Kids Health Info: Recent Episodes
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Based on the hugely popular RCH Kids Health Info fact sheets, the Kids Health Info podcast explores common topics and concerns with experts in children's health. Your hosts Margie Danchin, Lexi Frydenberg and Anthea Rhodes are all paediatricians and mums, so they know first-hand what keeps parents up at night. Every episode features guest experts in a range of child and adolescent health specialties, and lots of practical tips and advice. To view the Kids Health Info fact sheets visit: www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/
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 sprainsRCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - head injuryKids Health Info Podcast episode - Was that bump a head injury?RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - fracturesRCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - mouth injuriesKids Health Info Podcast episode - Brushing up on healthy teethRaising 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 vaccineWhy 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 SurveillanceAusvax SafetyATAGI - clinical advice on influenza vaccines 2022RCH 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 careRCH Kids Health Info - dental care videoRaising Children Network - dental care for babiesAustralian Government - Child Dental Benefits ScheduleRCH TV - A Child's Guide to Hospital: Dentistry
Witnessing a seizure can be a frightening experience for parents and carers, and raises so many questions. What's going on when a child has a seizure and what could it mean for their ongoing health? Does it mean they have epilepsy?To make sense of seizures, Margie and Lexi are joined by Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Neurologist at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. As well as understanding seizure types, Andrew has some practical first aid tips, and discusses the process of finding the causes of seizures, including epilepsy.Helpful resources:RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Febrile SeizuresRCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Seizures - safety issues and how to helpRCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - EpilepsyRCH Neurology Department - About Epilepsy
A restful sleep is so important for children’s health.But sometimes, a stuffy nose or blocked passages get in the way of a good sleep.In this episode we’re joined by Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, Dr Eric Levi, to find out why snooze turns to snoring, and what can be done to get children back on the path to sleep success.For more information, check out these helpful resources:RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Childhood obstructive sleep apnoeaRCH Kids Health Info fact sheet - Hay feverRaising Children Network - SnoringHow to use nasal sprays videoIf you found this podcast helpful, please leave us a review, and thanks for listening.
**a quick correction:During the conversation Margie says the twice-weekly rapid antigen testing will be for the first week of term. What Margie meant to say was that it will be for the first four weeks and then reassessed. We apologise for the confusion.As schools return to in-classroom learning next week, we know that students, families, and teachers are busy preparing for the term ahead and may have some questions about how to keep safe this school year.In this episode, our hosts Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Margie Danchin explain what’s being done to improve safety and prevent transmission in schools, and what surveillance testing with rapid antigen tests involves. They also chat about the benefits of kids going back to face-to-face learning and how families can manage some of the return-to-school nerves their children may be experiencing.If you’re wondering how best to prepare your child for the return to school, you can check out Dr Eric Levi's helpful video on how to do a rapid antigen test on a child and resources from the Victorian Government including a video made by our team here The Royal Children's Hospital.
