Kids Health Info

Finding the cause of pain in children and what to do about it can be one of the trickiest things for parents to manage. In this episode, Anthea is joined by Dr Nadine Sharples from the Emergency Department at The Royal Children's Hospital to share lots of practical advice on pain and pain relief in kids. 

For more information

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - pain relief for children

Victorian Poisons Information Centre

RCH Kids Health Info Podcast - Head injuries

RCH Kids Health Info Podcast - Viruses and fevers

RCH Kids Health Info Podcast - Headaches and tummy aches

Hand, foot and mouth disease is one of those things that seems to always be "going around". In fact, it's one of our most asked about topics.

In this episode, Lexi speaks with Dr Gabrielle Haeusler, an infectious diseases specialist, to understand the signs of HFMD and discuss some prevention and treatment strategies.

Click here to read our RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet on Hand, foot and mouth disease.

When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, it has a profound impact on their life and family. Diabetes requires strict management every single day. Added to that burden is the confusion and misunderstanding that others might have about the disease and its cause. In this episode, Margie and Lexi are joined by Professor Fergus Cameron, Director of Endocrinology and Diabetes at The Royal Children's Hospital, and Sarah, whose son Finn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 15 months of age. Together they explore the medical aspects of Type 1 diabetes, what it means for children getting on with learning, play and life, and what the future holds with advances in diabetes management. 

For more information, including the warning signs of diabetes in children, please see our Kids Health Info fact sheet on diabetes.

The Royal Children's Hospital has a dedicated website for children and families living with diabetes.

You can also learn more about living with diabetes at the Diabetes Victoria website.

Growing up can be tiring work. But what's the difference between general tiredness in children and young people, and relentless fatigue that turns the simplest things into a challenge? Dr Lexi Frydenberg is joined Dr Colette Reveley, a paediatrician in the Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, to unpack the mysteries of chronic fatigue syndrome. They chat about typical symptoms and how chronic fatigue is diagnosed. They also provide advice about the management of chronic fatigue syndrome and where parents can go for help.

For more information and support, see:

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Emerge Australia

Ah-choo! It feels like children everywhere are coughing and sneezing their way through this winter. So is it worse than usual? And what is 'RSV'? In this episode, Anthea and Margie are joined by paediatrician Dr Suzanne Boyce to chat about the most common respiratory viruses going around. They talk through the symptoms of COVID-19, RSV and flu, how to know when to seek help and the best ways to stop children from getting sick in the first place.

Helpful resources

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Influenza (the flu)

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Bronchiolitis

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Coronavirus COVID-19

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Cough

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Croup

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Fever in children

RCH Kids Health Info podcast - Viruses and fevers, why do kids get sick so often?

RCH Kids Health Info podcast - Cough, croup and wheeze

GP respiratory clinics (Victoria, Australia)

Mealtimes can be a stressful experience when you've got a little person who pushes away their plate. Especially when you've put a lot of effort into a wholesome meal or the rest of the family is ready to eat. In this episode, Lexi and Anthea are joined by special guest Dr Kathleen McGrath, a paediatric gastroenterologist with a special interest in child nutrition. Together they pick though the common reasons for fussy eating, whether there's a health risk if your child doesn't seem to be eating enough, what you can do to get them enjoying more foods, and where to get help if you're worried that things aren't improving.

Helpful resources:

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet: Nutrition babies and toddlers

Raising Children Network - healthy eating habits

RCH National Child Health Poll - Ready made baby foods: Do parents know the facts?

As more children return to fields, courts and ovals around the country, common sports injuries and accidents are on the rise. What is the best first aid for sports injuries and how do you know when to go to emergency? Margie and Anthea are joined by Dr Peter Barnett, an emergency doctor at the RCH with an interest in sports medicine and Greg Cull, a physiotherapist at the RCH, to chat about managing sports injuries and supporting children to get safely back to all-important physical activity.

Helpful resources:

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - ankle sprains

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - head injury

Kids Health Info Podcast episode - Was that bump a head injury?

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - fractures

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - mouth injuries

Kids Health Info Podcast episode - Brushing up on healthy teeth

Raising Children Network: RICER first aid for sprains, strains and fractures

Sadly, burns are still a common injury in childhood. To coincide with National Burns Safety Awareness Month, hosts Anthea and Lexi are joined by Warwick Teague, surgeon, clinical burns lead and Director of Trauma at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Warwick gives us the absolute must-do when it comes to burns first aid (hint: it involves a lot of cool running water) and explains the steps we can all take to prevent burns happening in the first place.

For more information:

RCH Kids Health Info Fact Sheet: Burns - prevention and first aid

Influenza, or the 'flu', has almost disappeared for the last two years. But it's back, and already bringing children to hospital for treatment.

In this episode, Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Dr Margie Danchin as our expert guest to discuss the flu. As well as being a paediatrician at the RCH, and regular host of the this podcast, Margie is an expert in immunisation and a research leader in vaccine uptake. So, there's no better person to discuss why and how to get the vaccine, and answer those common questions and concerns parents have about the flu vaccine.

Helpful links:

RCH Kids Health Info - influenza vaccine

Why does my child need a flu shot? (National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance)

2022 Influenza vaccine fact sheet from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance

Ausvax Safety

ATAGI - clinical advice on influenza vaccines 2022

RCH TV - A child's guide to hospital: Immunisations

Good dental health has huge benefits for our general wellbeing and quality of life, and it starts the moment that very first tooth pops through in babies.

In this episode we're joined by special guest Dr Mihiri Silva, a paediatric dentist from The Royal Children's Hospital. If you've ever wondered when and how to start brushing teeth, how tooth decay happens, or what to do if a tooth gets knocked out, Mihiri has these answers and plenty more pearls of wisdom!

Helpful resources:

RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - dental care

RCH Kids Health Info - dental care video

Raising Children Network - dental care for babies

Australian Government - Child Dental Benefits Schedule

RCH TV - A Child's Guide to Hospital: Dentistry