Condition Lookup

Failure to Thrive

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Symptoms:
poor weight gain; growth faltering; delayed milestones; fatigue; irritability; loss of subcutaneous fat; muscle wasting

Root Cause:
Inadequate caloric intake, absorption issues (e.g., celiac disease), increased metabolic needs (e.g., congenital heart disease), or neglect.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detailed history, physical examination, growth chart assessment, nutritional evaluation, and sometimes lab tests or imaging studies.

Treatment:
Addressing the underlying cause, optimizing nutrition, and providing psychosocial support. A multidisciplinary team approach is often required.

Medications:
Medications depend on the underlying cause. For example, if malabsorption is due to celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is prescribed. Iron supplements may be recommended for iron-deficiency anemia.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Varies based on region and socioeconomic factors; affects up to 5% of children in some populations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, low socioeconomic status, chronic illnesses, feeding difficulties, neglect, or abuse.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely identification and intervention; however, untreated cases may result in long-term developmental and physical delays.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Developmental delays, weakened immunity, stunted growth, and behavioral problems.

Short Stature

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Growth Issues

Symptoms:
height below the 3rd percentile for age and sex; slower growth velocity; delayed puberty in some cases; associated syndromic features (if genetic)

Root Cause:
Genetic factors (e.g., familial short stature), endocrine disorders (e.g., growth hormone deficiency), chronic illnesses, or constitutional growth delay.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Growth chart analysis, bone age assessment (X-ray), blood tests (e.g., thyroid function, growth hormone levels), and genetic testing in some cases.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause; growth hormone therapy for growth hormone deficiency, thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism, or management of underlying chronic conditions.

Medications:
Growth hormone injections (e.g., somatropin ), if indicated for growth hormone deficiency. These are classified as hormone replacement therapies.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 3% of children; true pathological causes are less common.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, chronic illnesses (e.g., kidney disease), malnutrition, genetic syndromes (e.g., Turner syndrome).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable with appropriate diagnosis and treatment; untreated cases may lead to permanent short stature.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Psychological impact, reduced self-esteem, delayed puberty, or underlying complications of the primary cause.

Gigantism

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Excessive Growth Disorders

Symptoms:
abnormally rapid growth; excessively tall stature; enlarged hands and feet; facial changes; joint pain; delayed puberty; headaches

Root Cause:
Excessive secretion of growth hormone, usually due to a pituitary adenoma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Growth chart analysis, blood tests for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone, MRI of the brain to detect pituitary tumors.

Treatment:
Surgery to remove the pituitary adenoma, medication to suppress growth hormone (e.g., somatostatin analogs), or radiation therapy if surgery is not curative.

Medications:
Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide ), dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline ), and growth hormone receptor antagonists (e.g., pegvisomant ). These medications are hormone regulators.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare; affects fewer than 1 in 10,000,000 children.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of pituitary tumors or genetic syndromes like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated early; untreated cases can result in severe complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Diabetes, cardiomegaly, joint problems, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Hormonal Deficiencies

Symptoms:
slow growth velocity; height below the 3rd percentile; delayed bone age; increased fat deposition; poor muscle tone; delayed puberty

Root Cause:
Insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, often due to congenital abnormalities, trauma, tumors, or idiopathic causes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for IGF-1 and growth hormone levels, growth chart analysis, stimulation tests for growth hormone release, and MRI of the pituitary gland.

Treatment:
Daily subcutaneous injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH).

Medications:
Recombinant human growth hormone (e.g., somatropin ) is the primary treatment. It is classified as hormone replacement therapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1 in 4,000 to 1 in 10,000 children.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Birth trauma, genetic conditions (e.g., Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome), head injuries, or pituitary tumors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with early diagnosis and treatment; untreated cases may lead to permanent short stature and delayed puberty.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Delayed puberty, reduced bone density, metabolic abnormalities, and social or psychological issues related to short stature.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Developmental Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty with social interaction; delayed language development; repetitive behaviors; restricted interests; sensory sensitivities

Root Cause:
Neurological and developmental differences affecting communication, behavior, and social interaction. The exact cause is not known, but it involves genetic and environmental factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation by developmental specialists, developmental screenings, and the use of diagnostic tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Treatment:
Behavioral therapy (e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and educational interventions tailored to the child's needs.

Medications:
Medications may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety, antipsychotics like risperidone and aripiprazole for irritability, and stimulants for associated ADHD symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States, with variations worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of ASD, genetic mutations, advanced parental age, low birth weight, and exposure to certain environmental factors during pregnancy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Outcomes vary widely; with early intervention and tailored therapies, many individuals develop improved communication and social skills.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulties with independent living, increased risk of anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and intellectual disability.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Behavioral Disorders

Symptoms:
inattention; impulsivity; hyperactivity; difficulty concentrating; trouble organizing tasks; forgetfulness

Root Cause:
Neurodevelopmental disorder caused by differences in brain structure and function, often involving dysregulation of dopamine pathways.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on DSM-5 criteria, behavioral rating scales, and reports from parents, teachers, and caregivers.

Treatment:
Behavioral therapy, parent training programs, classroom interventions, and medications when needed.

Medications:
Stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate , amphetamines) and non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine , guanfacine , clonidine ). Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed and are classified as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 5-10% of children globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of ADHD, low birth weight, prenatal exposure to tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, and adverse early life experiences.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms often improve with age, but many individuals continue to experience challenges into adulthood. With treatment, most children can function well in school and daily life.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Poor academic performance, low self-esteem, increased risk of substance abuse, and difficulties in relationships.

Global developmental delay (GDD)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Developmental Delays

Symptoms:
delayed milestones in motor skills, speech, language, cognitive development, and social skills

Root Cause:
Various underlying causes, including genetic syndromes, prenatal exposures, brain injuries, and metabolic disorders.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive developmental assessment, neurological examination, genetic testing, metabolic testing, and imaging studies (e.g., MRI or CT scan).

Treatment:
Early intervention services, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and special education services.

Medications:
No specific medications for GDD itself, but underlying causes (e.g., seizures) may require anticonvulsants like levetiracetam or lamotrigine .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1-3% of children under age 5, varying by region and population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, genetic conditions, prenatal infections, lack of oxygen during birth, and environmental deprivation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies based on the cause and access to early interventions; some children catch up with their peers, while others may have long-term developmental disabilities.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and reduced ability to perform daily tasks independently.

Learning disabilities

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Growth and Development Disorders

Sub-category: Cognitive Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty with reading (dyslexia); difficulty with writing (dysgraphia); difficulty with math (dyscalculia); problems with memory or focus

Root Cause:
Differences in brain structure and function affecting information processing, often with a genetic or environmental basis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Psychoeducational assessments, cognitive testing, and observations of academic performance by specialists.

Treatment:
Individualized education plans (IEPs), educational therapy, tutoring, and accommodations such as extended test times or assistive technology.

Medications:
Medications are not typically prescribed for learning disabilities themselves but may address comorbid conditions like ADHD using stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate ) or non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 5-15% of school-aged children, depending on the definition and diagnostic criteria.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, premature birth, prenatal exposure to substances, and environmental deprivation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper support, most children can achieve academic success and lead fulfilling lives.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and difficulties with employment or independent living in adulthood.