Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. The condition is more common in adults. But it’s the most common thyroid disorder in children. Not enough thyroid hormone leads to signs, such as slow growth, lack of activity, and poor performance in school.

With childhood obesity on the rise, should parents worry about the weight of their babies?

Circumcision is a surgery to remove the skin covering the end of the penis. This is called the foreskin. This surgery is most often done 1 or 2 days after a baby's birth. Read on to learn more about this procedure.

Colic is when a healthy baby cries for a very long time for no obvious reason. It is a common problem that affects some babies during the first 6 weeks of life.

Constipation is when a child has very hard stools and has fewer bowel movements than normal. It is a very common gastrointestinal (GI) problem.

Cradle cap (infant seborrheic dermatitis) is scaly patches on a baby's scalp. Cradle cap isn’t serious, but it can cause thick crusting and white or yellow scales. Some babies can also have seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area, and on the face, neck, and trunk. Cradle cap usually clears up within the first year.

A core part of every baby's care is diapering. Read on for helpful information on changing diapers, preventing and treating diaper rash, and the pros and cons of cloth and disposable diapers.

Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, your child may have a more serious problem. Read on to learn more.

The system that controls body temperature is not well developed in a newborn. Here's what you need to know about fever and your baby.

If your baby seems fussy and you've fed and changed him, he may have an upset stomach or colic. But don't worry, there are lots of things you can do to make your little one more comfortable and keep both of you calm.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a long-term (chronic) digestive disorder. It happens when stomach contents flow back up (reflux) into the food pipe (esophagus).

Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. With this disease, antibodies cause the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone in the bloodstream leads to the body's metabolism being too active. It can cause problems such as weight loss, nervousness, fast heartbeat, tiredness, and other issues. It’s an ongoing (chronic) condition that needs lifelong treatment.

An inguinal hernia is when part of your intestine pushes through a weak spot in your lower belly (abdominal) wall. This area is called the groin. The hernia creates a lump in your groin. Over time, the hernia may get bigger.

Young children often suck on their thumbs. It's perfectly normal. But some parents worry about it.

Crying is the way babies communicate. They cry because of hunger, discomfort, frustration, tiredness, and even loneliness.

Rumination syndrome causes an automatic regurgitation of recently eaten food. Here's what you need to know about this disorder.

Scrotal swelling is a common problem in baby boys and young boys. It can have many causes. These are often divided into painless and painful scrotal swelling.

Separation anxiety usually begins around 6 months of age. Babies may suddenly be afraid of familiar people, such as babysitters or grandparents.

Most healthcare providers advise taking a baby's temperature rectally, by placing a thermometer in the baby's anus. This method is accurate and gives a quick reading of the baby's internal temperature.

Temper tantrums are a normal part of childhood development. They often happen only with a parent. They are a way for the child to communicate their feelings. Read on to learn more.

Read on for tips to help keep your toddler from choking. Also learn what you to do if your child starts choking.

Read on to learn more about toilet training, from signs your child is ready to helpful tips for potty training success.

Achalasia is a rare disease that makes it hard to swallow food and liquids. In achalasia, there is a problem with the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus).

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. The condition is more common in adults. But it’s the most common thyroid disorder in children. Not enough thyroid hormone leads to signs, such as slow growth, lack of activity, and poor performance in school.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain-based, or neurodevelopmental, disorder. It is often first diagnosed in childhood.

Autism spectrum disorder is a problem that affects a child's nervous system and growth and development. It often shows up during a child's first 3 years of life.

Young children may bite others out of frustration or stress, or because they feel powerless. Infants and toddlers often bite as a way of exploring their world.

If a person has severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant may help. A cochlear implant is different from a hearing aid. A hearing aid makes sounds louder and helps someone who has some hearing loss. But a cochlear implant can help a person with very little or no hearing (partial or complete deafness).

Encopresis is when your child leaks stool into their underwear. It is also called stool soiling. It is most often because of long-term (chronic) constipation. Encopresis happens to children ages 4 and older who have already been toilet trained.

A person with fluency disorder has trouble speaking in a fluid or flowing way. They may repeat parts of words (stutter) or speak fast and jam words together (clutter).

Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. With this disease, antibodies cause the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone in the bloodstream leads to the body's metabolism being too active. It can cause problems such as weight loss, nervousness, fast heartbeat, tiredness, and other issues. It’s an ongoing (chronic) condition that needs lifelong treatment.

As part of your preparation for your new baby, you probably got an infant safety seat for the car. But do you know how to make sure it’s installed correctly? And when do you switch to a child safety seat? Learn the ins and outs of safe car travel for your little one.

A spine affected by kyphosis has a forward curvature of the back bones (vertebrae) in the upper back area, giving an abnormally rounded or humpback appearance.

A language disorder in a child means they have trouble understanding words that they hear and read. Or the child has trouble speaking with others and expressing thoughts and feelings.

A learning disorder is when a child has trouble learning in certain school subjects. Your child may have problems with reading, math, or writing. Here's what you need to know, and how to help.

Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder that most often occurs in children, teens, and young adults. This piece offers helpful information on how to help your child live with this disease.

There are many reasons why a child would feel anxious and not want to go to school. Read on to learn more about school refusal.

Scoliosis is a deformity of the backbone (spine). It's when the spine has a side-to-side curve. The curve of the spine measures 10° or more.

A speech sound disorder means that a child has trouble saying certain sounds and words past the expected age. This can make it hard to understand what a child is trying to say. Read on to learn about causes, risks, and treatments for these disorders.

