Alphabetic Guide to Child Care

T he following Guide is an alphabetically arranged list of articles dealing with many of the problems that confront parents. It includes articles on physical disorders and ailments of childhood; behavioral and emotional problems; and on situations that occur normally in the life of almost every child which may cause tension or distress for parents, child, or both. It is hoped that having information about such normal developmental tensions will help to minimize them.

A note on the cross-references: Where a particular subject is covered elsewhere within this Guide, the reference is printed in small capital letters. (For example: See also TONSILLITIS .) References to sections in other chapters are printed in italic type along with the chapter number. (For example: See “Tonsils and Adenoids” in Ch. 20, Surgery . )

Adenoidectomy

See “Tonsils and Adenoids” in Ch. 20, Surgery .

Allergies

See NUTRITION, and Ch. 24, Allergies and Hypersensitivities .

Animal Bites

See “Animal Bites” in Ch. 35, Medical Emergencies .

Autism

See under MENTAL ILLNESS .

Bedtime

From babyhood on, the routine of bedtime should be as relaxed as possible for both parent and child. Keeping things peaceful at bedtime doesn't mean giving in to the child's pressures or whims, but involves keeping one's voice calm, pleasant, and firm. Adjustments in the bedtime hour can be made from time to time if you decide that the occasion calls for it.

Behavior Problems

See AGGRESSIVENESS, ANGER, DELINQUENCY, DESTRUCTIVENESS, DISHONESTY, DISOBEDIENCE .

Birthmarks

See “Pigment Disorders and Birthmarks” in Ch. 21, Skin and Hair .

Biting

Some children learn that their strongest weapon when angry is their teeth. They may bite siblings, friends, and occasionally parents. Because of the enormous risk of infection from the bite, and because it can inflict extreme pain to the person bitten, biting should be strongly discouraged by any child.

Blindness

See DISABLED CHILD .

Booster Shots

See IMMUNIZATION .

Burns

See “Burns” in Ch. 35, Medical Emergencies .

Cheating

See DISHONESTY .

Competitiveness

See AGGRESSIVENESS .

Conscience

See GUILT AND CONSCIENCE .

Cradle Cap

This condition is marked by yellowish crusts on the baby's scalp. It is usually harmless, and can be taken care of by regular shampooing. Occasionally, a special soap as well as a very fine comb may be helpful.

Crib Death

See SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME .

Daydreaming

See FANTASIES .

Developmental Disability

Any disability that interferes with a child's normal development is a developmental disability . The term has been used more specifically, however, to refer to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

Diaper Rash

See RASHES .

Discrimination

See PREJUDICE .

Divorced Parents

See “Separation and Divorce” in Ch. 5, The Middle Years .

Eczema

See under RASHES .

Education

See SCHOOL .

Eyeglasses

Now that infants and youngsters have periodic eye checkups with their physicians, and regular tests are given to all students, more children are wearing glasses than in former years. In addition to strabismus (crossed eyes), the three major eye problems encountered in children are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism .

Frostbite

See Ch. 35, Medical Emergencies .

Heart Disease

See RHEUMATIC FEVER . See also “Congenital Heart Disease” in Ch. 10, Heart Disease .

Hostility

See ANGER .

Influenza

See “The Common Cold, Influenza, and Other Viral Infections” in Ch. 12, Diseases of the Respiratory System .

Jealousy

See BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NEW BABY .

Kidney Diseases

For a discussion of kidney diseases, see Ch. 17, Diseases of the Urinogen-ital System , and Ch. 18, Cancer .

Learning

See CURIOSITY, INTELLIGENCE AND IQ, READING, SCHOOL .

Leukemia

See CANCER .

Lying

See DISHONESTY .

Multiple Births

See TWINS AND TRIPLETS .

Muscular Dystrophy

See Ch. 8, Diseases of the Muscles and Nervous System .

Nightmares

See DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES .

Night Terrors

See DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES .

Pills

See MEDICATION .

Pinworms or Threadworms

See Ch. 11, Diseases of the Digestive System .

Play

See FANTASIES, TOYS, SAFETY .

Pneumonia

See “Pneumonia” in Ch. 12, Diseases of the Respiratory System .

Puberty

See Ch. 3, The Teens .

Retardation

See MENTAL RETARDATION .

Roseola Infantum

See under RASHES .

Safety

See “Accident Prevention” in Ch. 36, Voluntary Health Agencies .

Schizophrenia

See under MENTAL ILLNESS .

Sibling Rivalry

See BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NEW BABY.

Sickle-cell Anemia

See Ch. 9, Diseases of the Circulatory System .

Sisters and Brothers

See BROTHERS AND SISTERS .

Sleep

See BEDTIME, DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES, SLEEPWALKING.

Smallpox

Smallpox has been eradicated everywhere in the world. Vaccination against smallpox has therefore been discontinued in the United States.

Stealing

See DISHONESTY .

Stepchildren

See Ch. 5, The Middle Years . See also ADOPTED CHILDREN .

Strabismus

See CROSSED EYES .

Tantrums

See ANGER .

Tick Fever

See “Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever” under RASHES .

Tonsillectomy

See “Tonsils and Adenoids” in Ch. 20, Surgery .

Tuberculosis

See Ch. 12, Diseases of the Respiratory System .

Vomiting

See NAUSEA AND VOMITING .

Warts

See Ch. 21, Skin and Hair .

Worms and Parasites

See Ch. 11, Diseases of the Digestive System .