All ages

A child's reactions to grief can depend on many things, including their developmental stage. Bereaved tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) will need ongoing attention, reassurance and support. Find out more about the common reactions to grief and ways to support tamariki at different ages and stages.

A sweat test is done to find out if your child has a condition called cystic fibrosis.

Nitrous oxide is also known as happy or laughing gas. It is a gas that can be used to help tamariki (children) with small scans or procedures that might be stressful or painful.

A morphine infusion is a pain relieving medicine your child receives continuously through a pump. Tamariki (children) usually have it after an operation. They can also have it for other reasons.

An epidural is a very effective method of pain control used both during and after major surgery to the chest, tummy and legs.

PCA stands for patient controlled analgesia. A PCA pump is a device that allows your child to give themselves a pre-set amount of pain medicine (usually morphine), as needed, by pressing a hand-held button.

Bronchiectasis is a chest disease. The airways in the lungs have become damaged and scarred. Once a person has bronchiectasis, they usually have it for life. Good treatment stops it getting worse and in very young tamariki (children), can reverse some of the disease.

School is really important for tamariki (children) with bronchiectasis. Teachers can make a significant difference.

Coughing is common in tamariki (children), especially when they are preschool age. A cough that lasts longer than 4 weeks may be a sign of more serious disease.

Finding your way through the sadness and pain of the loss of a precious child is the toughest of tasks.

Croup is a viral illness in young tamariki (children) which causes narrowing of the upper airways. Croup is often a mild illness but can quickly become serious, so don't hesitate to get medical help.

As a parent or caregiver, you know your child best. You can help staff to help your child cope with the procedure or surgery.

Parents are often the best judges of their child's pain. Listen to what they tell you and watch what they do. If worried or in doubt about your child's pain, talk to your usual health professional or if you are in hospital, a nurse or doctor.

Nightmares are bad dreams that are usually related to worries your child may have. Night terrors happen when tamariki (children) are only partly aroused or woken from deep sleep. They can be very frightening for parents and carers.

A listing of New Zealand support groups for disabilities, health impairments, special needs and disorders.

Head lice are small insects that live on the human scalp. They are common in tamariki (children) and spread easily.