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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).

Abdominal Masses

An abdominal mass is an unusual growth in your child’s abdomen. The growth might be in the stomach, intestines, solid organs or another area of the belly. While many abdominal masses are non-cancerous (benign), some may be cancerous.

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.

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.

Disney Team of Heroes

Should I worry about my child’s stuttering?

We both remember the days when our daughters were so excited and had so much to say all at once that their mouths couldn’t keep up with the thoughts soaring through their little minds. We recall how they would get stuck on words or phrases such as, “and then, and then, and then.”

Get to know Dr. Eslin and Dr. Amy Smith, pediatric oncologists at Arnold Palmer Hospital

Cancer tries to take the joy of childhood away. No one is better at fighting childhood cancer than our specialists at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Orange TV recently aired a 30-minute show all about childhood cancer. The show featured Arnold Palmer Hospital cancer specialists Dr. Don Eslin and Dr. Amy Smith, along with Whitney Goldstein, a young cancer survivor treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Get to know our pediatric oncologists and learn more about childhood cancer, here:

Video source: Healthy Connections - Childhood Cancers

Leading by example

The other day I had lunch with a friend at one of our favorite mom-and-pop sandwich shops. Well, sort of. We did have lunch, but I only remember this lunch date in flashes of chaos and confusion created by two lively toddlers.

Katie Karp is a cancer survivor.

Katie Karp remembers the day when she was diagnosed with cancer very well. The diagnosis of osteosarcoma in her left leg was unexpected and quite a blow, but Katie was not going to let cancer win. She's a fighter. Through dozens of chemotherapy treatments and surgery that resulted in 11" of her thigh bone being removed, Katie persevered. Watch her amazing story and how she's used her experience with cancer to help children currently going through their own battle.

Chloe's Wedding Day: A Little Girl Who Was Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor on Christmas Eve

Dr. Alex Levy, pediatric oncologist/hematologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital, shares the heart-warming story of a family who learned their 4-year old daughter had a brain tumor on Christmas Eve. This is Chloe's story: