Hemoptysis Suzanne E. Beck INTRODUCTION Hemoptysis is the expectoration or coughing up of blood from the respiratory tract. Bleeding from the respiratory tract can range from blood-streaked sputum to coughing…

Hemolysis Kim Smith-Whitley INTRODUCTION Hemolysis is increased red blood cell (RBC) destruction with compensatory increased RBC production. The patient with hemolysis usually presents with symptoms of anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. However,…

Hematuria Rebecca Ruebner Madhura Pradhan INTRODUCTION Hematuria, the medical term for the presence of blood in the urine, is a common pediatric problem. Gross hematuria is the visible presence of…

Headache Nicholas S. Abend Donald Younkin INTRODUCTION Headaches are common in children and adolescents. The incidence increases from early childhood to adolescence. Headaches may be classified as primary or secondary…

Head Trauma Oluwakemi B. Badaki-Makun Joel A. Fein INTRODUCTION Head injury in children accounts for up to 650,000 emergency department visits, 95,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths per year. It is…

Goiter Craig A. Alter Wilma C. Rossi Andrew J. Bauer INTRODUCTION Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) arises under a variety of clinical circumstances. Morbidity from an enlarged thyroid ranges…

Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Upper Sara Karjoo Chris A. Liacouras INTRODUCTION The presence of hematemesis usually suggests that the site of bleeding is proximal to the ligament of Treitz. Common sites of…

Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Lower Sara Karjoo Chris A. Liacouras INTRODUCTION The presence of blood in the gastrointestinal tract is always abnormal. Blood in the stool can occur in several forms: hematochezia…

Electrolyte Disturbances Christopher J. LaRosa DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS LIST* Sodium imbalance Potassium imbalance Calcium imbalance Magnesium imbalance Phosphate imbalance Metabolic acidosis Metabolic alkalosis *Normal pediatric laboratory parameters vary according to age…

Fever Fran Balamuth Elizabeth R. Alpern INTRODUCTION Fever is the abnormal elevation of body temperature. It is a nonspecific sign of disease. The significance of fever lies in its indication…