Child health

Our data-rich environment and advanced -omics technology are revolutionising physiological research

Nicolette A Hodyl BSc, PhD, GradCert(Biostat) · Beverly Muhlhausler BSc, PhD

Health care practitioners and consumers should be aware of the potential for heavy metal toxicity

Anselm Wong MB BS, FACEM, DipTox · Paul Dargan MB BS, FRCP, FRCPE · Zeff Koutsogiannis MB BS, FACEM · Jenni Sokol MB BS, FRACP, FCICM · Jayshree Ramkrishna MD, FRANZCOG, DDU · Shaun L Greene MB ChB, MSc(MedTox), FACEM

At the hospital, we are so far downstream that we are practically out to sea. Essentially, we patch the kids up, keep them from dying, and make an attempt at educating the child’s parents about what has happened and why

Victoria C Smith BBiomedSc, MB BS (final year student)

Breastmilk banking provides an alternative to infant formula, not a substitute for mother’s own milk

Vikram Palit MB BS, BMedSc · Gillian F Opie MB BS, IBCLC, FRACP

“without the signal that the HKC gives to parents … children will continue to miss out on preventive health activities”

Karyn E Alexander MB ChB, FRACGP, MPH · Danielle Mazza MD, FRACGP, DRANZCOG

The Aboriginal Maternity Group Practice Program significantly improved neonatal outcomes for babies in south metropolitan Perth

Christina Bertilone MB BS, FRACGP, MPH · Suzanne McEvoy FAFPHM, MAppEpid, PhD

The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in remote Indigenous children is significant, much of it undetected

Kathryn V Roberts MB BS, FRACP MPHTM · Graeme P Maguire MB BS, FRACP, PhD · Alex Brown BMed, MPH, PhD · David N Atkinson MB BS, MPH · Bo Remenyi MB BS, FRACP · Gavin Wheaton MB BS, FRACP, FCSANZ · Marcus Ilton MB BS, FRACP · Jonathan Carapetis MB BS, PhD, FAAHMS

Parents have little difficulty getting same-day GP appointments for their mildly ill children

Gary L Freed BA, MD, MPH · Amie Bingham MPH, BSc, BA · Amy R Allen BSc(Hons), GradDipAlcohol OtherDrugStudies · Michele Freed · Lena A Sanci MB BS, FRACGP, PhD · Neil Spike MB BS, FRACGP

Heatwave conditions correlate with increased heat exhaustion, sunburn and contact burns in kids

Lisa Martin RN, MPubHealth · Sally A Burrows BMath, GradDipMedStat · Fiona M Wood FRACS

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are toxic and should not be given to children to play with

Michael J Barrett MB, MRCPI · Franz E Babl MD, MPH

In violating children’s basic rights, we seriously compromise their mental and emotional health and normal development

Gillian Triggs LLB, LLM, PhD

The detention of asylum seeker children must stop now

Nicholas J Talley MD, PhD, FRACP · Karen J Zwi FRACP, MRCP, MSc

A summary of a position paper for Australian and New Zealand practitioners

Philip N Britton BMedSci, MB BS, FRACP · Keith Eastwood DrPH, MAppEpi, BAppSci · Bruce J Brew MB BS, MD, FRACP · Yusuf Nagree MB BS, FACEM, MBA(E) · Cheryl A Jones MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP

The first major review of outcomes for young people using mental health services at headspace centres

Debra J Rickwood BA(Hons), PhD, FAPS · Kelly R Mazzer PhD · Nic R Telford MSocSc, BSocSc · Alexandra G Parker PhD, MPsychol(Clin), BA(Hons) · Chris J Tanti BSW · Patrick D McGorry PhD, FRCP, FRANZCP

In reply: Evidence is needed that medical intervention does more good than harm for less than severe impairment

Jon N Jureidini MB BS, PhD, FRANZCP

Addressing a critical period with thoughtful research and imagination

Murray G Williams

A more comprehensive evaluation of outcomes is needed

Karyn E Alexander MB ChB, MPH · Bianca Brijnath PhD, BA(Hons) · Danielle Mazza MD, FRACGP, DRANZCOG

Long-term follow-up is essential

Rae Thomas PhD · Christopher B Del Mar MD, FRACGP, FAFPHM

Children with autism spectrum disorders may not be diagnosed as early as possible and desirable

Catherine A Bent BPsySc(Hons) · Cheryl Dissanayake PhD · Josephine Barbaro PhD

Antibiotics are still prescribed too frequently for many respiratory infections in young children

Ruby Biezen BSc, MAppSc · Allan J Pollack MB BS(Hons), FRACS, MPH(PP) · Christopher Harrison BPsych(Hons), MSocHealth · Bianca Brijnath PhD, BA(Hons) · Danilla Grando MAppSc, PhD, MASM · Helena C Britt BA, PhD · Danielle Mazza MD, MB BS, FRACGP

The case against immigration detention is irrefutable

on behalf of the J'Accuse Coalition and Doctors for Refugees*

Tropical fruits are undeniably delicious but the quest for their flesh can be dangerous

Joel Negin PhD · Pavle Vizintin MIH, BSc(Hons) · Patrick Houasia MB BS, FICS(Orth) · Alexandra L C Martiniuk PhD

A narrow view of young adults’ health issues limits our ability to engage with young people

Melissa S-L Kang MB BS, MCH

In reply: The supporting evidence is strong

John W Toumbourou · Kypros Kypri · Sandra C Jones

Reassuring findings show the seasonal influenza vaccines recommended for use in young children are safe

Nicholas J Wood MB BS, FRACP PhD · Chris C Blyth MB BS, FRACP · Gabriela A Willis MB BS, BSc(Hons), DCH · Peter Richmond MB BS, FRACP, MRCP(UK) · Michael S Gold MD, FCP, FRACP · Jim P Buttery FRACP, MSc, MD · Nigel Crawford MB BS, FRACP, PhD · Michael Crampton MB BS, FRACGP · J Kevin Yin MB BS, MPH(Hons), PhD · Maria Yui Kwan Chow PhD, MIPH · Kristine Macartney MB BS(Hons), MD, FRACP