Dehydration
Drying out; a condition in which an excessive amount of water has been lost from the body, resulting in decreased fluids in the tissues and circulation; most commonly due to loss of body fluids with vomiting and/or diarrhea; also can be caused by excessive sweating in hot weather.

Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin caused by allergies, infection or irritation.

Diabetes mellitus (type I)
A disease characterized by the inability of the pancreas to secrete sufficient insulin to keep blood sugar (glucose) levels normal; childhood-onset diabetes (type I) is usually more severe and dependent on insulin than adult-onset (type II) diabetes; if not treated, results in excessive urination, extreme thirst and hunger, weight loss, weakness and, in extreme cases, coma and death; treatment is with insulin and careful dietary control.

Diarrhea
Abnormally frequent, watery bowel movements; usually caused by viral or bacterial infections.

Diphtheria
A very serious vaccine-preventable infectious disease marked by a severe sore throat, high fever and weakness; caused by the bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae; rarely seen in developing countries because of successful immunization programs (the "D" in DTaP vaccine).

Doula
An experienced woman who provides continuous emotional and physical support for a couple (or a woman) during late pregnancy, labor and delivery and, sometimes, even in the weeks following the birth of the child.

Dysentery
A disease characterized by frequent, painful, watery bowel movements that are often bloody and mucoid; often accompanied by fever, abdominal pain and dehydration; usually caused by an infection.

Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.

E

Eczema
An inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by itching, redness, peeling, swelling and/or crusting; often triggered by allergies or direct irritation.

Edema
Swelling; an excess of fluids accumulating in the tissues.

Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain; usually caused by a viral infection.

Encephalopathy
A generalized disturbance of brain function causing changes in behavior, consciousness, and/or seizures.

Encopresis
Repeated involuntary passage of feces into inappropriate places (such as underpants) in children who already have been toilet-trained; often seen as soiling of the underpants in young children who are constipated.

Endocarditis
Inflammation of the lining of the heart; usually caused by bacterial infection.

Endocrine system
The system of hormone-secreting glands of the body, including thyroid and adrenal glands.

Enuresis
Involuntary passing of urine; generally used to describe children who already have been toilet trained.

Epilepsy
A chronic condition characterized by episodic, recurrent seizures; usually associated with some alteration in level of consciousness; caused by an underlying disorder that affects the electrical activity of the brain.

Epistaxis
A nosebleed.

Erythema
Redness of the skin; results from increased blood flow to the skin seen with flushing, inflammation (including sunburn) or infection.

Esophagus
The muscular tube leading from the mouth to the top of the stomach; permits passage of food and liquids into the stomach after eating.

F

Failure to thrive
A condition seen in young children which is marked by chronically and significantly impaired physical growth; may be accompanied by delayed developmental and/or social milestones; causes include physical and/or psychosocial factors.

Febrile
Feverish; having a fever.

Febrile seizure
Febrile convulsion; a seizure that occurs with fever; typically seen in children 6 months to 5 years of age (most commonly under 2 years of age); usually occurs within the first 24 hours of an illness and is related to how quickly the child's temperature rises, not how high it goes; resolves without treatment, and rarely develops into epilepsy.

Fetal alcohol syndrome
A congenital syndrome of birth defects caused by exposure of the fetus to excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy; can lead to poor growth, learning problems and a characteristic facial appearance.

Food poisoning
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain caused by eating food contaminated by certain kinds of bacteria or their toxins.

Foreign body
An object that becomes lodged in a body cavity(such as the nose, ear or vagina) and is not readily absorbed into the tissues.

Fracture
A break or crack in a bone, often diagnosed by x-ray.

Fragile X syndrome
A genetic syndrome seen mainly, but not exclusively, in males; marked by a spectrum of developmental, learning, and behavior problems, as well as characteristic physical features; caused by a mutation on the X chromosome.

Frostbite
Damage to tissues caused by exposure to extreme cold; usually affects exposed fingers, toes, nose and ears; mild cases are associated with redness and some pain, but severe cases may result in gangrene and require amputation of the affected body part.

Fungus
A class of organisms including yeast, molds, and mushrooms; can cause mild or serious infections; some fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medications.