Condition Lookup

Diaper rash

Specialty: Pediatrics

Symptoms:
redness and inflammation in the diaper area; tender skin; itching or discomfort; scaly or bumpy patches; blistering or open sores in severe cases

Root Cause:
Prolonged exposure to wet or soiled diapers, friction, or irritation from diaper materials or wipes. May also involve fungal (Candida) or bacterial infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on physical examination of the affected area and a review of the child’s symptoms and diapering habits.

Treatment:
Frequent diaper changes, use of barrier creams (e.g., zinc oxide or petroleum jelly), air-drying the area, and avoiding irritants. Antifungal or antibiotic creams may be prescribed for infections.

Medications:
Barrier creams (e.g., zinc oxide or petroleum jelly); antifungal creams (e.g., clotrimazole , miconazole ) for fungal infections; mild corticosteroid creams (e.g., hydrocortisone ) for inflammation in severe cases. Antibiotics (e.g., mupirocin ) may be prescribed for bacterial infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common, particularly in infants and toddlers wearing diapers; affects up to 25% of infants at some point.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged diaper use, infrequent diaper changes, sensitive skin, diarrhea, antibiotic use (affecting normal skin flora), or recent introduction of new foods.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper care; symptoms usually resolve within a few days of treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial or fungal infections if left untreated.

Molluscum contagiosum

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Skin Conditions

Symptoms:
small, firm, raised bumps on the skin; bumps with a central dimple; itching or redness around the bumps; possible inflammation or infection in scratched lesions

Root Cause:
Caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (a poxvirus) spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, contaminated objects, or water (e.g., swimming pools).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on the characteristic appearance of the lesions during a physical examination; biopsy may be performed in atypical cases.

Treatment:
Often self-limiting, resolving without treatment within 6-12 months. Physical removal (cryotherapy, curettage) or topical treatments (e.g., salicylic acid, tretinoin) may speed up resolution.

Medications:
Topical agents such as salicylic acid, potassium hydroxide, or tretinoin for lesion removal; antiviral creams like imiquimod or cidofovir in rare severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in children under 10 years; more prevalent in tropical climates or crowded settings.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close physical contact, shared towels or toys, atopic dermatitis, or swimming in pools.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally resolves spontaneously without scarring, though treatment may help in persistent cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infection if lesions are scratched or irritated; scarring may occur after removal or healing.

Erythema multiforme

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Skin Conditions

Symptoms:
target-like red lesions with central clearing; rash often on hands, feet, or face; itching or burning; possible fever or fatigue in severe cases

Root Cause:
Hypersensitivity reaction, often triggered by infections (e.g., herpes simplex virus) or medications.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical presentation of target lesions; history of recent infections or medications; biopsy in uncertain cases.

Treatment:
Identifying and addressing the underlying cause (e.g., antiviral therapy for herpes); symptomatic relief with antihistamines or corticosteroids. Severe cases may require hospitalization for supportive care.

Medications:
Antiviral medications (e.g., acyclovir ) if herpes-related; corticosteroids (oral or topical) to reduce inflammation; antihistamines for itching. Severe cases may require immunosuppressive therapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; more common in children and young adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent herpes simplex virus infection, other viral infections (e.g., Mycoplasma pneumoniae), or use of medications like sulfa drugs, NSAIDs, or anticonvulsants.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually resolves within 2-4 weeks; recurrences are common if the underlying trigger is not addressed.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to severe forms like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis; secondary skin infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Renal and Urologic Disorders

Symptoms:
pain or burning during urination; frequent urination; urgent need to urinate; cloudy or foul-smelling urine; fever; abdominal pain; bedwetting in children; irritability in infants

Root Cause:
Caused by bacterial infections, most commonly Escherichia coli, entering the urinary tract and proliferating.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through a urinalysis (checking for white blood cells, nitrites, or bacteria in urine) and urine culture to identify the causative organism.

Treatment:
Antibiotics are prescribed based on the sensitivity of the causative bacteria. Increased fluid intake and pain relievers may be recommended.

Medications:
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalexin (cephalosporins), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sulfonamide class) are commonly prescribed. In more severe cases, intravenous antibiotics like ceftriaxone (third-generation cephalosporin) may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 3–5% of children annually; more common in girls than boys after the neonatal period.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female anatomy, improper wiping, constipation, urinary stasis, previous UTI, and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely treatment; most children recover completely without complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If untreated, can lead to kidney infection (pyelonephritis), sepsis, or long-term kidney damage such as scarring.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Renal and Urologic Disorders

Symptoms:
recurrent utis; bedwetting; abdominal or flank pain; fever; foul-smelling or cloudy urine

Root Cause:
A condition where urine flows backward from the bladder to the ureters and kidneys due to an abnormality in the valve mechanism.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and renal ultrasound to evaluate the urinary system and reflux severity.

Treatment:
Treatment may involve prophylactic antibiotics, bladder training, and in severe cases, surgical correction such as ureteral reimplantation.

