صحة الأطفال البدنية

What is asthma? Asthma is a disease where the airway becomes inflamed. It can cause symptoms like wheeze, shortness of breath, cough, or chest tightness.   For many people asthma does not last their whole life. It can be triggered by a viral throat infection, exercise, passive smoking, or allergies....

What is a BCG vaccination? The BCG vaccine is the vaccine for tuberculosis, also known as TB. Tuberculosis is a serious bacterial infection. It mainly affects the lungs. The vaccine contains a weak form of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. After you have the vaccine, your body develops immunity against...

What is bedwetting (enuresis)? Enuresis is involuntary bedwetting during sleep in a child under 5 years old. It is a common condition that affects 10% of children aged over 7 years old. This can be quite stressful for both children and their families and can sometimes be associated with daytime...

What is a behavioural concern? Some children act differently to other children. Behaving differently isn’t always a problem. But, if your child’s conduct is causing stress, worry, harm, or risk – either to your child, or to those around your child – then there is a cause for concern. Examples...

What is a developmental concern? GPs use milestones to track your child’s development. Milestones are the skills and tasks children can do at different ages. For example, smiling at 6 weeks, or forming words around 12 months. Milestones are based on five domains: fine motor, gross motor, speech, social, and...

What is it? GPs use milestones to track your child’s development. Milestones are the skills and tasks children can do at different ages. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, there may be a cause for concern. See the developmental concerns in children factsheet for more information...

What is diabetes in children? Diabetes happens in children when the glucose level in their blood stays high. Everybody has glucose in their blood. It is in the food we eat. A hormone called insulin allows glucose to move from the blood to the body's cells. Insulin is made in...

What is eczema? Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition causing dry, itchy skin that can become inflamed. Eczema in children often comes and goes. It most often begins before a child is one year old. Most children will grow out of their eczema by the age...

What is an eye problem for a child? Eye problems are common in children. These problems can happen because of injury, infection or begin at birth. Some concerns can be very minor and need simple treatments. Your GP is a good place to start for advice on what treatment may...

What is a headache? Headaches are a common pain syndrome seen in children, along with recurrent abdominal and leg pains. The two most common causes of recurrent headache in children are the same as those seen in adults - about 50% are tension headaches and 25% are migraines. These can...

What is a heart murmur? A heart murmur is when the blood flowing through the heart makes an extra noise. Normal heart sounds make a "lubb-dubb" noise as blood flows through the heart. Most heart murmurs in children and will disappear with time. In some cases, heart murmurs are caused...

What is an inguinal hernia (lump or swelling in children)? An inguinal hernia is a lump that occurs in the groin. Lumps in the groin area in children have many causes. The most common is an inguinal hernia which tend to affect boys more often than girls. Other causes in...

What is an inhaled foreign object? It is very common for small children to put items in their mouths and then inhale them accidentally. Doing this may cause choking. It is important to watch your child at all times when they are eating or playing with small objects. Choking is...

What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in a child aged 16 or younger. It causes joint inflammation and stiffness. Researchers still don’t know what causes juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In Australia, at least 5000 children are affected by the disease at any...

What is plagiocephaly (misshapen or flat head)? Plagiocephaly (misshapen or flat head) is when a baby has an uneven or flat spot on their head. A newborns skull bones are soft, thin and flexible. It is normal and most of the time it will correct itself as the baby grows....

What is it? It is very common for children to develop lumps in their necks. The most common cause is enlarged lymph nodes following an upper respiratory tract infection. Occasionally a single large and tender lymph node can be due to a bacterial infection and require antibiotics. Long standing lumps...

What is obstructive sleep apnoea in children? Obstructive sleep apnoea is when something partly or completely blocks the throat during sleep. This causes breathing to reduce or stop for a short time before starting again. This often happens with a gasp, snort or a jerk of the body. Children with...

What is pain relief for children? For children, treatment depends on the age of the child and cause of their pain. Common pain relief medications used in children are paracetamol and ibuprofen. In general, these medicines are safe and effective when used at their recommended doses. Other medicines are also...

What is it? The foreskin is the loose skin at the head of the penis. The foreskin usually won’t pull back at all at birth. By age 15, most boys should be able to pull back their foreskin. Pulling back the foreskin stops urine from building up under the foreskin...

What is a persistent cough in children? A cough is a very common symptom in children. It can be caused by many different things. You should see your GP if your child's cough lasts for more than four weeks.

What is physical activity in children? Regular physical activity is essential for your child’s health, growth and development. Kids need to be active every day. But most children don’t get enough exercise. Children aged one to five need to be active for at least three hours every day. Your child’s...

What is poisoning and drug overdose? Drug overdoses and poisonings are common reasons people are taken to hospital. An overdose happens when someone takes too much of a drug, poison, or a mix of these. This can cause harmful, toxic effects on the body. Symptoms may appear quickly, but sometimes...

What is a rash? A rash is a change in colour and texture of the skin. They can feel hot, itchy, or painful. The rash may appear in one spot or around the body. They can last for days or weeks. Rashes are common in children and babies. There are...

What is short stature in children? Short stature in children means a child is shorter than most other children of their age and gender. From birth, your GP will record your child’s height on a growth chart. This is how they see if your child is growing well. Short stature...

What is a temper tantrum? Temper tantrums, also known as tantrums, are emotional outbursts. If your child is having a tantrum, they might cry, yell and stamp. They may act like they are out of control or run away. Anger and frustration are common signs. Children with severe tantrums may...

What is torticollis? Torticollis is a when the neck muscles spasm and the neck twists to the side. It is usually due to shortening of a muscle in the neck. It can happen to babies, children and adults.  In babies, it can happen while the baby is growing in the...

What are undescended testes? Undescended testes is when a testicle hasn't moved into the bag of skin below the penis (the scrotum) before birth. This can happen on one or both sides. In most cases it does not need treatment. The testicle will usually move down during the first 6...

What is weight gain in children? Weight management in children is about making long-term changes that support a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to slow weight gain and allow your child to grow into his or her weight. A poor diet, lack of exercise, emotional issues, and even a lack...

What is wheeze in children? Asthma can present an any age, however wheezing is a common breathing problem for children aged 1-5 years old. This is known as viral induced wheeze or pre-school asthma. It happens when a child has a viral infection, gets a cough or cold.   The airways...