Niemann-Pick disease

Niemann-Pick disease A group of inherited biochemical disorders in which lipid (fat) accumulates in the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow, and the brain. Symptoms may include lack of muscle coordination, brain degeneration, learning problems, loss of muscle tone, increased sensitivity to touch, spasticity, feeding and swallowing difficulties, slurred speech, and an enlarged liver and spleen….

nidus

nidus In medicine, any structure that resembles a nest in appearance or function. From the Latin for “nest.” A nidus is a breeding place where bacteria, parasites, and other agents of a disease lodge and develop. For example, a nidus of infection is a focus of infection. A nidus is also the nucleus or origin…

nicotine

nicotine An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produced synthetically. Nicotine has powerful pharmacologic effects (including increased heart rate, heart stroke volume, and oxygen consumption by the heart muscle), as well as powerful psychodynamic effects (such as euphoria, increased alertness, and a sense of relaxation). Nicotine is also powerfully addictive.

newborn screening

newborn screening Testing of newborns to screen for serious treatable diseases, many of which are genetic. Which newborn screening tests are done in the US are determined on a state-by-state basis. The most common newborn screening tests in the US are for hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosemia, and sickle cell disease. Testing for hypothyroidism and PKU…