Welcome to Child Health

Asthma help ?

Asthma is an allergic respiratory condition where children cough and wheeze in response to a variety of triggers  including viruses, indoor and outdoor allergens, changes in weather and exercise.  The following is an explanation of asthma,  its current management and assessment.

Concerned about Anxiety?

anxietywebAnxiety is a normal human emotion. It is a feeling of uneasiness in situations that maybe dangerous or threatening. It becomes a disorder when the anxiety interferes with day to day functioning and happiness. When managed effectively there is good evidence this will be of lifelong benefit.

Fe Deficiency - Commonest nutritional problem in under 3s

Infants and toddlers have the greatest risk of iron deficiency. Severe iron deficiency causes anaemia and sometimes developmental problems. Poor dietary iron is the commonest cause, and unfortunately symptoms and signs of iron deficiency are absent unless there is anaemia. The ingestion of large amounts of cow’s milk after 12 months is the main contributory cause. More than 500mls per day is a risk factor for Fe deficiency.

Eczema Background

One of the most frustrating conditions for parents and health professionals, this description helps parents understand exactly what eczema is and how to manage it. There is no cure for eczema, though most infants and toddlers will ‘grow out of it’. This also discusses many of the myths and false cures that are currently available.

Think your child is overweight?

The child who is overweight or obese is at risk of significant health and psychological problems.  Health professionals and parents often realise there is an issue but are unsure how to approach this without feeling judgmental.  (Especially if the health professional is also overweight !) Nevertheless the earlier this problem is tackled by the family the far better the eventual outcome.

Does your child snore ?

Snoring describes noisy breathing during sleep. Many children will snore if they have a cold or blocked nose and this is common and expected to resolve. However some children, even as young as 18 months will constantly snore. This article is aimed helping to decide how serious this is. If there is significant sleep apnoea (pausing noted due to obstruction) then sometimes intervention is needed.

Behavioural Problems

The topic of parenting encompasses the way in which we provide the blueprint for the next generation.

Nutrition

Nutrition covers the current guidelines and deals with concerns such as fussy eaters and children with weight issue.

Personal Posts

This section provides information on a variety of the most common problems facing children in Australia today.

Latest Posts

Northern NSW Emergency Room, 1990s

Just audible, over the single ominous note of the cardiac monitor, Willie Nelson, crooned Elvis’ You Were Always On My Mind. Sort of song you expect at 4am. The radio in the corner had no respect. Hopeless seconds pass. We had failed. “Are…

Last drinks for the Swans

Childhealth gets teased a bit. And so it happened on Saturday at the MCG. Not because the Swans played as if they had consumed sports drinks laced with alcohol, nope, it was because I brought my footy boots. I mean, there was a chance. If…

Role Modelling

At the age of 9 years, life should be wondrous moments of understanding and realisations. Friendships, family, shopping, ice cream and excitement. Searching for innocence, a 9yo was admitted to hospital this week who was so scared of a family…

Manpox trumps Manful

Childhealth recently diagnosed manpox. The partner of one of the marketing strategists – (hang on, not even 100 Facebook likes yet ! what’s she doing ?) – has come down with chickenpox. Over the last week he has been ostracised, left to…

Triage Nurses – Speed dating and acronym specialists!

As far as first impressions go, the triage nurse in a children’s emergency department has to be really good. But here we’re talking medical. These highly trained nurses in a busy emergency department have to quickly assess every child that…

Guilty Parent Marketing – Save your money

Ironically, following the latest television report on the Essendon supplements saga was an advertisement for vitamins. Watching this it struck me that the marketing technique makes the consumer feel guilty for not buying the product. Am I an…
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