Pediatrics Conditions

Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a group of diseases affecting the muscles that occur at birth or during infancy. CMD is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, severe joint stiffness (contractures) and delays in achieving motor milestones such as unassisted sitting or standing. Some forms of CMD may be associated with structural brain defects and mental retardation.

Septic arthritis also called as infectious arthritis, is characterized by joint inflammation due to a bacterial or fungal infection that usually affects the large joints of the body such as knee or hip. Normally, fluid lubricating a joint, called synovial fluid, is aseptic in nature. But with septic arthritis, microbes can grow in the affected joint fluid and make the condition worse.

Back pain is uncommon in children and is usually associated with a serious underlying condition or an injury. Often the cause of back pain is nonspecific and is thought to be due to musculoskeletal strain, poor posture, heavy school bags that are not worn correctly or underlying mood problems.

Growth plates are areas of soft, cartilaginous tissues present at the end of long bones in growing children. These cartilage tissues or soft bones later harden to become solid bones in adulthood once growing has completed. A fracture of these bones is termed a growth plate fracture. This type of fracture is most often caused by a fall or severe blow to the limb during sports activities such as football, basketball, and gymnastics or from vehicular accidents.

Rickets is a bone condition caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus in the body, which are all vital components of healthy bones. This condition is characterized by weak bones and bone deformities. Rickets may be inherited, or develop when the body does not get enough vitamin D or is unable to effectively process the available vitamin D. Children with a poor diet and low calcium intake, lactose intolerance, lack of exposure to sunlight or dark skin are at a higher risk of developing rickets. Babies feeding exclusively on breast milk for a long time are also highly susceptible to rickets as breast milk contains very low amounts of vitamin D.

Acute pediatric injuries are injuries in children caused by severe trauma. These injuries happen suddenly and range from severe bruises to bumps to broken bones.