Delay, developmental
Delay, developmental: 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.
Read Also:
- Deletion
Deletion: Loss of a segment of DNA from a chromosome. A chromosome deletion can cause disease. An example is the cri du chat (cat cry) syndrome, which is due to loss of part of chromosome 5. The opposite of duplication.
- Delirium
Delirium: A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometimes associated with hallucinations and hyperactivity, during which the patient is inaccessible to normal contact. Delirium can be due to a number of conditions, including infection, drug toxicity or withdrawal, seizures, brain tumor, poisoning, head injury, and metabolic disturbances.
- Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens: A central nervous system symptom of alcohol withdrawal that is seen in chronic alcoholism. Symptoms include uncontrollable trembling, hallucinations, severe anxiety, sweating, and sudden feelings of terror. Abbreviated DTs. DTs can be both frightening and, in severe cases, deadly. Treatment includes observation, comfort care, and in some cases medication.
- Delivery, footling
Delivery, footling: There are single-footling or double-footling deliveries depending upon whether the presenting part of the baby at delivery is just one foot or both feet.
- Delivery, breech
Delivery, breech: Delivery in which the buttocks present before the head.