Stuttering is a speech problem. The normal flow of speech is disrupted. A child who stutters repeats or prolongs sounds, syllables, or words. Stuttering is different from repeating words when learning to speak. Stuttering may make it difficult for a child to communicate with others.

Thumbsucking is normal in infants and young children. It shouldn't cause any permanent problems if your child stops by age 5.

Detailed information on the most common types of ringworm, including diagnosis and treatment

When wetting happens in a child who is old enough to control their bladder, it’s known as enuresis. Here's what you need to know.

Most children rely on backpacks to carry books and supplies to and from school and activities. But a backpack that's too heavy or doesn't fit right can cause harm.

Amenorrhea is when a girl's menstrual bleeding (period) doesn't occur.

The female pelvic area contains a number of organs and structures: the endometrium, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

A closer look at the structure of the breast.

Some breast changes or conditions are related to a young woman's menstrual cycle, but others may occur at any time. Most breast conditions are benign.

Your breasts change at different stages of your life. Breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you to find even small changes right away.

Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are severe, painful cramps that occur with menstruation.

A woman is generally most fertile (able to become pregnant) a few days before, during, and after ovulation.

Breast development happens in certain stages during a woman's life: first before birth, and again at puberty and later during the childbearing years. Changes also happen to the breasts during menstruation and when a woman reaches menopause.

A Pap test, along with a pelvic exam, is an important part of a female's routine healthcare because it may find abnormalities that can lead to invasive cancer.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of emotional and physical symptoms many women have in the days before their period starts. Lifestyle changes and sometimes medicines can help manage symptoms.

Girls experience puberty as a sequence of events, and their pubertal changes usually begin before boys of the same age. The first pubertal change in girls usually is breast development.

Vaginal bleeding and discharge are a normal part of a teen girl's menstrual cycle. If your daughter notices anything different or unusual, talk with your teen's healthcare provider.

Teen dating violence is worrisome. But it's not inevitable. Here's how you and your teen can prevent possibly unsafe situations and reduce the risk for problems.

Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vagina. It is a common problem in girls and women of all ages.

Vulvitis is an inflammation of the vulva. The vulva is the outer part of the female reproductive system.

In an uncircumcised boy, the foreskin will begin to separate from the tip of the penis. This happens naturally while the boy is a baby. This is called foreskin retraction.

Epididymitis is an inflammation or infection of the epididymis. This is a thin, coiled tube that sits on top of a male testicle. In younger boys, this condition can be caused by a urinary tract infection. In older boys and teens, it's often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The male reproductive anatomy includes the bladder, epididymis, penis, scrotum, and prostate gland.

During puberty, a teen boy will grow taller and heavier, and hormones will lead to sexual maturity. Read on to learn what to expect.

Teen dating violence is worrisome. But it's not inevitable. Here's how you and your teen can prevent possibly unsafe situations and reduce the risk for problems.

A varicocele is when veins in the scrotum have become large and swollen (dilated). The condition is like varicose veins that occur in the legs. Here's what you need to know.

The only safe sex is no sex, most healthcare providers say. But certain precautions and safe behaviors can reduce a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.

A detailed look at STIs and teens, from protection and treatment to different types of STIs.

Women suffer more frequent and severe symptoms from STDs. Some STDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to both infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. It is a form of self-starvation. Children and teens with this health problem have a distorted body image. They think they weigh too much.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. A child with bulimia overeats or binges uncontrollably. This overeating may be followed by self-induced throwing up (purging).

Bipolar disorder is a type of depression. A teen with bipolar disorder often has extreme mood swings. These mood swings go beyond the day's normal ups and downs.

Major depression goes beyond the day's normal ups and downs. It involves a teen's body, mood, and thoughts. It can affect and disrupt eating, sleeping, or thinking patterns.

Binge drinkers are most likely found on college campuses, where many students consider a big game or fraternity party an excuse to drink all weekend.

Read on for tips to help keep your children from smoking.

Ninety percent of new smokers are children and teenagers. In many cases, they are replacing the smokers who quit or died prematurely from a smoking-related disease.

On college campuses across the U.S., many students ages 18 to 24 are taking part in a dangerous activity called binge drinking. This means drinking alcohol to the point of getting drunk. Read on to learn more about the risks.

Around the country, more and more college students are abusing stimulants to help them study. Here's how to spot the signs of medicine use and keep your student safe.

LSD, also called acid, is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs.

DXM is a common ingredient in many cough and cold remedies. It's also become a popular substance to abuse by teens searching for a cheap, easy high. Here's what you should know.

Three kinds of prescription medicines are potentially addictive: opioids, tranquilizers, and stimulants. Here's what you should know.

Learn more about GHB, a dangerous and addictive illegal drug. GHB produces a feeling of euphoria and hallucinations. It is popular with teens who go to all-night dance parties.

Talking with your child about drugs, alcohol and tobacco is hard. But you can't afford to ignore these topics. Kids learn about these substances and feel pressure to use them at a very young age.

Knowing about marijuana can help you tell if your child or someone else is using it, and help them to get treatment.

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive drug. It is related to the legal stimulant amphetamine, but has stronger effects.

Cocaine use ranges from once in a while to nonstop. There is no safe way to use the drug.

Until recently, heroin was not considered a problem among children of middle-class parents. But lately, it has been showing up in new places. Today the typical user could be a person from any race, part of the country, socioeconomic level, or age.