Kids' & Teens' Health topics
- ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Autism
- Child safety
- Child-rearing and child development
- Childrens gastrointestinal disorders
Common childhood concerns (H-Z)
Habit cough in children
A habit cough is a cough that occurs in the absence of any underlying disease. It may follow a viral illness, but can go on for weeks, months or even, in extreme cases, years.
Head lice
Head lice (or nits), which live and breed in hair or on the scalp, can be treated by wet combing with a conditioner or with various shampoos and lotions.
Head lice machine treats lice without chemicals
A mechanical head lice treatment that uses heat and air pressure to kill lice has attracted interest in Australia, but has some limitations.
Healthy diet for children
Find out how to encourage better nutrition in children.
Hearing impairment and schoolchildren
Hearing impairments affect a child's listening ability and can therefore often interfere with their educational and social development.
Hearing problems in children
Poor hearing is a serious problem for children, affecting the ability to speak, read and be educated.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body's cooling system is overloaded; heat stroke requires urgent treatment to prevent death or permanent disability.
High cholesterol in children
Certain eating patterns and genetic factors can cause high cholesterol levels in children.
Hydrocoeles
Hydrocoeles are fluid-filled bags occurring in the scrotum.
Impetigo
Impetigo - sometimes called school sores - is a very contagious skin infection. It is most common in children and infants.
Infrared thermometers fail test for children with fever
Infrared skin thermometers and tympanic (ear) thermometers are not as accurate as traditional thermometers for detecting fever in children, studies suggest.
Iron deficiency anaemia in children
Iron is also essential for normal brain development in children. When there is insufficient iron, the red blood cells become small and pale, known as iron deficiency anaemia.
Juvenile chronic arthritis
Juvenile chronic arthritis a condition that causes inflammation of the joints affects approximately one child in 1,000.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is an illness in which there is inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Find out about the symptoms and treatment of this childhood illness.
Knock knees
Knock knees (genu valgum) is common in young children. The legs usually straighten as the child grows.
Lung function testing in children
Lung (or pulmonary) function tests are performed for a variety of reasons in children. Find out about the available tests, including spirometry and peak flow measurement.
Measles cases double in 2011
Measles cases in Australia so far in 2011 are almost double the number in 2010, mainly in people who were not vaccinated or only partly vaccinated.
Middle ear infection and grommets
Infection of the middle ear is the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children.
Night terrors
Children who experience night terrors usually have no particular emotional or psychological problem.
Obstructive sleep apnoea in children
Find out more about obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), including the causes, symptoms and treatment.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
One cause of knee pain is a problem called Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Otitis media in children
Otitis media (middle ear infection) is a common childhood illness, and is the most common reason for children being prescribed antibiotics.
Overweight kids and screen time
Limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of the TV or a computer screen may help avoid them becoming overweight.
Overweight kids lack movement skills for exercise
Overweight and obese children often lack the basic movement skills needed for sport and exercise, such as kicking, sliding and hopping, an Australian study shows.
Peanut allergy in children
Peanut allergy is the most common serious food allergy in children. About three in every 100 pre-school children are allergic to peanuts.
Pigeon toes
Many children have intoeing, or 'pigeon toes', a condition in which the feet point inward.
Port wine stains
Port wine stains are birthmarks made up of tiny blood vessels. They are relatively common, occurring in 3 out of every 1000 babies.
Pulled elbow
Pulled elbow happens when a child's outstretched arm is pulled suddenly. Affected children are usually crying and won't move their arm.
Reflux in children
Many babies and small children experience heartburn, or acid reflux.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis means an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. Find out about the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Soft drink consumption alarming in Aussie kids
Eighty per cent of Australian children are regularly consuming carbonated soft drinks and other sugar-laden beverages, and they mostly do it at home, study shows.
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis, and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Sore throat: what you need to know
A sore throat is the result of a very common infection by any one of a large number of bacteria or viruses.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Temperatures and febrile convulsions in children
A raised temperature (fever) is a common event in childhood, but there are some steps that can help.
Thongs considered healthy footwear for kids
Thongs may actually be healthy footwear for children for short periods, academics say.
Threadworms (pinworms)
Threadworms do not go away by themselves, so they must be treated in order to eradicate them.
Thyroid disease in children
Learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment of thyroid disease in children.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is common in children but anyone can catch it. Find out more about the symptoms and treatment for tonsillitis.
Tuberous sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic condition that causes tuber-like growths in the brain and other vital organs.
Tuberous sclerosis: causes
Tuberous sclerosis is an hereditary disease carried by a dominant gene. It is estimated that tuberous sclerosis occurs as a spontaneous mutation in 80 per cent of cases.
Tuberous sclerosis: signs
The first sign of tuberous sclerosis may be a white skin patch. In the past, doctors diagnosed tuberous sclerosis from a triad of epilepsy, intellectual impairment, facial rash and white patches, so it was those people who were severely affected that were
Tuberous sclerosis: symptoms
The earliest sign of tuberous sclerosis may be a white skin patch, seen even on new born babies. These white patches are usually found on the torso and limbs.
TV viewing cuts life expectancy
Every hour spent watching television may shorten your life by 22 minutes, Australian researchers say.
Undescended testicles
About 4 or 5 out of every 100 boys are born with undescended testicles - a condition known as cryptorchidism.
Urinary tract infections in children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common in children. FInd out about the symptoms, tests, treatment and follow-up.
