Family health A-Z - H

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A protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues.

A blood deficiency caused by a Rhesus negative mother’s antibodies passing into her Rhesus positive baby’s blood and attacking the red blood cells. Severity can vary from undetectably mild to fatal.

A congenital condition of uncontrolled bleeding which is almost exclusive to males and is transmitted from mother to son during pregnancy

The ability to judge the proximity of an object and pick it up, which is learned gradually during the first six months of life.

An allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollens, which affects the upper nose, sinus, throat and eyes

An allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollens, which affects the upper nose, sinus, throat and eyes.

A hormone released specifically in response to conception. It is the presence of hCG that produces a positive result in a pregnancy test.

A tendency in some babies and children to bang their heads repeatedly against a hard surface. If the habit persists even when the surface is padded, it is probably part of a self-soothing ritual, and it is the rhythm that is comforting; if, however, a baby persists in head banging against an unpadded, hard surface, causing himself pain or injury, unhappiness or other disturbance could be the root cause, and a child health or behaviour expert should be consulted.

Minute, grey-brown, wingless insects which live on blood sucked from the scalp of humans. Their eggs, which look like tiny white specks similar to scurf, are known as nits and they are laid close to the scalp all along the hairline, and stuck fast with a sticky substance produced by the lice. The medical term for an infestation of head lice -particularly prevalent in schoolchildren - is ‘pediculosis’.

An abnormal heart rhythm, which is common in newborns, and usually benign

Also known as: Hole in the heart

A congenital heart defect where there is an opening in the internal wall of the heart or a defect between two chambers. Holes in the heart can be as small as a pinhead or substantially larger, and there are several different types. Sometimes a hole will close spontaneously as the child grows, but some defects may require drug treatment and/or surgery.

Benign chest pain or discomfort, usually after eating or on lying down.

A condition which occurs when the body cannot lose heat fast enough and may accompany dehydration. If not treated promptly, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which is much more serious. Heat exhaustion is characterised by fatigue, nausea, dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, headache and confusion.

Also known as: Prickly heat

Medically known as ‘miliaria’, prickly heat can occur in response to excessive sweating in hot or humid weather. Dead skin cells and bacteria block the sweat glands so that the skinbecomes inflamed with a spotty rash which may go on to blister.

A dangerous condition which can result from exposure to excessive heat. Body temperature rises sharply, causing hyperthermia (a body temperature greatly above normal) and dehydration. Symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion except the skin may be very flushed and the child may suffer from convulsions and hallucinations. Emergency medical treatment is required.

As seen on your medical notes, this means the height in centimetres of the top of your uterus when measured from your pelvis. Can act as a guide to your baby’s growth rate.

A viral infection leading to inflamation of the liver. Although it’s more common in countries where sanitation and sewage disposal can be poor, it can occur in the UK, mostly affecting children and young adults. There may be nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain or diarrhoea, but in some cases there are no symptoms. Hepatitis A usually resolves without treatment over a period of months.

Hernia

The most common type of hernia, also known as an umbilical hernia, affecting mostly male babies and adults. (Ninety-eight per cent of inguinal hernias occur in males.) Occurring in the groin, an inguinal hernia is caused by a loop of bowel pushing through a weakness in the inguinal canal - the triangular opening between layers of abdominal muscle near the groin. Can be corrected by a simple surgical procedure.

Also known as: Cold sore

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which also causes genital herpes. The strain that causes cold sores around the mouth and nose is called Type 1 (or HSV-1). Herpes simplex infections are highly contagious and may be treated with an antiviral preparation such acyclovir.

Also known as ‘nettle rash’ or by the medical term ‘urticaria’, hives is a red, lumpy, itchy rash (similar to that caused stinging nettles), and is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods - or sometimes by a viral infection.

A congenital heart defect where there is an opening in the internal wall of the heart or a defect between two chambers. Holes in the heart can be as small as a pinhead or substantially larger, and there are several different types. Sometimes a hole will close spontaneously as the child grows, but some defects may require drug treatment and/or surgery.

Produced by the endocrine glands, hormones act as chemical messengers from one cell - or group of cells - to another, triggering physiological reactions.

An accumulation of excess amniotic fluid.

Sometimes referred to as ‘water on the brain’, hydrocephalus is a usually congenital condition where an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain. Treatment is by surgery - although, depending on the severity, some of the effects of hydrocephalus may not be reversible.

Also known as: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a neurobehavioural disorder characterised by chronic inattention and/or hyperactivity and/or over-impulsive behaviour, and resulting in significant impairment to normal social functioning. There are three main types, manifesting different degrees of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

A very rare but severe form of pregnancy sickness which requires hospital treatment.

Raised blood glucose levels

The medical term for long-sightedness, which affects the ability to see close-up objects.

Raised blood pressure

Low blood glucose levels.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F). Babies can very quickly become hypothermic, the symptoms including being unusually quiet and refusing to feed – although these will follow having been exposed to cold. Medical help should be sought. Meanwhile, action can be taken to warm the infant by degrees, including close cuddling and gradually adding layers of clothes or blankets.