Conditions We Treat
Understanding your child's condition is an important step on your treatment journey. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis for a variety of conditions that may require surgery at Children's National Hospital.
Conditions are listed by the section of the body that they affect.
Abdomen
- Anorectal Malformations
These malformations are caused by the abnormal position of the anus, rectum and genitourinary tract. Learn more about anorectal malformations. - Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an infection and inflammation of the appendix, small a pinkie-sized organ off of the right colon. Doctors are not really sure what the appendix does, but removing it is not harmful. Appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency surgery in childhood. Learn more about appendicitis. - Choledochal Cysts
These congenital bile ducts anomalies are cystic dilatations that require surgical excision. - Crohn’s Disease
This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in different areas of your child's digestive tract. Learn more about Crohn's disease. - Epigastric Hernia
This type of hernia in the epigastric region of the abdominal wall is above the belly button and just below the sternum of your rib cage. - Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your child's gallbladder. - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This digestive disorder is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus resulting in irritation, inflammation and significant reflux. Learn more about gastroesophageal reflux disease. - Hirschsprung’s Disease
This condition results in intestinal blockage due to missing cells in the intestinal signal the muscles in the large intestine to push stool towards the anus. Learn more about Hirschsprung’s disease. - Hydrocele
This is a space filled with fluid occurring below or next to a testicle in the male scrotum. It is usually painless, and is not to be confused with a hernia, but may occur along with hernia. Learn more about hydrocele. - Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
This condition is also called celiac axis syndrome due to compression of celiac artery and celiac ganglia by median arcuate ligament. - Mesenteric Cysts and Tumors
These are rare conditions occurring in the folds of tissue that attach the organs of the body to the inside of the abdominal wall, usually treated by surgical removal. - Ulcerative Colitis
This type of inflammatory bowel disease usually causes inflammation in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Learn more about ulcerative colitis. - Umbilical Hernias
This condition is a hernia that happens in the belly button area. - Undescended Testes
Undescended testes occur when one or both of the male testes have not passed down (descended) into the scrotal sac. - Weight Loss Surgery
There are different types of bariatric surgery that help people lose weight. Learn more about bariatric surgery.
Chest
- Achalasia
Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus impairing the ability to push food down into the stomach. Learn more about achalasia. - Breast Disorders
Conditions include breast asymmetry, gynecomastia and lesions, such as fibroadenomas. - Chest and Mediastinal Masses
These are cyst and tumors between the sternum and the spine. - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
This is a defect that develops during the formation of the diaphragm, which does not completely close, creating a hole between the chest and the abdominal cavities. Learn more about congenital diaphragmatic hernia. - Esophageal Duplication or Masses
In this rare inherited condition, a mass forms along the esophagus. - Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating of underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis) is produced. - Pectus Carinatum
Pectus carinatum, sometimes called "pigeon breast," is caused when the breastbone is pushed outward, and occurs only about a third as often as pectus excavatum. Learn more about pectus carinatum. - Pectus Excavatum
Pectus excavatum (sometimes called cobbler's chest, sunken chest, or funnel chest) is the most common chest deformity and is caused when several ribs and the sternum grow abnormally, which produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest. Learn more about pectus excavatum. - Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia
Esophageal atresia is a defect that occurs before birth. There are several types. In most cases, the upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. Learn more about tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.
Head and Neck
- Branchial Cleft Abnormalities
This is a malformation on the side of the neck which normally appear anywhere from the ear, along the line of the jaw and throat. Learn more about branchial cleft abnormalities. - Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
A thyroglossal duct cyst is a neck mass or lump that develops from cells and tissues remaining after the formation of the thyroid gland during embryonic development. Learn more about thyroglossal duct cysts.