World Haemophilia Day
World Haemophilia Day is celebrated around the world on 17 April to increase awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
Worms
Threadworms: find out about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to avoid re-infection.
A habit cough is a cough that occurs in the absence of any underlying disease. It may follow a viral illness, but can go on for weeks, months or even, in extreme cases, years.
Head lice
Head lice (or nits), which live and breed in hair or on the scalp, can be treated by wet combing with a conditioner or with various shampoos and lotions.
Head lice machine treats lice without chemicals
A mechanical head lice treatment that uses heat and air pressure to kill lice has attracted interest in Australia, but has some limitations.
Healthy diet for children
Find out how to encourage better nutrition in children.
Hearing impairment and schoolchildren
Hearing impairments affect a child's listening ability and can therefore often interfere with their educational and social development.
Hearing problems in children
Poor hearing is a serious problem for children, affecting the ability to speak, read and be educated.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body's cooling system is overloaded; heat stroke requires urgent treatment to prevent death or permanent disability.
High cholesterol in children
Certain eating patterns and genetic factors can cause high cholesterol levels in children.
Hydrocoeles
Hydrocoeles are fluid-filled bags occurring in the scrotum.
Impetigo
Impetigo - sometimes called school sores - is a very contagious skin infection. It is most common in children and infants.
Infrared thermometers fail test for children with fever
Infrared skin thermometers and tympanic (ear) thermometers are not as accurate as traditional thermometers for detecting fever in children, studies suggest.
Iron deficiency anaemia in children
Iron is also essential for normal brain development in children. When there is insufficient iron, the red blood cells become small and pale, known as iron deficiency anaemia.
Juvenile chronic arthritis
Juvenile chronic arthritis a condition that causes inflammation of the joints affects approximately one child in 1,000.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is an illness in which there is inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Find out about the symptoms and treatment of this childhood illness.
Knock knees
Knock knees (genu valgum) is common in young children. The legs usually straighten as the child grows.
Lung function testing in children
Lung (or pulmonary) function tests are performed for a variety of reasons in children. Find out about the available tests, including spirometry and peak flow measurement.
Measles cases double in 2011
Measles cases in Australia so far in 2011 are almost double the number in 2010, mainly in people who were not vaccinated or only partly vaccinated.
Middle ear infection and grommets
Infection of the middle ear is the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children.
Night terrors
Children who experience night terrors usually have no particular emotional or psychological problem.
Obstructive sleep apnoea in children
Find out more about obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), including the causes, symptoms and treatment.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
One cause of knee pain is a problem called Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Otitis media in children
Otitis media (middle ear infection) is a common childhood illness, and is the most common reason for children being prescribed antibiotics.
Overweight kids and screen time
Limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of the TV or a computer screen may help avoid them becoming overweight.
Overweight kids lack movement skills for exercise
Overweight and obese children often lack the basic movement skills needed for sport and exercise, such as kicking, sliding and hopping, an Australian study shows.
Peanut allergy in children
Peanut allergy is the most common serious food allergy in children. About three in every 100 pre-school children are allergic to peanuts.
Pigeon toes
Many children have intoeing, or 'pigeon toes', a condition in which the feet point inward.
Port wine stains
Port wine stains are birthmarks made up of tiny blood vessels. They are relatively common, occurring in 3 out of every 1000 babies.
Pulled elbow
Pulled elbow happens when a child's outstretched arm is pulled suddenly. Affected children are usually crying and won't move their arm.
Reflux in children
Many babies and small children experience heartburn, or acid reflux.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis means an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. Find out about the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Soft drink consumption alarming in Aussie kids
Eighty per cent of Australian children are regularly consuming carbonated soft drinks and other sugar-laden beverages, and they mostly do it at home, study shows.
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis, and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Sore throat: what you need to know
A sore throat is the result of a very common infection by any one of a large number of bacteria or viruses.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Temperatures and febrile convulsions in children
A raised temperature (fever) is a common event in childhood, but there are some steps that can help.
Thongs considered healthy footwear for kids
Thongs may actually be healthy footwear for children for short periods, academics say.
Threadworms (pinworms)
Threadworms do not go away by themselves, so they must be treated in order to eradicate them.
Thyroid disease in children
Learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment of thyroid disease in children.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is common in children but anyone can catch it. Find out more about the symptoms and treatment for tonsillitis.
Tuberous sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic condition that causes tuber-like growths in the brain and other vital organs.
Tuberous sclerosis: causes
Tuberous sclerosis is an hereditary disease carried by a dominant gene. It is estimated that tuberous sclerosis occurs as a spontaneous mutation in 80 per cent of cases.
Tuberous sclerosis: signs
The first sign of tuberous sclerosis may be a white skin patch. In the past, doctors diagnosed tuberous sclerosis from a triad of epilepsy, intellectual impairment, facial rash and white patches, so it was those people who were severely affected that were
Tuberous sclerosis: symptoms
The earliest sign of tuberous sclerosis may be a white skin patch, seen even on new born babies. These white patches are usually found on the torso and limbs.
TV viewing cuts life expectancy
Every hour spent watching television may shorten your life by 22 minutes, Australian researchers say.
Undescended testicles
About 4 or 5 out of every 100 boys are born with undescended testicles - a condition known as cryptorchidism.
Urinary tract infections in children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common in children. FInd out about the symptoms, tests, treatment and follow-up.
World Haemophilia Day
World Haemophilia Day is celebrated around the world on 17 April to increase awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
Worms
Threadworms: find out about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to avoid re-infection.
