Dictionary

informatics The application of computers and statistics to the management of information.

informed consent The process by which a patient learns about and understands the purpose, benefits, and potential risks of a medical or surgical intervention, including clinical trials, and then agrees to receive the treatment or participate in the trial. Informed consent generally requires the patient or responsible party to sign a statement confirming that they…

index case A person who first draws attention to his or her family because of having a medical condition. For example, if an eye doctor discovers a person has glaucoma, and subsequently other cases of glaucoma are found in the person’s family, that person is the index case. Also known as propositus (if male) or…

indifferent gonad See gonad, indifferent.

indigestion See dyspepsia.

induced menopause See menopause, induced.

induction therapy The first in a series of therapeutic measures taken to treat a disease, typically a cancer. The induction therapy, for example, in acute leukemia is the initial chemotherapy designed to bring about a remission.

infant A young baby, from birth to 12 months of age.

infant mortality rate The number of children dying at less than 1 year of age, divided by the number of live births that year.

infantile genetic agranulocytosis See agranulocytosis, infantile genetic.

infantile hip dislocation See congenital hip dislocation.

infantile hypothyroidism See hypothyroidism, infantile.