Family health A-Z - S

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

A highly contagious infestation with a parasite that burrows under the skin. The resulting irritation causes very itchy skin, which frequently becomes worse at night. Scabies is treated with an anti-parasitic lotion which must stay on the skin for 24 hours.

A disease caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria causing a sore throat and headache, fever, vomiting, swollen neck glands and a heavily coated tongue, followed by a rash resembling severe sunburn. Treatment is by pencillin or other antibiotics.

Also known as: Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

A specialist care unit for newborns who are seriously ill or premature. Also known as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Also known as: Sickle cell disease

An inherited blood disorder affecting the red blood cells which, in people with the disease, contain an abnormal type of haemoglobin. Sometimes these cells become sickle-shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When this happens, blood flow is reduced to the tissue in that part of the body and the tissue eventually becomes damaged. There are several strains of sickle cell disease which mainly occurs in people of African origin. SCD is also seen in Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and parts of India.

A type of skin inflammation, caused by a yeast germ, which mainly affects the scalp and face. Many babies have a mild form of this condition within the first six months of life, but it usually clears without treatment by eight months of age.

A normal development stage in babies aged from around seven to nine months, during which time a baby will assume that the disappearance of his mother (or other close guardian), even if it is only for a few seconds, is permanent. This stage usually ends by around a baby’s first birthday

Also known as: Myopia

The medical term for short-sightedness, in which distant objects cannot be seen clearly.

An inherited blood disorder affecting the red blood cells which, in people with the disease, contain an abnormal type of haemoglobin. Sometimes these cells become sickle-shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When this happens, blood flow is reduced to the tissue in that part of the body and the tissue eventually becomes damaged. There are several strains of sickle cell disease which mainly occurs in people of African origin. SCD is also seen in Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and parts of India.

Also known as: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The sudden and unexpected death of an infant under the age of two, althouh most incidences occur in the first six months of life. Also known as ‘cot death’.

The use of sign language to communicate with non-speaking babies, either with home-devised or prescribed signs. Baby signing is thought to reduce the frustration of non-communication which commonly leads to tantrums. Classes are offered throughout the UK.

The term given to a baby’s first non-liquid foods – usually fruit or vegetable purées.

Another word for a baby’s dummy.

A specialist care unit for newborns who are seriously ill or premature. Also known as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

A congenital condition that involves an imperfectly closed spinal column, often resulting in neurological disorders.

Also known as: Lumbar puncture

Puncture made into a specific space in the lumbar region of the spine to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for analysis, or to inject anaesthetic drugs. Mainly performed to confirm the diagnosis of meningitis.

Also known as: Possetting

The term used when a baby brings back some of a milk feed. Sometimes referred to as ‘spitting up’.

Also called ‘strabismus’, a squint is an imbalance of the eye muscles, meaning that the eyes cannot focus simultaneously on an object. Glasses may be prescribed to correct a squint, or surgery recommended.

A speech disorder characterised by involuntary hesitations and repetitions of certain sounds.

Also known as: Moro reflex

The reflex response of a young baby to a sudden loud noise by stretching out the arms and flexing the legs. Named after German paediatrician Ernst Moro, this response is also known as the ‘startle reflex’.

A reflexive movement of the leg seen in newborn which, when the baby is held suspended over a flat surface, gives the appearance of ‘walking’. This reflex disappears at about two months of age.

A persistently watery eye, sometimes discharging a little pus, which affects around 25% of babies. Most often caused by a partially obstructed tear duct, the problem usually resolves itself in the first year of life. In a few cases, a minor surgical procedure may need to be performed, whereby a very fine probe is inserted into the opening of the duct to clear the obstruction.

Also known as: Squint

Also called ‘strabismus’, a squint is an imbalance of the eye muscles, meaning that the eyes cannot focus simultaneously on an object. Glasses may be prescribed to correct a squint, or surgery recommended.

A throat infection caused by group A streptococcal bacteria, which can also cause skin infections such as impetigo.

An infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid

The sudden and unexpected death of an infant under the age of two, althouh most incidences occur in the first six months of life. Also known as ‘cot death’.

Also known as: Heat stroke

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.

Local community centres, set up by the government, to offer a range of care and services to families, especially the under-privileged, including advice on find a job, finding a childminder, accessing education about parenting, seeking support and more.

The act of wrapping a baby’s limbs firmly inside a blanket to soothe him.