For many of us, the new year has not started as we had hoped. With the Omicron variant so prevalent in the community and the start to the school year just around the corner, many parents may be wondering what the latest news is with COVID-19 and children.In this podcast episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Dr Sarah McNab, Director of General Medicine at The Royal Children’s Hospital to unpack the current situation with COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations in Victoria, how the Omicron variant is affecting children, the importance of vaccination, and what a Code Brown in Victorian hospitals means for the community.To keep up to date with the latest information about COVID-19, visit our collection of COVID-19 resources, including webinars, podcasts, fact sheets and more.Useful links:Kids Health Info fact sheet – Vaccination and needle phobiaFacebook Live - COVID-19 vaccinations for five to 11 year olds: Your questions answered
Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11 year olds? Our latest RCH National Child Health Poll found that 30% of Australian parents of children aged five to 11 years were undecided about COVID vaccination for their child, with questions around the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Following the Government’s approval of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for children aged five years and above, join RCH paediatricians Dr Anthea Rhodes and Dr Margie Danchin as they answer your questions about vaccinating your child. This event was recorded Thursday 16 December 2021 and is also available on the RCH website, rch.org.au. For more info:https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-information-children-and-teenagershttps://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-your-covid-19-vaccinationhttps://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-12/Fact%20sheet-COVID19-vaccinatoin%20for-children.pdf
Have you had the experience of holding a baby and they just won’t stop crying? Soothing an unsettled baby can be a trying task for anyone, particularly new parents. Crying is a baby’s way of communicating with us, but when the crying doesn’t stop, how do we know when to seek help?In this episode we’re joined by expert paediatrician, Dr Valerie Sung, who works in the RCH unsettled babies clinic, to go through the common experiences for parents with unsettled babies and when and where to find help.As always, if you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review so that other families can find out about our show.Thanks for listening.Freely available resources· RCH Kids Health Information fact sheet: Sleep problems – babies and toddlers· MCRI Sleep Podcast by Prof Harriet Hiscock and A/Prof Emma Sciberras· Raising Children Network Babies sleep· Red Nose Safe Infant Sleep Practices· The Maternal and Child Health phone app - Better Health Channel
Many families have questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but may not know where to start. It can be a complex topic, and because it is a spectrum, there is huge variation.In this episode we’re joined by expert Paediatrician Dr Deb Marks, who sees patients with Autism every day, to go through common questions about what Autism is, what signs parents can look out for, how to seek a diagnosis and where to go for help.Useful linksRCH Kids Health Info Fact Sheet - Autism Spectrum DisorderRaising Children’s NetworkAmaze 1300 308 699Autism Spectrum Australia 1800 ASPECT (1800 277328)Victoria State Government, Department of Education and Training: AutismAs always, if you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review so that other families can find out about our show.Thanks for listening.
Toddlers and preschoolers bring so much joy and fun to family life. But there are also those times when their behaviour causes a lot of stress for everyone, whether it's in the supermarket aisle or at the dinner table!In this episode we unpack what's behind toddler tantrums, fussy eating and more, with Dr Billy Garvey, a developmental and behavioural paediatrician from The Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.Billy, along with hosts and paediatricians Dr Anthea Rhodes and Dr Lexi Frydenberg, have lots of practical tips and insights for parents and the community. For some extra reading, take a look at the Raising Children Network's website for tips on toddler behaviour and preschooler behaviour.
Whether it's for a vaccine or for medical care, nobody especially likes having needles. But for some children and teens, it can be a big hurdle to overcome. And now, with the COVID-19 vaccine being rolled out to more and more Australians, having an injection is something we're all too familiar with.In this episode, we're joined by two special guests - Sonja Elia, an Immunisation Nurse Practitioner and head of the RCH Immunisation Drop-In Centre, and Dr Amanda Stock, a Paediatrician and Emergency Physician from the RCH.Find out what strategies and techniques are available to children and families to manage anxiety about needles, and what help is available from health professionals.Useful linksIn the show, Sonja talked about the Be Positive video guides, made right here at the RCH.And, Amanda finds the Meg Foundation website really helpful for families.As always, if you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review so that other families can find out about our show.Thanks for listening.
In this episode, hosted by Dr Lexi Frydenberg, we bring you the latest on what's happening with children and COVID-19 in Victoria.Our special guest is Dr Sarah McNab, Director of General Medicine at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.Lexi and Sarah cover:* the current situation with COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations * how COVID-19 is affecting children and teenagers * COVID-19 and children with asthma * how best to care for your child if they test positive to COVID-19 * booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised children
If you're looking for more information, The Royal Children's Hospital has created a collection of online resources for parents, including webinars, podcasts, videos and fact sheets.Recorded 15th October, 2021.
