There are many causes of abdominal pain in children. Conditions such as constipation or overeating are not serious and usually pass on their own. Other causes, such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction, can need urgent medical attention.

From the moment your baby is born, they no longer receive nutrients through the umbilical cord. They will instead need nutrients initially from milk and then at around six months, also from solid food. It is important for a child to have an appropriate diet for growth and development at every sta...

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, leading to pain and difficulty moving the joint. There are many different types of arthritis that can affect children. These conditions may also be called juvenile arthritis.

Autism refers to a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that falls within a spectrum of similar disorders. People with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulties relating to their environment and interacting with people, have limited interests and may show repetitive behaviours and heightened...

Becoming a father isn't just about having children or just being there for them. Fatherhood means taking responsibility for the children in your life. It means providing for your child, protecting them, being a positive role model and teaching your child about the world around them.

Bedwetting is a common condition where toilet-trained children accidentally urinate during their sleep. It is not a sign of laziness, naughtiness, or any emotional immaturity. It is important not to blame or shame the child over this behaviour, which is not under the child's control. Strategies a...

Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and baby, from improved immunity for baby, to closer bonding for both. Some women find that breastfeeding comes naturally, but for many others, advice and education from health professionals helps them to overcome some hurdles.

Breast engorgement is when too much breastmilk is produced, making your breasts feel heavy and uncomfortable. Breastfeeding may be more difficult, as your baby is unable to attach to very full breasts. Heat packs can help with the letdown of breast milk and cold packs can relieve the discomfort.

When upset or alarmed, some children involuntarily hold their breath, occasionally until they faint. A breath-holding spell is thought to occur when the primitive regions of a child's nervous system get out of balance. It is not a conscious behavior and resolves as the child gets older.

Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects infants under 12 months of age. It occurs when the very small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, become inflamed and swell up. Most cases of bronchiolitis start to get better on their own within a few days. However, some ...

Bullying is the use of power by a person or group of people to intentionally cause physical or psychological harm to another person or group of people. It includes humiliating, demeaning or threatening behaviour and can occur anywhere, including at school, home, online or the workplace.

Chickenpox is a common, contagious childhood illness, caused by the varicella virus. It causes a distinctive, itchy rash, and normally resolves on its own. A vaccine is available that can help reduce your chance of getting the condition.

Childhood immunisations help protect infants and children against a variety of diseases, without them being exposed to the actual diseases. Immunisations include tetanus, polio, measles and chicken pox vaccines. They also help protect friends and family by reducing the rates of these conditions.

Carrying excess body fat can have a range of serious consequences for children’s health, particularly in their future. There are numerous strategies available to help children manage their weight and enjoy their childhood.

Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions in which the two sides of a baby’s top lip or roof of the mouth do not join up during foetal development. Surgery is normally performed to correct the condition, usually between the ages of six months and two years.

Children's developing immune systems predispose them to getting more infections than adults. This constant exposure to new illnesses is necessary and important. It helps to build a child's immune system and better equips them to fend off infection as they grow older.

Conjunctivitis, also called ‘pink eye’, is an inflammation of the outer layer of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, irritants or allergies. It may require medicated eye drops or ointments.

Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in. Dehydration in children is common, as they need proportionally larger volumes of water to maintain a healthy fluid level. They are particularly at risk during hot weather, or when unwell from conditions such as gastroenteritis.

It is recommended that you clean your baby’s teeth daily, as soon as the first teeth appear in their mouth. From an early age, it is important to help children develop good oral hygiene habits.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a range of conditions in which the development of the hip in an infant does not occur normally. It can range from relatively mild looseness in the joint through to full dislocation of the hip.

Developmental milestones are skills and behaviours that are seen in young children as they develop, such as crawling, walking and talking. It is normal for children to reach some milestones earlier, while others take longer. If you have concerns about your child’s development, therapies are avail...

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes physical, developmental and intellectual impairment. Not all characteristics are present in all people with Down syndrome and levels of impairment can vary greatly.

Failure to thrive (FTT) occurs when an infant or young child consistently fails to grow and gain weight at the rate expected for their age and gender. It may occur as the result of a range of factors or medical conditions.

Febrile convulsions in children are fits or seizures that are associated with a fever. They occur in children usually under five years of age. The vast majority of children with febrile convulsions will never have another seizure and have an excellent prognosis.

Food refusal often occurs in children, usually at the end of their first year. By this time they have formed food preferences. In their second year, children may refuse food on sight, based on these preferences.

Growing pains are a form of recurring limb pain experienced by children. Although they can sometimes be severe and at times alarming for children and parents, they do not indicate or cause any permanent damage and usually do not interfere with a child's normal activities. Typically, they go away ...

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild viral illness which resolves itself in a few days. Affecting mainly children, it’s more common in warmer weather. Good personal hygiene and teaching children to cover their coughs and sneezes can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Headbanging is the process of banging one’s head against something in a rhythmic motion. Surprisingly common in infants, headbanging is generally temporary and harmless, but can last into childhood for some people. Headbanging can also occur during tantrums, or in people with certain medical cond...

Head injuries in children are commonly caused by accidents, falls, trauma or sport. Most are classified as either minor or moderate and aren’t associated with any long-term complications. Close observation of all children with a head injury is needed, but not all need to go to hospital.

