harmful to, or have unknown effects on, the devel-
oping FETUS, it is important to talk with the doctor
before taking any medication or herbal remedy.
The doctor may consider intravenous fluids and
nutrition for women who experience severe,
extended morning sickness (called hyperemesis
gravidarum), though the need for such interven-
tion is uncommon. Morning sickness is more com-
mon in women who have a history of migraine
HEADACHE, motion sickness, or morning sickness in
previous pregnancies. Morning sickness is also
more common in women who are pregnant with
multiples (twins or higher).
See also PRENATAL CARE; VITAMINS AND HEALTH.
nabothian cyst A mucous-filled growth that
develops within a nabothian gland. The nabothian
glands are clusters of mucous-secreting cells on
the surface of the CERVIX. Nabothian cysts are very
common, cause no symptoms, and present no
health risk. Typically the health-care provider dis-
covers nabothian cysts, which are hard and pim-
plelike, during routine PELVIC EXAMINATION.
Occasionally the doctor may choose to further
examine nabothian cysts using COLPOSCOPYto con-
firm the diagnosis.
See also BARTHOLIN’S CYST; PAP TEST.
neonatal jaundice A condition in which the
newborn infant’s LIVERcannot yet properly destroy
old erythrocytes (red BLOODcells), resulting in the
accumulation of BILIRUBINin the blood circulation.
The excessive bilirubin, a pigmented protein com-
pound, gives the SKINa characteristic yellowish
orange hue. Neonatal JAUNDICE, also called physio-
logic jaundice of the newborn, is more common in
infants born before 37 weeks gestational age
because of the immaturity of their livers.
Mild neonatal jaundice clears on its own within
a few days. The doctor may prescribe photolight
therapy (also called PHOTOTHERAPY) for moderate
neonatal jaundice, a treatment that exposes the
infant’s skin to short periods of ultraviolet light.
Ultraviolet light expedites the chemical break-
down of the bilirubin so the body can excrete it.
Circumstances of jaundice in a newborn may
result from numerous pathologic causes including
BILIARY ATRESIA(absence of the BILE DUCTS), BOWEL
ATRESIA(absence of the large intestine), hemolytic
disease of the newborn (Rh incompatibility), and
congenital HEPATITISB.
See also ANEMIA; BLOOD TYPE; ERYTHROCYTE.nocturnal emission ORGASM and EJACULATION
that occur when a boy or man is asleep. Nocturnal
emissions are natural and normal across the age
spectrum from ADOLESCENCE through old age,
though are most common during adolescence
when SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICSare devel-
oping and HORMONElevels are rising. Researchers
believe nocturnal emissions often occur during
dreams (thus the casual term “wet dreams”)
though the man may not remember dreaming.
See also AGING, REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL
CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH; MASTURBATION; PUBERTY;
SEXUAL HEALTH.306 The Reproductive System