It seems like allergies affect so many children these days. In fact, our home town of Melbourne is sometimes called the allergy capital of the world.So what really is an allergy, how does it show up, and what is anaphylaxis?And what does it all mean for children with an allergy?To answer these questions and more, we're joined by Dr Joanne Smart, Director of Allergy and Immunology at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.Looking for more information? We've collected some online resources here:RCH Kids Health Info Fact SheetsAllergic and Anaphylactic ReactionsHivesHay feverPeanut and tree nut allergyRCH Department of Allergy and Immunology Parent information sheetsInformation from The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)Egg allergyCows milk allergyAction PlansHow to give EpiPenHow to give AnapenAllergy and Anaphylaxis Australia: Schooling and Childcare
It’s common for children to experiment with gender roles throughout childhood. However, up to two per cent of Australians identify as transgender or gender diverse. Being trans or gender diverse is part of the natural spectrum of human diversity.In this episode, we sit down with Associate Professor Michelle Telfer, Director the Gender Service at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. As well as understanding a little more about just what gender diversity is, we cover how parents can support their children and others through their journey and where to seek help if your child is experiencing distress.You can find more information through the RCH Gender Service and our Kids Health Info factsheet on gender dysphoria. Further information and support can also be found through Transcend, queerspace, minus18 and Parents of Gender Diverse Children.We love to hear from our listeners with their questions. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram pages for opportunities to be involved in upcoming episodes. Visit our website to find out how you can sign up to our newsletter and keep up-to-date with our latest episodes.
The Royal Children's Hospital recently streamed a live webinar on our Facebook page - all about the physical effects of COVID-19 in children.The webinar received so much positive feedback from the community, we're replaying it here on the Kids Health Info podcast.What's more, it features two of our podcast hosts - Dr Anthea Rhodes and Associate Professor Margie Danchin!They're joined by Dr Sarah McNab, Professor Andrew Steer and Dr Shidan Tosif to discuss the Delta variant, COVID illness in children, vaccines and much more.You can also watch the full video replay on YouTube.
Asthma is one of the most common childhood conditions, in fact one in four children in Australia will be diagnosed with asthma. But are all breathing concerns in children, including wheeze, asthma? For this episode we're joined by Dr Shivanthan Shanthikumar, a paediatric respiratory specialist at the RCH, who helps decipher what exactly asthma is, how it’s managed and how asthma can change over childhood.You can find more information on our Kids Health Info website including factsheets, information on how to use spacers and a range of videos. You can also find more information on the Better Health Channel, National Asthma Council Australia, Asthma Australia, ASCIA and the Community Asthma Program in Victoria’s western region and Victoria’s northern region.We love to hear from our listeners with their questions. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram pages for opportunities to be involved in upcoming episodes. Visit our website to find out how you can sign up to our newsletter and keep up-to-date with our latest episodes.
Anxiety is a normal response to situations, in fact one in four people will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. But what do you do when your child or teenager is suffering from anxiety, and it isn’t going away? How do you help them when they won’t talk to you about it? In this episode we do a deep dive into anxiety in our teens and children with special guest and psychologist Dr Zeffie Poulakis. We chat about how to recognise when the anxiety is becoming more than a response to a situation, how to encourage your young person to open up and where to seek help.For more information, you can listen to our episode last year on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, you can also find factsheets on our website on the mental health of adolescents and infants and young children. There are also great resources on Raising Children Network, Kids Help Line, Headspace, Youth Beyond Blue, ReachOut, the BRAVE self-help program and eheadspace.If your young person needs immediate help, they can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800 or please call 000.We love to hear from our listeners with their questions. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram pages for opportunities to be involved in upcoming episodes. Visit our website to find out how you can sign up to our newsletter and keep up-to-date with our latest episodes.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate our lives, the focus has now shifted to the vaccine and its role in helping the world return to a new normal. On the back of the COVID-19 vaccine being approved in Australia for children aged 12 and over, right now is a timely opportunity to chat about the vaccine in kids. Is it safe? How does it work? Why do children need to be vaccinated? Host, paediatrician, and mother of four, Dr Anthea Rhodes sits down with Dr Margie Danchin. Margie is a paediatrician and mother of four herself, a researcher in vaccine uptake, and also sits on the COVID-19 vaccine ATAGI group on vaccine safety, confidence and evaluation. Together, they cover a range of common questions and more importantly common fears when it comes to vaccinating children, answer some listener questions, and share their own thoughts about their children getting the vaccine when they're eligible.We love to hear from our listeners with their questions. Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram pages for opportunities to be involved in upcoming episodes. Our newsletter has also launched today! Visit our website to find out how you can sign up and keep up-to-date with our latest episodes.If you found this episode helpful, please share this important information with your friends and family. Spreading factful information is more important than ever in ensuring our community has the right information about the COVID-19 vaccine.There are a number of great resources online mentioned in this podcast episode including the current eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccine in children, information about the Pfizer vaccine, guidance for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy and resources for adolescents who are considering getting vaccinated.
