respiratory distress syndrome
Common in premature infants, RDS means a baby can't take in enough oxygen because his or her lungs aren't yet fully developed. With proper treatment, about 80 percent of babies recover fully.
Rh incompatibility
A condition in which a baby's blood type is incompatible with the mother's. If carefully monitored and treated, women whose Rh factor is incompatible with their fetus's will usually give birth to a healthy baby.
rickets
Caused by a vitamin D deficiency, rickets is a bone-deforming disease that causes bowed legs, knock-knees, or other deformities of the legs. Because the government has mandated that milk, cereal, and other foods be fortified with vitamin D, rickets is fairly rare in the United States.
rooming-in
When a newborn stays in the same room as the mother in a hospital after birth.
rooting reflex
One of the reflexes present at birth; infants will automatically turn their heads and start sucking when their cheeks are stroked.
roseola infantum
A common viral illness in children under 2, roseola infantum begins with a high fever, runny nose, and swollen glands, usually followed by a rash on the torso, arms, or legs. While the infection is common, serious complications from roseola infantum are rare.
