAST)
A laboratory test used to detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens. A RAST requires a blood sample, which is sent to a medical laboratory where tests are done with specific foods to determine whether the patient has IgE antibodies to that food. The intradermal form of the RAST is called the Immuno CAP or CAP test.

Radioisotope
A radioactive material injected into the body so that a nuclear scanner can make pictures.

Radioisotope Scan
Uses radioactive substances introduced into the body to create an image of the functioning adrenal gland.

Radiology (Imaging)
The branch of medicine that uses radioactive substances, electromagnetic radiation, and sound waves to create images of the body, its organs and structures for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment.

Radiologist
A physician with special training in diagnosing diseases by interpreting x-rays and other types of imaging studies (i.e., CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging).

Radionuclide
Basic radioactively-tagged compound necessary to produce a nuclear medicine image. It is also known as radiopharmaceutical or tracer.

Radiopharmaceutical
Basic radioactively-tagged compound necessary to produce a nuclear medicine image. It is also known as radionuclide or tracer.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep
This is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly back and forth.

Rashes
Skin eruption. The five most common childhood rashes include measles or rubeola, rubella, varicella (or chickenpox), fifth disease and roseola. It is also known as viral exanthems.

RAST (RadioAllergoSorbent Test, a trademark of Pharmacia Diagnostics)
A laboratory test used to detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens. A RAST requires a blood sample, which is sent to a medical laboratory where tests are done with specific foods to determine whether the patient has IgE antibodies to that food. The intradermal form of the RAST is called the Immuno CAP or CAP test.

Reading Disorder
A learning disorder characterized by reading abilities below the expected level for her/his age, school grade, and intelligence.

Recovery Room
The area a patient is brought to after surgery to recover. It is also known as post-anesthesia care unit.

Rectal Manometry
A test that measures the movements and strength of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles.

Rectal Prolapse
A condition in which the end part of the bowels comes out of the anus.

Rectum
The lower end of the large intestine.

Red-Green Color Blindness
A gene on the X chromosome which typically affects only males and causes difficulty with distinguishing shades of red and green.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
Blood cells that mainly help transport oxygen to all the tissues in the body. It is also known as erythrocytes.

Red Measles
A very contagious viral illness characterized by a distinct rash and a fever; spread through airborne droplets of nasal secretions. It is also known as 10-day measles, measles or rubeola.

Reflection Imaging
Reflection imaging refers to the type of imaging produced by sending high-frequency sounds to the body part or organ being studied. These sound waves "bounce" off of the various types of body tissues and structures at varying speeds, depending on the density of the tissues present. The bounced sound waves are sent to a computer that analyzes the sound waves and produces a visual image of the body part or structure. Ultrasound is an example of reflection imaging.

Reflexes
An unintentional movement or action.

Reflux
Digestive juices, food and liquids moving backward from the stomach into the esophagus, and possibly into the mouth.

Reflux Esophagitis
Irritation of the lining of the esophagus due to movement of digestive juices backward from the stomach into the esophagus.

Refractive Error
Abnormal shape of the cornea that results in decreased vision. This type of problem can usually be corrected with glasses or contacts.

Regimen
A strict, regulated plan (such as diet, exercise, or other activity) designed to reach certain goals. In cancer treatment, a plan to treat cancer.

Regional Anesthetic
An anesthetic used to numb a portion of the body.

Regurgitation
Backward flow of blood caused by a defective heart valve.

Rehabilitation and Fitness Clinic
The Pediatric Rehabilitation Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers inpatient hospital services as well as outpatient clinic services for children recovering from brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and orthopedic sports injuries. The Rehabilitation and Fitness Clinic is part of the Tone Management and Mobility Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Rejection
An immune system response to transplanted tissues or organs.

Relapse
Reappearance of cancer after a disease-free period.

Remission
Complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer in response to treatment; the period during which a disease is under control. A remission may not be a cure.

Renal
Pertaining to the kidneys.

Renal Angiography
A series of x-rays of the renal blood vessels with the injection of a contrast dye into a catheter, which is placed into the blood vessels of the kidney, to detect any signs of blockage or abnormalities affecting the blood supply to the kidneys. It is also known as renal arteriography.

Renal Arteriography
A series of x-rays of the renal blood vessels with the injection of a contrast dye into a catheter, which is placed into the blood vessels of the kidney, to detect any signs of blockage or abnormalities affecting the blood supply to the kidneys. It is also known as renal angiography.

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

Renal Pelvis
The area of the kidneys where urine is held before traveling down ureters and into the bladder.

Renal Ultrasound
A non-invasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney producing sound waves which bounce off of the kidney, transmitting a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst or other obstruction or abnormality. It is also known as a sonography.