With traditional cigarettes in decline, the e-cigarette or 'vape' has rapidly filled the void.Boasting attractive flavours and a promise of no harmful chemicals, vaping is sometimes perceived as a safe alternative to smoking. Is it?In this episode, Doctors Anthea Rhodes and Lexi Frydenberg are joined by Doctor Moya Vandeleur, a paediatric respiratory specialist, to get the facts on vaping and e-cigarettes.The discussion covers the health risks for developing bodies, the presence of addictive chemicals like nicotine and THC as well as other potentially toxic additives, how vaping can put young people on the path to smoking, and importantly, how to start a conversation with your child about e-cigarette use.For more information check out our Kids Health Info fact sheet on e-cigarettes and teens or visit our RCH National Child Health Poll website to view our poll on vaping. You'll find lots of helpful facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)If you think this podcast is helpful, please rate and review us, to help others discover our show. Thanks for listening.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Changes in eating habits can be very common in childhood but in some instances these changes can be the early signs of disordered eating and eating disorders.In this podcast episode we sit down with Dr Michele Yeo, a paediatrician at the RCH who specialises in adolescent health, and in particular eating disorders. Michele discusses how parents can spot the signs of an eating disorder, what to do if you think your child has an eating disorder and how to tackle the societal norms of beauty standards and being thin.You can find more information about eating disorders at our Kids Health Info website, Raising Children’s Network, Feed your instinct, Eating Disorders Victoria, Inside Out and the Butterfly Foundation.Please leave us a review if you found this episode helpful.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
In this episode, hosts Dr Margie Danchin and Dr Lexi Frydenberg tackle the big topic of head injuries and concussion with special guest Professor Vicki Anderson, neuropsychologist and Head of Psychology at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.Our expert team discuss the signs and symptoms of head injury, how it should be treated, and break down some of the most common myths.With lots of media interest in this topic right now, we thought we'd give our listeners a chance to join in the discussion. So, this episode was recorded and streamed live on the RCH Melbourne Facebook page.We want to say a big thanks to everyone who tuned in live and sent in their questions!If you're a parent, carer or coach, make sure you download the Head Check App.You can find further information with general advice related to head injury on our Kids Health Info fact sheet.And we have a specific fact sheet that gives advice around returning to school and sport.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Did you know 15 per cent of primary school children have some difficulties with learning? In this episode hosts Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Anthea Rhodes chat through what a learning difficulty is, if learning difficulties affect speech and language, and how to work with your child’s school to support their learning. Our special guest is Associate Professor Jill Sewell, a paediatrician who coaches parents through what to look out for at a young age and the pathways available to them.You can find more information about learning difficulties at AUSPELD, Learning Difficulties Australia, and Raising Children Network. Further information to assist children’s health can be found on our Kids Health Information website.As always, don't forget to leave us a review if you found this episode helpful.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
When you're a parent or carer of a child or children in need of lots of medical care, the healthcare system can be both a saviour and a source of frustration.Kate Jones and Mandy Hose, hosts of the popular Too Peas in a Podcast, know just what it's like to deal with the trauma of diagnosis, being overloaded with medical information and being there for their children through it all.In this episode Kate and Mandy join Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Anthea Rhodes, to share their journey of coping with and conquering adversity, of rallying friends and professionals around them, and of being strong advocates for their children. Their stories are powerful examples for any mum, dad or carer.There's lots more from Mandy and Kate at Too Peas in a Podcast.They also wanted listeners to know about the Association for Children with a Disability.You'll find more information on parenting children with disability on the Raising Children websiteAnd the Choosing Wisely initiative offers practical tips on how to advocate for you and your children in the healthcare system.