Treatments & Procedures

For information about a range of treatments, procedures and operations such as having tonsils and adenoids removed, grommets inserted, and anaesthetic. If your child is having a procedure, you might also find the section Coping with treatment and hospital useful. 

A young child in a hospital bed having treatment

A liver biopsy involves taking a very small sample of liver tissue using a needle. The sample will be sent to the lab for testing. Find out more about what is involved in a liver biopsy.

A capsule endoscopy is a procedure that looks inside the digestive tract. Capsule endoscopies help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions. Find out more about what a capsule endoscopy involves.

A gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) is a procedure that looks inside the upper part of the digestive tract from the mouth to just beyond the stomach. Gastroscopies help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions. Find out more about what a gastroscopy involves.

A colonoscopy (lower endoscopy) is a procedure that looks inside the lower part of the digestive tract (bowel). Colonoscopies help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions. Find out more about what a colonoscopy involves.

When your child has a general anaesthetic, an anaesthetist will give them medicine to make them unaware and unconscious. You have an important role in preparing your child for their anaesthetic so that their experience is as positive as possible.

Scientists are developing stem cell therapies for the replacement or repair of damaged tissues such as nerves, muscle and other parts of the body. Doctors and scientists are researching stem cell therapy and looking at the best ways to use stem cells in cerebral palsy.  

Circumcision is the operation to remove the foreskin. Circumcision is not risk free. It's important to find out about the potential risks as well as potential benefits when considering circumcision.

The aim is for your child to do 1 soft formed poo every day. You can try some simple measures first for your child's constipation. If those don't work, your child will need help from laxatives.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.

The aims of treatment for Crohn's disease are to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, make sure your child is growing well and has the vitamins and minerals they need. Some tamariki (children) may need to see a dietitian as part of their treatment.

4 percent (4%) dimethicone lotion is a very effective head lice treatment that your family doctor can prescribe.

An intravenous line (IV line) is a short, small plastic tube that the healthcare team may put into your child's vein using a needle. They remove the needle and leave the plastic tube in place so they can use medicines to treat your child.

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

Children and young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus need insulin therapy to replace the insulin that the body can no longer produce. Children and young people with type 2 diabetes may also need insulin.

Your child's doctor may recommend grommets if your child has glue ear that won't clear up, or has frequent ear infections.

Some pēpi (babies) will need home oxygen to help with their breathing.

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.

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.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a permanent neurosurgical operation. SDR reduces spasticity (stiffness) in the legs of tamariki/children with cerebral palsy. 

Tongue tie is a condition that involves a small piece of tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This is called the frenulum. When a baby's frenulum is short or tight it can stop their tongue from moving properly. This is called a tongue tie. Tongue tie may cause a problem with breastfeeding for some pēpi (babies).

Find out what tonsils and adenoids are and why children sometimes need to have them removed. 

Find out what to expect before, during and after your child's tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy.

Tube feeding generally involves delivering a liquid feed through the nose (nasal tube) or stomach (gastrostomy tube). Tube feeding helps your child to meet their nutritional needs when they are not able to eat or drink enough by mouth.

The aims of treatment for ulcerative colitis are to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, make sure your child is growing well and has the vitamins and minerals they need. Some tamariki (children) may need to see a dietitian as part of their treatment.

Wet combing with cheap conditioner and a fine-tooth head lice (nit) comb is an effective way to find and remove head lice, if done properly.

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints allow your child's broken bone time to rest and heal.

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints allow the fracture time to rest and heal.