Required Surgery
An operation which is necessary to continue quality of life. Required surgery may not have to be done immediately, like emergency surgery.

Research
Is an active, diligent and systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviors, or theories, or to make practical applications with the help of such facts, laws or theories. The term "research" is also used to describe the collection of information about a particular subject.

Respiration
Gas exchange from air to the blood and from the blood to the body cells.

Respiratory Care Practitioner
A health care provider who specializes in caring for issues related to the respiratory (breathing) system. It is also known as a respiratory therapist.

Respiratory Diphtheria
When a person is infected with diphtheria, the bacterium usually multiplies in the throat, leading to the respiratory version of diphtheria. A membrane may form over the throat and tonsils, causing a sore throat. Other common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria may include: breathing difficulty, a husky voice, enlarged lymph glands, and an increased heart rate.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
A condition of premature infant lungs due to insufficient surfactant, a substance in the lungs that helps the air sacs stay open. It is also known as hyaline membrane disease (HMD).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
An infection that causes inflammation of the lower airways and pneumonia.

Respiratory System
The group of organs responsible for carrying oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and for expelling carbon dioxide.

Respiratory Therapist
A health care provider who specializes in caring for issues related to the respiratory (breathing) system. It is also known as a respiratory care practitioner.

Retina
The light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina senses light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

Retinoblastoma
Cancer of the retina (back of the eye).

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
A disorder of the blood vessels of the retina (the light sensitive part of the eye) that is common in premature babies.

Retracting
When the baby is pulling the chest in at the ribs with breathing.

Rett's Disorder
One type of pervasive developmental disorder which occurs most often in girls and is characterized by the development of multiple specific deficits following a period of normal functioning after birth.

Reye Syndrome
A condition that affects the brain, liver, and kidney function. It has a very rapid onset that can cause the child to go into a coma, or can result in death within hours of the symptoms.

Rhabdomyosarcoma
A cancerous tumor that originates in the soft tissues of the body such as muscle, tendons, and connective tissue.

Rheumatic Fever
A systemic disease accompanied by fever and arthritis that varies in severity, duration, and outcomes. It may be followed by heart involvement.

Rheumatic Heart Disease
A condition in which permanent damage to heart valves is caused by rheumatic fever. The heart valve is damaged by a disease process that generally begins with a strep throat caused by bacteria called Streptococcus and may eventually cause rheumatic fever.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
An inflammatory arthritis that occurs in adults which is characterized by painful and stiff joints on both sides of the body.

Rheumatology Clinic
The Rheumatology Clinic at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin offers multidisciplinary comprehensive care to children with rheumatic diseases such as juvenile dermatomyositis, fibromyalgia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, scleroderma, lupus and Kawasaki disease.

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Detects whether rheumatoid factor is present in the blood (an antibody found in the blood of most, but not all, people who have rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other rheumatic diseases).

Rheumatologist (Pediatric Rheumatologist)
A physician who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues in children and adolescents.

Rhinitis
An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, often due to allergy to pollen, dust, or other airborne substances. Rhinitis causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and nasal congestion. It is also known as hay fever.

Rhizotomy
When the spinal rootlets are surgically cut, permanently altering the messages that lead to spasticity in the legs. It also is called selective dorsal rhizotomy and is one of the many treatments available to treat spasticity in the Tone Management and Mobility Program.

R.I.C.E.
Rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Right Atrium (RA)
The upper right chamber of the heart, which receives oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the body and sends it to the right ventricle.

Right Ventricle (RV)
The lower right chamber of the heart, which receives oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the right atrium and sends it to the pulmonary artery.

Ring Chromosome
A chromosome whose ends stick together to form a circle or ring.

Ringworm
A fungal skin infection characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly, or blistery patches. It is also known as tinea infections.

Risk Factor
A condition, element, or activity that may adversely affect the heart.

Rooming-In
When mothers and newborns remain together in the same room through the hospital stay.

Root Reflex
This reflex begins when the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his/her head and open his/her mouth to follow and "root" in the direction of the stroking. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to begin feeding.

Rooting
When a newborn turns his or her head toward touch near the mouth.

Rosacea
A common facial skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels.

Ross Procedure
A surgical procedure performed to repair aortic stenosis. The child's own pulmonary valve and base of the pulmonary artery (autograft) replace the defective aorta, while a homograft (blood vessel from a tissue donor) replaces the pulmonary valve and base of the pulmonary artery. It is also known as pulmonary homograft.

Rotavirus
A virus that causes diarrhea. It is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in the United States, especially in children under 2 years old.

Round Window
Membrane separating the middle ear and inner ear.

Rubella
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 German Measles.

Rubeola
A very contagious viral illness characterized by a distinct rash and a fever; spread through airborne droplets of nasal secretions. It is also known as 10-day measles, measles or red measles.