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, has helped start a national discussion about child grooming and sexual assault. While it's a difficult discussion to have, it is an incredibly important one for parents.In this episode, Anthea and Margie sit down with Associate Professor Anne Smith, a paediatrician at the RCH who has more than 30 years’ experience dealing with child abuse. What is grooming and how does it start? What are the warning signs to look out for? And what can parents do if they suspect someone may be grooming their child?Content warning: this episode isn't suitable for children, and it may bring about painful memories or emotions for listeners.If you found this episode triggering or confronting, there is help available at 1800 RESPECT.You can also find further support through Lifeline, Kids Help Line, the Centre Against Sexual Assault and Crime Stoppers.Further information about grooming can be found on the Department of Education and Training’s website, Raising Children website, and ThinkUKnow.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Is your child still not walking or talking? Are you worried this may be due an underlying problem? In this episode hosts Dr Margie Danchin and Dr Anthea Rhodes sit down with Associate Professor Gehan Roberts to understand how development varies in every single child and if there is an order in which development should occur. We also touch on myths around birth order and gender, and provide practical tips for parents on how they can support their child in reaching developmental milestones.You can find more information about development and language development on the Raising Children Network. There is also a support page for parents on the Victorian Government website.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Recognising Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) isn’t easy, and some parents may be wondering if their child’s behaviour or poor concentration is something to be concerned about. In this episode hosts Dr Margie and Dr Lexi sit down with Associate Professor Daryl Efron to go through the signs of ADHD and what it means for kids, both at home and school. There's an honest and insightful discussion about treatment, including medication. And this episode provides a message of hope and positivity for anyone concerned by a diagnosis of ADHD.You can find more information about ADHD and ways to help children at school and home on our Kids Health Information website.As always, don’t forget to leave us a review if you found this episode helpful.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
In this episode, hosts Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Anthea Rhodes chat all things puberty with endocrinologist Dr Michele O’Connell including how to have ‘the talk’ with your kids and what it means if your child may be going through puberty a little bit earlier, or even later than their friends. The team also discuss puberty in children with disabilities or differences.You can find more information about puberty on Raising Children Network, Amaze for children with autism, and Puberty and Special Girls.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
The year 2020 was challenging for most, particularly our younger generations with more children suffering from anxiety than ever before.In our first episode for the new year, we chat to Dr Ric Haslam, Director of Mental Health, about how to talk to teens, what signs to look out for in each age group and next steps if tools like meditation or exercise don’t work.You can find more information about mental health in infants and young children, and adolescents on our Kids Health Information website. Further information can also be found on Beyond Blue, Smiling Mind and Raising Children Network.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Headaches and tummy aches are never fun, and when your child has one it's normal to be worried about the cause, or wonder how to stop the pain. In this episode Dr Amanda Stock from our Emergency Department talks about the physical and non-physical causes of headaches and tummy aches, how to treat them at home and what you should do if you think something is not quite right.You can find more information about headaches and tummy aches on our Kids Health Information website.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
In this episode, Professor Sonia Grover, Gynaecology Director at the RCH sits down with hosts and paediatricians Margie Danchin and Anthea Rhodes to chat through all things gynae issues in young girls including tips for parents on how to treat vulvovaginitis at home, what to do if a child has vulval pain and what labial adhesions are.
You can find more information about vulvovaginitis and vulval care in children and teenagers on our Kids Health Information website.
Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Is my child’s eczema caused by allergies? Are molluscum contagious? What do you do if you think the rash is serious?These questions and more are answered as hosts Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Margie Danchin sit down with Associate Professor David Orchard, Director of Dermatology at the RCH.You can find further information about eczema, molluscum, hives, rashes, hand, foot and mouth and slapped check on our Kids Health Info website.Enjoying the RCH Kids Health Info podcast? Don't forget to leave us a review!Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Do you know the most effective ways to treat nits and lice, what causes school sores and if you can catch worms from your household pet? Hosts Anthea Rhodes and Lexi Frydenberg sat down with infectious diseases expert Dr Josh Osowicki to chat through all of the gross things kids seem to get, why they're so common and importantly, how you can treat them at home.
You can find further information on worms, school sores and ringworm on our Kids Health Information website. And check out the Better Health Channel website for information on head lice (nits).
Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Penis and foreskin care regularly tops the list of most visited RCH Kids Health Information fact sheets. In this episode, hosts and paediatricians Margie Danchin and Anthea Rhodes speak with Mike O'Brien, Chief of Surgery and Director of Urology at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Mike answers some of the common concerns that parents have and explains how boys should look after their penis. There's discussion on when treatment might be necessary and when to seek medical care. Plus, Mike answers common questions about circumcision.
You can read the Kids Health Information fact sheet on penis and foreskin care here.
Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Recognising common respiratory issues in kids can be challenging. What could be causing your child's cough and can you tell the difference when you hear one? In this episode, hosts Lexi Frydenberg and Margie Danchin talk through the specifics of cough, croup and wheeze – what’s what and when to worry, with special guest Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Respiratory Physician at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. We've got helpful information on asthma, including some educational videos on the Kids Health Information website.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
Constipation is common in kids, in fact 30 per cent of children will experience it. But what is the best way to treat it? In this episode Anthea and Lexi are joined by Associate Professor Sebastian King, surgeon and bowel specialist at the RCH to talk through how to recognise if it’s a problem, how you can treat it at home and bust some myths about whether laxatives or stimulants can make a bowel lazy.You can view our RCH Kids Health Info fact sheet on constipation for more information.Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
In this episode Lexi and Margie are joined by Dr Susie Gibb, paediatrician and head of the continence service at the RCH, to find out why children wet the bed, where to go for help, and how families can overcome bedwetting.You can view our RCH Kids Health Info bedwetting fact sheet for more information.
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Viral illnesses, like the common cold, seem to happen all the time in children. Why do they get a runny nose so often? Is it a sign of a weak immune system?Fever can be confusing for parents, too. What causes fever in children? Is it harming their body? When do you need to seek medical help?Anthea and Lexi put Associate Professor Mike Starr, paediatrician and infectious diseases expert, in the hot seat to find out.For more information, check out these RCH Kids Health Info fact sheets:Fever in childrenViral IllnessesPain relief for children
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In this episode we're discussing COVID-19. What do parents need to watch for? When should children be tested? How can you prepare children for the test? Hosts Margie Danchin and Anthea Rhodes cover these topics and more with special guest Dr Sarah McNab, Director of General Medicine at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.Useful links:Australians can stay informed about the latest COVID-19 information through the Australian Government Department of Health website. Our Kids Health Info factsheet for supporting your child through COVID-19 has a range of information you might find useful.Plus, the RCH has created some videos for both children and parents. They're available along with other COVID-19 information.Just want the video that prepares children for a COVID-19 test? You can watch it online!Don't forget to sign up to the Kids Health Info podcast newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes about the health topics you want to hear about.
The Royal Children's Hospital Kids Health Info podcast is here! In our brand new podcast we'll be discussing common health issues and concerns in children and adolescents, with expert guests from the RCH.Before we get into the health topics, we thought we should introduce the show's hosts: Margie Danchin, Lexi Frydenberg and Anthea Rhodes. In this get-to-know episode we put these three paediatricians on the spot to find out why they choose to work in children's health, share their experience of becoming mums, own up to some of their challenging moments as parents, and answer an all-important question: what's the one thing every child needs to thrive? Subscribe to keep up-to-date with future episodes, and if you need child health information at your fingertips, check out our popular Kids Health Info factsheets, at: www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/