Medications:
Long-term, low-dose antibiotics (e.g., trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin ) may be prescribed to prevent UTIs.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1–2% of children, more common in girls and those with a family history of VUR.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, recurrent UTIs, or congenital abnormalities in the urinary tract.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most mild cases resolve as the child grows, but severe cases may require surgery to prevent kidney damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent UTIs, kidney infections, and long-term kidney damage such as scarring or hypertension.

Nephrotic syndrome

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Renal and Urologic Disorders

Symptoms:
swelling (edema) in the face, abdomen, or legs; foamy urine; weight gain; fatigue; loss of appetite

Root Cause:
Damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys leads to excessive protein loss in the urine, causing low blood protein levels and fluid retention.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through urinalysis (showing proteinuria), blood tests (low albumin, elevated cholesterol), and kidney biopsy in some cases.

Treatment:
Includes corticosteroids to reduce protein loss, diuretics to control swelling, dietary changes (low sodium), and sometimes immunosuppressive drugs.

Medications:
Prednisone (corticosteroid) is the first-line treatment. Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) and ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril ) may also be used to manage symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence of approximately 2–7 per 100,000 children, most common between ages 2–6 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Male gender, infections, allergies, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases respond well to steroids, though some may experience relapses. Prognosis depends on the underlying cause.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of infections, blood clots, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease in severe or untreated cases.

Wilms’ tumor

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Renal and Urologic Disorders

Symptoms:
abdominal swelling or mass; abdominal pain; fever; blood in the urine (hematuria); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; high blood pressure

Root Cause:
A rare kidney cancer arising from embryonic kidney cells, often associated with genetic mutations or syndromes like WAGR syndrome or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using imaging (abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI), blood tests, urinalysis, and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment:
Treatment includes surgery to remove the tumor (nephrectomy), followed by chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine , dactinomycin , and doxorubicin are commonly used in combination.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 10,000 children, typically diagnosed between ages 3–4 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of Wilms’ tumor, genetic syndromes (e.g., Beckwith-Wiedemann), and congenital anomalies like aniridia.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis is excellent with early diagnosis and treatment; 5-year survival rates exceed 90%.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential for metastasis (to lungs or liver), chronic kidney disease post-treatment, and complications from chemotherapy or radiation.

Clubfoot

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Orthopedic Disorders

Symptoms:
foot turned inward or downward; tight achilles tendon; calf muscle underdevelopment; difficulty wearing regular shoes or walking normally

Root Cause:
Congenital deformity of the foot where tendons and ligaments are shortened, causing abnormal alignment and positioning.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination at birth; prenatal diagnosis through ultrasound may identify severe cases.

Treatment:
The Ponseti method (manipulation and casting), Achilles tenotomy, and bracing; severe cases may require surgical correction.

Medications:
Post-treatment pain may be managed with acetaminophen (analgesic) or ibuprofen (NSAID).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 1,000 live births worldwide; more common in males.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, maternal smoking during pregnancy, certain genetic syndromes, oligohydramnios.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent prognosis with early treatment; untreated cases can lead to lifelong disability and impaired mobility.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent deformity, residual stiffness, skin irritation or pressure sores from braces or casts.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Orthopedic Disorders

Symptoms:
pain and swelling below the kneecap; tenderness over the tibial tuberosity; worsened pain during activity (e.g., running, jumping); tightness in surrounding muscles, especially quadriceps and hamstrings

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the patellar tendon where it attaches to the tibial tuberosity, often caused by repetitive stress during growth spurts.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history and physical exam; X-rays may show bony changes in the tibial tuberosity.

Treatment:
Rest, icing, physical therapy, stretching exercises, and activity modification; in severe cases, immobilization or surgical intervention.

Medications:
Pain can be managed with acetaminophen (analgesic) or ibuprofen (NSAID).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in adolescents aged 10-15 years, especially those involved in sports; affects about 10-20% of active adolescents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Rapid growth during puberty, repetitive stress from sports, tight quadriceps or hamstrings, male gender.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Self-limiting condition that resolves with skeletal maturity; symptoms typically improve within 6-18 months.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, persistent swelling, or bony prominence at the tibial tuberosity; rare cases may require surgical intervention.

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Miscellaneous Conditions

Sub-category: Eye and Vision Disorders

Symptoms:
misalignment of the eyes; double vision; head tilting; difficulty focusing; loss of depth perception

Root Cause:
Strabismus is caused by an imbalance in the muscles controlling eye movement, improper nerve signals, or conditions affecting the brain's ability to coordinate the eyes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive eye exam, cover-uncover test, corneal light reflex test, and evaluation of binocular vision. Neurological assessments may also be conducted if underlying neurological issues are suspected.

Treatment:
Includes prescription glasses, prism lenses, vision therapy, eye muscle surgery to correct alignment, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections in some cases.

Medications:
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox), a neuromuscular blocking agent, can temporarily weaken overactive eye muscles to improve alignment.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 2-4% of children and can also occur in adults due to trauma or other medical conditions.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of strabismus, premature birth, low birth weight, neurological disorders, uncorrected refractive errors, or eye injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early treatment, eye alignment can be improved, and normal binocular vision may develop. Untreated cases can lead to amblyopia and long-term visual deficits.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Amblyopia, permanent misalignment, double vision, and psychosocial challenges due to appearance-related concerns.