Children Doctors weigh children at routine checkups. They plot measurements on a growth chart to see how your child compares physically to other children of the same age. Doctors update the chart at each routine exam to document your child's growth pattern. "Overweight" and "obese" are terms sometimes used when...

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that affects males. Typically, males have one X and one Y chromosome; males with Klinefelter syndrome have at least two X chromosomes in addition to their Y chromosome and, in rare cases, as many as three or four. Symptoms, when present, vary from one person to another...

Body mass index (BMI), which measures weight in relation to height, is used to identify a possible weight problem for a child. A child with a BMI in the 86th to 94th percentile on a growth chart is usually considered overweight. A child who has a BMI below the 5th percentile may be considered underweight. Children grow...

Sexual orientation means how you are attracted romantically and sexually to other people. There are different kinds of sexual orientation. For example, a person may be: Heterosexual—attracted only or almost only to the other binary (male/female) gender. "Binary" is the idea that there are only two genders, male and...

Until the foreskin can be pulled back, wash only the outside of the penis. Don't try to force the foreskin back. When the foreskin can be pulled back, the area needs to be cleaned every day. Infants and young children A baby's foreskin does not pull back easily for about 6 months. Don't force it. Until you can pull the...

Children with poor eating habits don't get the amounts of nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. This can lead to being underweight or overweight. Children who are poorly nourished tend to have weaker immune systems, which increases their chances of illness. They are more likely to develop certain...

What is stuttering? Stuttering is a speech problem in which a person may repeat, draw out, not complete, or skip words or sounds without meaning to. The problem can range from mild to severe. Sometimes stuttering starts during a child's early language-learning years (ages 2 through 7 years) and goes away on its own...

Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. But each child grows and gains skills at his or her own pace. Some children may be advanced in one area, such as language. But they may be behind in another, such as sensory and motor development. Milestones...

An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount of the enzyme ALP in the blood. ALP is made mostly in the liver and in bone with some made in the intestines and kidneys. It also is made by the placenta during pregnancy. The liver makes more ALP than the other organs or the bones. Some conditions cause large...

If your child with Down syndrome is between the ages of 5 and 13, you will likely have ongoing questions and concerns. Your doctor can help answer your questions. And he or she can guide you to appropriate resources to help you manage your feelings and plan for your child's long-term care needs. Your doctor will likely...

A testicular prosthesis is a small implant with a size, shape, and consistency like a real testicle. It's usually made of a soft plastic (silicone) shell and filled with saline (salt water). The risks of a testicular prosthesis include infection and bleeding or blood clots in the scrotum. But these problems aren't...

Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in the spine. Some curves in the spine are normal. But sometimes a spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make it hard to breathe. Spinal fusion is surgery that helps straighten the...

The nasal septum is the wall between the nostrils that separates the two nasal passages. It supports the nose and directs airflow. The septum is made of thin bone in the back and cartilage in the front. A deviated septum means that the cartilage or bone isn't straight. A crooked septum can make it hard to breathe. It...

DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a male hormone (androgen) that is made in the adrenal glands. The body turns it into testosterone. A test for DHEA-S checks the level of this hormone in the blood. Testosterone affects sexual features and development. In men, it is made in large amounts by the testicles. In...

Stretch marks are lines that appear on the skin as slightly indented streaks. They may look reddish or purplish, depending on your skin color. Or they can look lighter than the color of your skin. With time, they may fade and become less noticeable. Stretch marks may appear any time a person gains a lot of weight. They...