Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.

The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (commonly abbreviated as PDDNOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met.

It has long been presumed that there is a common cause at the genetic, cognitive, and neural levels for autism's characteristic triad of symptoms. However, there is increasing suspicion that autism is instead a complex disorder whose core aspects have distinct causes that often co-occur

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that has the following three defining core features:
1. Problems with social interactions

2. Impaired verbal and nonverbal communication

3. A pattern of repetitive behavior with narrow, restricted interests

Behavioral assessments. Various guidelines and questionnaires are used to help a doctor determine the specific type of developmental delay a child has. These include Medical history. During the medical history interview, a doctor asks general questions about a child's development, such as whether a child shows parents things by pointing to objects. Young children with autism often point to items they want, but do not point to show parents an item and then check to see if parents are looking at the item being pointed out. Diagnostic guidelines for autism. The American Association of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has established guidelines for diagnosing autism. The criteria are designed so a doctor can assess a child's behavior relating to core symptoms of autism. Other behavioral questionnaires. Additional diagnostic tests focus on children younger than age 3. Clinical observations. A doctor may want to observe the developmentally delayed child in different situations. The parents may be asked to interpret whether certain behaviors are usual for the child in those circumstances. Developmental and intelligence tests. The AACAP also recommends that tests be given to evaluate whether a child's developmental delays affect his or her ability to think and make decisions. Physical assessments and laboratory tests. Other tests may be used to determine whether a physical problem may be causing symptoms. These tests include: Physical exam, including head circumference, weight, and height measurements, to determine whether the child has a normal growth pattern. Hearing tests, to determine whether hearing problems may be causing developmental delays, especially those related to social skills and language use. Testing for lead poisoning, especially if a condition called pica (in which a person craves substances that are not food, such as dirt or flecks of old paint) is present. Children with developmental delays usually continue putting items in their mouth after this stage has passed in normally developing children. This practice can result in lead poisoning, which should be identified and treated as soon as possible.

There is no cure for autism; however, with appropriate treatment and education, many children with the disorder can learn and develop. Ealy intervention often can reduce challenges associated with the disorder, lessen disruptive behavior, and provide some degree of independence.
Treatment depends on the individual needs of the patient. In most cases, a combination of treatment methods is more effective. Autism usually requires lifelong treatment. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are sometimes used to treat autism. Occupational therapyhelps improve independent function and teaches basic skills (e.g., buttoning a shirt, bathing). Physical therapy involves using exercise and other physical measures (e.g., massage, heat) to help patients control body movements.

Top Autism Therapies These fact sheets include a review of the scientific evidence supporting the use of each particular therapy as well as a list of resources you can turn to should you choose to implement the therapy. The twelve most popular therapies, which include comprehensive fact sheets, are: Speech and language therapy (used by 70% of parents)

Visual schedules (used by 43.2% of parents)

Sensory integration therapy (used by 38.2% of parents) Applied behavior analysis therapy - ABA (used by 36.4% of parents) Social story therapy (used by 36.1% of parents) Vitamin C (used by 30.8% of parents) Vitamin B6 and magnesium (used by approximately 30% of parents) Essential fatty acids (used by 28.7% of parents) Picture exchange communication system - PECS (used by 27.6% of children) Casein-free diet (used by 26.8% of parents) Gluten-free diet (used by 23.1% of parents) Vitamin A (used by 22.0% of parents)

Otitis media (Latin) is inflammation of the middle ear, or a middle ear infection. It occurs in the area between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear, including a duct known as the eustachian tube. It is one of the two most common causes of an earache - the other being otitis externa. Diseases other than ear infections can also cause ear pain, including cancers of any structure that shares nerve supply with the ear and shingles which can lead to herpes zoster oticus. Though painful, otitis media is not threatening and usually heals on its own within 26 weeks.

Otitis media is most commonly caused by infection with viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens. The most common bacterial pathogen is Streptococcus pneumoniae.[2] Others includePseudomonas aeruginosa, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Among older adolescents and young adults, the most common cause of ear infections is Haemophilus influenzae. Viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and those that cause the common cold may also result in otitis media by damaging the normal defenses of the epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract.

