Glossary

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Term Definition
Non-verbal learning disability

characterized by high verbal skills but experiences challenges with processing non-verbal information.

Nonne-Milroy’s disease or Milroy’s Disea

characterized by lymphedema, commonly in the legs, caused by congenital abnormalities in the lymphatic system.

Nuchal translucency

collection of fluid beneath the fetal skin in the region of the fetal neck and is present in all fetuses in early pregnancy.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

diagnosed anxiety disorder in which people have thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations, or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something.

Oppositional defiant disorder

pattern of disobedient, hostile, & defiant behaviors towards authority figures.

Oral medication

medication taken by mouth.

Oral motor therapy

directed at improving oral awareness, muscle strength, range of motion, and coordination.

Organ abscesses

pocket of fluid in kidney or other organ may or may not be an infection.

Orthotics

custom made mechanical device to correct a problem with body strength or structure.

Otoacoustic emissions

tiny sound reflected back out of the ear in response to a loud noise. Used for hearing diagnosis.

Over-pronated foot/feet

abnormal rotation of the ankle.

Overeating

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a BLL of 10 _g/dL or above is a cause for concern. However, lead can impair development even at BLLs below 10 _g/dL.

Panic attacks

uncontrolled fear reaction, usually accompanied by sweating, rapid heart rate and shortness of breath.

Panic disorder

repeated panic attacks to the point of disrupting normal life activities.

Paracentesis (Surgical drainage of abdom

removal of fluid from a body cavity using a needle, trocar, cannula, or other hollow instrument.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Ductus Arteriosus must close at birth as a new baby switches from mom's blood circulation to its own heart. "Patent" means "still open". PDA is a dangerous, but often repairable condition.

Pedal oedema

swollen feet

Peptic ulcers

hole in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, an ulcer of the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer, and a peptic ulcer of the esophagus is called an esophageal ulcer. A peptic ulcer occurs when the lining of these organs is corroded by the acidic digestive juices which are secreted by the stomach cells.

Pericardial effusions

condition that occurs when too much fluid within the pericardium, the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart. The pericardium normally contains a small amount of pale yellow fluid which acts as a lubricant, allowing the heart to move within the chest.

Persistent left superior vena cava

large vein formed by the union of the two brachiocephalic veins and the azygos vein that receives blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and chest, and empties into the right atrium of the heart. Also called precava.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

technical term for a combination of autism and reduced intellectual capacity.

pH monitoring

tracking of stomach acid, usually in the esophogus to evaluate reflux.

Phonological processing disorder

inability to pronounce certain combinations of letters when speaking words. People with a phonological processing disorder may have problems with certain letter combinations like "bl," "sp," or "tr."

Picture-exchange communication (PECS)

use of standardized symbols as a replacement for spoken or written language.

Pitting 

observable swelling of body tissues due to fluid accumulation. may be demonstrated by applying pressure to the swollen area (such as by depressing the skin with a finger). If the pressing causes an indentation that persists for some time after the release of the pressure, the edema is referred to as pitting edema.

Pleural effusions

excesive increase in pleural fluid between the two membranes that envelop the lungs. These membranes are called the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura wraps around the lung while the parietal pleura lines the inner chest wall. There is normally a small quantity (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) of fluid that is spread thinly over the visceral and parietal pleurae and acts as a lubricant between the two membranes.

Pleurodesis (Surgical intervention for p

procedure that causes the membranes around the lung to stick together and prevents the buildup of fluid in the space between the membranes. done in cases of severe recurrent pleural effusion.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

(PCV) protects against a type of bacteria that is a common cause of ear infections. This type of bacteria can also cause more serious illnesses, such as meningitis and bacteremia (infection in the blood stream). Infants and toddlers are given 4 doses of the vaccine. The vaccine may also be used in older children who are at risk for pneumococcal infection.

Polycystic kidney(s) (multiple cysts pre

genetic disorder characterized by the development of innumerable cysts in the kidneys which fill up with fluid and replace much of the mass of the kidneys. This reduces kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

Polycystic Kidneys

kidneys are enlarged due to the presence of multiple cysts

Positron emission tomography (PET)

system similar to x-rays and MRI, but uses a radioactive fluid or gas (injected or inhaled) to create the pictures.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

characterized by severe hypotonia (floppiness), poor suck and feeding problems in early infancy followed later in infancy by excessive eating that, if unchecked, leads gradually to huge obesity. All children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) show developmental delay and mild-to-moderate mental retardation with multiple learning disabilities. Hypogonadism is present in both females (with small labia minora and clitoris) and males (with underdeveloped scrotum and nondescent of the testes). Short stature and small hands and feet are common. It is due to absence of the paternally contributed region on chromosome 15q11-q13.

Precocious Puberty

unusually early development of secondary sexual features. The onset of sexual maturation in a girl before age 8 or a boy before age 9 is usually considered to be precocious puberty.

Primary Immunodeficiency

disorder caused by an inherited flaw in the immune system that increases the susceptibility to infections. different from secondary or acquired immune deficiency diseases, which are caused by infectious, chemical or radiological agents. AIDS is a prototype of an acquired immune deficiency disease.

Primary lymphedema

also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system.

Problems with umbilical cord

knotted, collapsed, wrapped around baby, or other complications

Prolonged EEG

overnight or 24 hrs EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a technique for studying the electrical current within the brain. Electrodes are attached to the scalp. Wires attach these electrodes to a machine which records the electrical impulses. The results are either printed out or displayed on a computer screen.

Prominent Ears

ears appear large or stick out from the head

Prominent Nasal Alae

flared nostrils

PROMPT

technique that uses tactile-kinesthetic articulatory cues (PROMPTs) on the jaw, face and under the chin, to develop or restructure speech production.

Ptosis

droopy upper eyelids so the eyes appear partially closed

Puberty 

The time in which sexual and physical characteristics mature.

Receptive language disorder

difficulty attending to, processing, comprehending, and/or retaining spoken language.

Receptive or Expressive Language Therapy

designed to help understand language (receptive), or produce language (expressive).

Recurrent pneumonia

condition associated with immune problems, aspiration of fluids into the lung from the esophagus or underlying lung disease that result in repeated inflammation of the lung causing pneumonia.

Recurrent Urinary Tract infections

infection anywhere along the urinary tract.

Resection surgery

surgical removal of part of an organ or a structure, or removal of the articular ends of one or both bones forming a joint.

Resting or intention tremor

A tremor which occurs when a limb is resting in a relaxed state, fully supported.

Routine Electroencephalogram (20 minute

A recording of electrical brain waves.

Rubella

also called the German measles. causes slight fever, a rash and swelling of the glands in the neck. can also cause brain swelling or a problem with bleeding.

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