Head lice are small insects that tend to live on and feed from the human scalp, causing intense itching and scratching of the affected area. They are easily spread from person to person, most commonly amongst children. Adhering to treatment advice can prevent them returning.

Infantile colic is a term used for periods of excessive, inconsolable crying and fretting by babies, for which no medical or other cause can be found. It is a very common condition, generally seen in about one in three very young babies.

Newborn jaundice is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes in newborn babies. It is caused by raised levels of bilirubin (a yellowish pigment found in bile, which is produced by the liver) in the blood and tissues. It is a common condition, especially in babies who are breastfed.

Circumcision is an elective surgical procedure performed on males. It is the practice of removing the foreskin from the penis. Circumcision is generally a safe procedure and complications are rare. It may occasionally be needed for medical reasons, but more commonly performed for cultural or pers...

Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast tissue, commonly due to an infection in women who are breastfeeding. It normally occurs in the first three months of breastfeeding. It typically causes pain and redness in the breast.

A middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, occurs when fluid trapped behind the eardrum becomes infected with a virus or bacteria, causing an earache, fever, temporary hearing loss and unwellness. In young children symptoms can also include loss of balance, reduced hunger, disrupte...

Nappy rash is a skin rash around the nappy area that is common in babies between four and fifteen months of age. Most babies will get nappy rash at some point while they are in nappies, but they can usually be cared for at home.

The newborn baby blood test, also known as a 'heel prick test' or 'blood spot test', is carried out on all newborn babies shortly after their birth. It is a simple test that is done by taking a few drops of blood from the baby's heel.

Your new baby needs a safe, caring environment in order to thrive. It's your duty as a parent to make sure they are kept safe from harm in your home and outside of it. Looking after a newborn is a combination of common sense, love and patience – it is important that you, your partner and any othe...

Hearing screening is a non-invasive tool used to identify hearing impairment in newborn babies and young children. It is particularly difficult to detect hearing impairment is the first two months of life without screening programs. Identifying hearing impairment early means that help for your ch...

Nipple problems such as pain and soreness are common during breastfeeding. They are usually caused by incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast, which can be corrected with advice from a midwife, nurse or lactation consultant.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine, an amino acid that plays an important role in metabolism. A build-up of phenylalanine in the body can lead to an intellectual disability.

Precocious puberty is when puberty begins before eight years of age in girls and nine years in boys. It is caused by the early production of sex hormones. It is important to help a child with precocious puberty to cope with their changing body, rather than seeing it as a problem.

A premature baby is one born before 37 weeks’ gestation. Because they have less time to develop in the uterus, they are more likely to have health problems and usually need special care after birth.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection characterised by a rough, red rash that starts on one part of the body and then spreads to other areas. Other symptoms include fever, itchiness, flushing in the face and a red, swollen tongue. Scarlet fever most commonly occurs in children between two and 10...

Scoliosis is the sideways curve of the spine. It is a common condition, affecting about 2-3% of the population to some degree. Early intervention can help lessen the severity of scoliosis, using physiotherapy, good posture practice and possibly a brace.

Short stature is a term used to describe a person who is significantly below the height expected for their age, gender and family background. In some cases, short stature in children may be an indication of underlying medical problems.

Slapped cheek disease, also known as fifth disease or slapped cheek syndrome, is a common viral disease in children. Featuring a distinctive red rash on the cheeks, it is usually a mild illness that does not require treatment.

The first weeks and months after bringing a new baby into the family can be a trying time. The newborn's sleep patterns often play a major part in the difficulties faced by new parents, but after a few months, a newborn will usually settle into a more mature sleep pattern.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also known as ‘cot death’ and ‘crib death’. SIDS is defined as any death of an infant under one year of age that cannot, after thorough investigation, be explained by a known cause. The loss of a child is a very distressing time for families; however, counse...

Talipes occurs when a baby is born with a foot and ankle twisted out of shape or position. One of the more well-known forms of talipes is clubfoot (talipes equinovarus). However, there are other forms of the condition.

Around one third of families report difficulties with their babies’ sleeping patterns. Going to sleep is actually a skill that each child needs to learn in their first year of life. A few simple techniques can help babies settle more easily and learn to sleep through the night.

Teething is the eruption of teeth through a baby’s gums. These teeth are commonly called baby teeth, or milk teeth and usually appear gradually from the age of six months up to three years. They begin to fall out from around six years of age, to be replaced by permanent teeth.

Torticollis is the involuntary twisting of the neck to one side due to painful spasms in the neck muscles. Also known as ‘wry neck’, it can occur at any age. Causes can include inflammation, infection or, in babies, an abnormal head posture in utero. In adults, almost all cases of torticollis res...

Type 1 diabetes is a long-term condition with impaired control of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It occurs when the pancreas cannot produce the hormone insulin, which normally controls the entry of glucose into cells. Individuals with type 1 diabetes need careful management, including insulin inje...

Younger children often have vague symptoms when they have a urinary tract infection (UTI). These include fever, vomiting, poor feeding and irritability. In older children, there may be frequent urination, burning sensations when urinating, fatigue, or abdominal pain. UTIs in children may require ...

Vulvovaginitis is the inflammation of the lining of the vagina and outer genitalia, and is a common condition in young girls. Although it can be uncomfortable and cause pain and discharge, it is usually easy to treat.