Meningococcal disease has been responsible for 2 deaths on the NSW Central Coast in the last 2 months, and 9 people have died in Australia in the past 2 years. Be aware of the symptoms and risks, experts warn.
childrens health
Drugs and young people
Recognising that your teenage child is using drugs, and dealing with the situation, can be difficult for parents.
Video: Measles is on the rise
Why are we still seeing cases of measles in Australia, after the World Health Organization announced Australia had eliminated measles in 2014?
Cerebral palsy Q and A
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the name given to a group of disorders that affect body posture and movement, caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone.
Video: Binge drinking teenagers – are parents to blame?
The wisdom of giving your kids sips of alcohol may not bear out scientific scrutiny, with a study showing that students whose parents supplied them alcohol were significantly more likely to binge drink than those who weren't given alcohol.
Faecal incontinence in children (encopresis)
Underwear soiling (also known as faecal incontinence) is a problem that arises in children commonly as a result of ongoing constipation. Treatment is similar to that recommended for constipation.
Constipation in children
When children are constipated, they have stools that are hard, dry and difficult (or painful) to pass. Constipation in kids is usually behavioural and caused by their decision to delay going to the toilet.Â
Peanut allergy in children
Peanut allergy is the most common serious food allergy in children. About 3 in every 100 infants are allergic to peanuts, and the prevalence seems to be rising.
Iron deficiency anaemia in children
Many children do not get enough iron from their diet to meet the demands of their growing bodies. This can result in low body iron and eventually iron deficiency anaemia (low haemoglobin).
Childhood infections: minimising the spread
The 3 most effective ways of stopping the spread of childhood infections are: getting your children vaccinated; keeping them at home when they are sick; and careful hand washing.
