Definition Trisomy 13, also called Patau’s syndrome, is a chromosomal condition associated with severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities in many parts of the body. Individuals with trisomy 13 often have heart defects, brain or spinal cord abnormalities, very small or poorly developed eyes (microphthalmia), extra fingers or toes, an …

Description Pneumoconiosis is a general term given to any lung disease caused by dust that is breathed in and then deposited deep in the lungs causing damage. Pneumoconiosis is usually considered an occupational lung disease because exposure to the dust that can cause pneumoconiosis often are found in the workplace. …

Definition Felty syndrome is a condition that includes rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen) and granulocytopenia (decreased level of the certain type of white blood cells). In Felty syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis is seropositive, which means that rheumatoid factor can be found in the blood. This syndrome is sometimes seen …

Definition Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions. It is a disease of poverty that leads to chronic ill-health. Infection is acquired when people come into contact with fresh water infested with the larval …

Definition An eye twitch is an involuntary spasm of the muscles in the eyelid. Blepharospasm is the medical term for eyelid twitching. Eyelid twitching usually occurs every few seconds and lasts for a few minutes. It may come and go over a period of days or weeks. Sometimes the twitching …

Introduction A birth defects are problems that occurs when a baby is developing in utero (in the womb). Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body (e.g., heart, brain, foot). They may affect how the body looks, works, or …

Definition Constipation is the infrequent and difficult passage of stool. The stool may be too hard, infrequent, small or difficult to expel. In some people, constipation is sudden and often a manifestation of another abdominal problem, such as a bowel obstruction. The incidence of constipation increases with age and is …

Definition Strabismus or squint also called crossed eyes, is a condition in which the eyes don’t look towards an object together. One of the eyes may look in or out, or turn up or down. The eye turning can occur all of the time or only sometimes, such as during …