Back

All Search Results

  • Biliary Atresia

    Biliary atresia is a liver-related condition in infants. It causes the bile ducts (tubes located inside and outside the liver) to become blocked. These tubes carry bile (a fluid that helps digestion) into the intestine. When these ducts become blocked, bile builds up in the liver and causes damage. Over time, biliary atresia can lead to decreased liver function and cirrhosis (severe liver scarring).

  • Perianal Abscess or Fistula

    A perianal abscess – or anal abscess – is an anorectal disorder where an infected area located near the anus or rectum is filled with pus. Sometimes, a perianal fistula – or anal fistula – can result from an abscess. A fistula, or fistula-in-ano, is a small tract that runs from the anal canal to the skin surrounding the anus and can contribute to abscess formation.

  • Intestinal Atresia or Intestinal Web

    Intestinal atresia is a birth defect that results in a narrow, blocked or closed segment of intestine that may be separated from or still connected to the rest of the intestine. During normal development, nutrients flow through the digestive tract and are absorbed. Intestinal atresia prevents your baby from digesting food because the intestines lose their ability to absorb nutrients and push food through the digestive tract. In most cases, intestinal atresia involves the small intestine. However, it can affect any area of the digestive tract.

  • Gastroschisis

    Gastroschisis is a rare birth defect that occurs early in development, where the intestinal contents remain outside of the fetus’ body, leaving an unusual hole in the baby’s abdominal wall. The baby’s bowel (intestines), stomach and sometimes other organs, such as their liver, develop outside of the body. As the baby grows in their mother, the bowel can become irritated, damaged or swollen. If your baby has this condition, they will need surgery very soon after birth to repair it. Most babies born with gastroschisis do not have any other health conditions.

  • Imperforate Anus

    Imperforate anus is a congenital (present at birth) anorectal disorder that prevents a child from having normal bowel movements. Also known as anorectal malformation, this condition causes the opening of the anus to be too small, located in an unusual location or missing.

  • Meconium Ileus

    Meconium is the sticky, tar-like material that newborns pass as their first bowel movement. Healthy babies pass meconium within their first day of life. Babies with meconium ileus have meconium that is even stickier and thicker than usual. This can cause bowel blockage. Most babies born with meconium ileus also have cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and pancreas.

  • Care at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

    When your family chooses to receive care at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, you have access to award-winning children’s care in more than 30 pediatric specialties. In addition, you have the advantage of The Bert Martin’s Champions for Children Emergency Department and Trauma Center, which is the area’s only Level One ED and Trauma Center.

  • My Baby’s Crying Again — What Does It Mean?

    For new parents, figuring out the cause of a baby’s cries can be a daunting challenge, especially since one sob can sound quite different from the next. Still, this is hardly an impossible task. You just need to keep in mind that babies don’t cry only because they’re hungry. Each of these outbursts offers an opportunity to learn more about your child’s needs.

  • The End of Hugs and Handshakes?

    As the new school year approaches, it’s important to discuss with your child about the upcoming changes that will be in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Limiting person-to-person contact is key to reducing spread of the virus. Yet healthy socialization and development still must be fostered among school-age children. How to keep young ones from touching surfaces and not their face is a difficult task, indeed — which is why hugs and handshakes will be discouraged for now. To ensure that social connections and well-being are maintained, other types of behaviors will be encouraged instead. 

  • Alcohol and pregnancy: not a good mix

    About three years ago this month, my husband and I were getting ready for our first “mommy and daddy” trip since our son was born. Our son was about 15 months old at the time, and he would be staying with grandparents as we explored Napa Valley, California. During that week, as we were scheduling tours of vineyards and making restaurant reservations, I was feeling a little “funny.” And I had only felt that way once before!