Full body

The flu (influenza) is not the same as having a bad cold. The flu can be a serious infection. Flu immunisation every year gives the best protection.

Cerebral palsy (CP) affects children in different ways. If you have found out your child has CP, your journey might be different from what you had planned. There are services to help your child with CP to reach their potential. Each child and family's journey is different. 

Fevers are common in tamariki (children). Fever by itself does not tell you whether your child is seriously sick. Even an ordinary cold can cause a high fever.

Nuclear medicine kidney scans check on kidney size, function and signs of kidney scarring which may be caused by repeated urinary tract infections.

Ultrasound is very useful for looking at soft parts of the body such as the kidneys and bladder.

A micturating cysto-urethrogram (MCU) is an x-ray test of the bladder as it fills and empties.

Activity is just as important for your baby or young child as it is for older tamariki (children) - it helps them to learn and grow. Check out some resources to support young tamariki to sit less, move more and sleep well.

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.

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 local doctor 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 children are only partly aroused or woken from deep sleep. They can be very frightening for parents and carers.