Etiology of Specific Health Impairments The etiology of specific health impairments varies. Most result from infections, genetic factors, environmental influences, prenatal influences, perinatal influences, and postnatal influences. Back to...

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis Overview Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine,...

Osteogenesis Impefecta Definition Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause. There are at least four recognized forms of the disorder, representing...

Spina Bifida Table of Contents What is Spina Bifida? Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations What is Spina Bifida? Spina bifida (SB) is a neural tube defect (a disorder involving incomplete...

Table of Contents Introduction What is Cerebral Palsy? What Other Medical Disorders? What Causes Cerebral Palsy? What are the Risk Factors? What Are the Early Signs? How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed? How is Cerebral Palsy Managed? What Specific...

Muscular Dystrophy What is Muscular Dystrophy (MD)? The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles which control movement. There are many forms of...

Epidermolysis Bullosa The characteristic feature of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is blistering in the skin. Some forms of the disease may involve the gastrointestinal tract, the pulmonary system, muscle, or the bladder. Most forms are evident at...

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and...

Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases Acromegaly Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH). It most commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in serious illness and premature...

Congenital Heart Diseases Congenital heart diseases are abnormalities of the heart's structure and function caused by abnormal or disordered heart development before birth. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a broad term that can describe a...