When the middle ear becomes acutely infected, pressure builds up behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane), frequently causing intense pain. It may result in bullous myringitis (myring means "eardrum"), which means that the tympanic membrane is blistered andinflamed.[1]
In severe or untreated cases, the tympanic membrane may rupture, allowing the pus in the middle ear space to drain into the ear canal. If there is enough of it, this drainage may be obvious. Even though the rupture of the tympanic membrane suggests a highly painful and traumatic process, it is almost always associated with the dramatic relief of pressure and pain. In a simple case of acute otitis media in an otherwise healthy person, the body's defenses are likely to resolve the infection and the ear drum nearly always heals.

Middle ear infections are usually diagnosed using a health history, a physical exam, and an ear exam. With a middle ear infection, the eardrum, when seen through a pneumatic otoscope, is red or yellow and bulging. In the case of fluid buildup without infection (otitis media with effusion), the eardrum can look like it's bulging or sucking in. In both cases, the eardrum doesn't move freely when the pneumatic otoscope pushes air into the ear. Other tests can include: Tympanometry, which tests the movement of the eardrum. The tip of a handheld tool is placed just inside the ear. It changes the air pressure inside the ear. Then, the tool measures how the eardrum responds. Hearing tests. A hearing test is recommended for children who have had fluid in one or both ears (otitis media with effusion) for a total of 3 months. Hearing tests may be done sooner if hearing loss is suspected. Tympanocentesis. When fluid stays behind the eardrum (chronic otitis media with effusion) or infection continues even withantibiotics, tympanocentesis can remove the fluid. The doctor uses a needle to pierce the eardrum and suck out the fluid. A sample is usually tested for culture and sensitivity. These tests reveal what kind of bacteria is causing the infection and which medicine is best for treatment.

Blood tests, which are done if there are signs of immune problems.

After the diagnosis is made, a treatment plan is considered, taking into account the patients age, risk factors for having resistant bacteria, immunization status, and hearing status. For low-risk children, the preferred treatment is to hold antibiotics for 24 hours and recheck the following day. Many children improve with only treatment for pain with analgesic eardrops, and then do not need any antibiotics. High-risk children are treated with antibiotics. The use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent recurrent otitis media is controversial.

Gastroschisis represents a congenital defect characterized by a defect in the anterior abdominal wall through which the abdominal contents freely protrude. There is no overlying sac and the size of the defect is usually less than 4 cm. The abdominal wall defect is located at the junction of the umbilicus and normal skin, and is almost always to the right of the umbilicus.

Gastroschisis is a type of hernia. Hernia means "rupture. Babies with this condition have a hole in the abdominal wall. The child's intestines usually stick out (protrude) through the hole. The condition looks similar to an omphalocele. An omphalocele, however, is a birth defect in which the infant's intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button area and are covered with a membrane. Other related birth defects are rare in patients with gastroschisis.

Lump in the abdomen

Intestine sticks through the abdominal wall near the umbilical cord

Physical examination of the infant is enough for the health care provider to diagnose gastroschisis. The baby will have problems with movement and absorption in the gut, because the unprotected intestine is exposed to irritating amniotic fluid.
The mother may have shown signs of too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). A prenatal ultrasound often identifies the gastroschisis.

If gastroschisis is found before birth, the mother will need special monitoring to make sure her unborn baby remains healthy. Plans should be made for careful delivery and immediate management of the problem after birth. Treatment for gastroschisis is surgery to repair the defect. A surgeon will put the bowel back into the abdomen and close the defect, if possible. If the abdominal cavity is too small, a mesh sack is stitched around the borders of the defect and the edges of the defect are pulled up. Over time, the herniated intestine falls back into the abdominal cavity, and the defect can be closed. Other treatments for the baby include nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection. The baby's temperature must be carefully controlled, because the exposed intestine allows a lot of body heat to escape.