Dictionary

desquamate To shed the outer layers of the skin.

desquamation The shedding of the outer layers of the skin. For example, when the rash of measles fades, desquamation occurs.

deuteranomaly See colorblindness.

deuteranopia See colorblindness.

development The process of growth and differentiation. The most important stage of human development occurs before birth, as tissues and organs arise from differentiation of cells in the embryo. This process continues until birth, and interruptions in development result in the most serious types of birth defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida. The developmental…

development, embryonic See prenatal development.

development, fetal See prenatal development.

developmental delay A condition in which a child is behind schedule in reaching milestones of early childhood development. This term is often used as a euphemism for mental retardation, which can be less a delay than a permanent limitation of a child’s ability to progress.

developmental disorder One of several disorders that interrupt normal development in childhood. A developmental disorder may affect a single area of development (specific developmental disorder) or several areas (pervasive developmental disorder). With early intervention, most specific developmental disorders can be accommodated and overcome. Early intervention is absolutely essential for pervasive developmental disorders, many of which…

developmental disorder, pervasive A class of disorders in which the patient shows impairment in social interaction, imaginative activity, and verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and has a limited number of interests and activities that tend to be repetitive (stereotyped). Abbreviated PDD. All types of PDDs are disorders of the nervous system that are usually evident…

developmental disorder, specific A disorder that affects only one area of development. For example, dysgraphia is a specific developmental disorder; it is a specific impairment of the ability to write legibly. See also developmental disorder; developmental disorder, pervasive; dysarthria; dyscalculia; dyslexia.

developmental dysplasia of the hip See congenital hip dislocation.