Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics
in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net.
|
Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Kallman's Syndrome - A disorder in which a child is born with underdeveloped gonads, no secondary sexual characteristics and the lack of or impairment of the sense of smell.
Kangaroo Care - An effective technique in which the baby is placed skin-to-skin on their mother's or father's chest to promote growth and bonding. This technique is commonly used in premature infants that are not in critical condition. The infant continues to wear a diaper and occasionally a hat, to prevent heat loss. So that the baby can hear their parent’s heartbeat, it is important to turn their head on the parent's chest.
Kanner Syndrome - A mental illness that affects a person’s ability to communicate and form relationships with other people. Characteristic symptoms include extreme withdrawal, repetitive activities, impaired social interaction, communication difficulties and extreme reactions to change. The disorder usually is seen before age three.
Kartagener Syndrome - A rare inherited syndrome that occurs in 1 per 32,000 live births. Characteristic symptoms of the syndrome include chronic sinus infections, frequent lung infections, lung damage from frequent infections and frequent ear infections. The main distinguishing characteristic of the disorder is the fact that the internal organs are positioned on the opposite side of the body.
Karyotype - A picture of an individuals chromosomes that allows healthcare providers to determine if large abnormalities are present. A karyotype is created by staining the chromosomes with dye and photographing them through a microscope.
Kasabach Merritt Syndrome - A defect in which a hemangioma grows into a very large tumor. A hemangioma is a collection of blood vessels that is generally found on top of the skin and is discolored. Occasionally, the hemangioma will be located inside of the body. This type of hemangioma can be very dangerous if it is located on or near a vital organ. Common symptoms of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome include blood clotting complications and a large hemangioma which will be reddish or brownish in color. With this disorder, the hemangioma will grow very quickly and may become painful. There may be a low level of platelets in the blood, which can be dangerous as well. Treatment options include platelet transfusions and controlling the hemangioma. This can be done with medications or surgery, if the hemangioma is small enough.
Kegel Exercise - An exercise of the pelvic floor muscles that is used to strengthen the muscles which support the urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. Doing these simple exercises can prevent and help treat incontinence.
Kernicterus - A preventable form of brain damage caused by severe newborn jaundice, which leads to an accumulation of bile in the brain. Characterisitc symptoms include cerebral palsy, gaze and vision abnormalities, hearing impairing called auditory neueropathy and dental enamel hypoplasia.
Kerr Technique - An incision that is made horizontally across the abdomen and through the uterine muscles during a cesarean section, rather than vertically. This is the most common type of cesarean section incision.
Ketone - A substance that is formed when the body breaks down fat. Ketones in the urine lead to a condition known as ketonuiria, which can be very dangerous to a developing baby.
Ketonuria - The presence of ketone bodies in the urine, which include acetone, acetoacetic acid, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. During pregnancy, early detection of ketonuria is important because of the risks that are associated with intrauterine death of the fetus.
Klinefelter's Syndrome - A genetic growth disorder that occurs in about 1.7 per 1,000 male births. An extra X chromosome at the time of conception is the cause of the syndrome. Symptoms include larger than normal breasts, a lack of facial and body hair, a rounded body type, and small testicles. Reduced sperm proudction and fertility complications are common.
Klippel Feil Syndrome - A rare birth disorder that affects the cervical vertebrae. As the fetus is forming and developing during pregnancy, the vertebrae in the neck do not divide properly and will become fused together. Common signs of the disorder include a short neck, low hairline and decreased movement abilities in the upper spine. It is common for the child to experience scoliosis, spina bifida, kidney complications, cleft palate, breathing complications and heart abnormalities. Some patients will also experience head, face, muscle, reproductive, brain and skeletal abnormalities. The disorder can be diagnosed prenatally or after the birth of the baby. While there is no cure for Klippel-Feil syndrome, patients can find relief in physical therapy and surgery of the spinal cord and neck.
Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome - A rare birth defect that affects the blood and lymph vessels. Common symptoms of the disorder include cysts and swelling of the skin, dilated veins, abnormally fast growth of an extremity and flattened, colored marks that cover a large area on the affected extremity. These are known as capillary malformations and they do not go away. As the child grows, so will the marks. The affected extremity will generally be painful and have a heavy sensation. Because the affected extremity will grow at an increased rate, problems may arise due to the difference in size. Blood clots and skin infections are common and can present complications. Prenatal ultrasound can reveal the syndrome due to an enlarged limb. If the diagnosis is not made prenatally, it will be easily seen after the child is delivered.
Klumpke's Paralysis - Paralysis of the small muscles of the hand resulting from a traction injury to the lower portion of the brachial plexus in an infant. The condition is most commonly seen in newborn babies as a result of traction during childbirth.
Koplik's Spots - Small, irregular, red spots with a small bluish white speck in the center. The spots can be found seen on the inside of the cheek and tongue and often appear a few days before the rash of the measles infection appears.