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

Copyright: ampyang / 123RF Stock Photo

Anaesthesia & Children

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.

Capsule Endoscopy In Children

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.

Cerebral Palsy & Stem Cell Treatments

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

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.

Colonoscopy In Children

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.

Constipation Treatment

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)

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

Crohn's Disease Treatment

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.

Dimethicone Lotion For Treating Head Lice

4% dimethicone lotion is a very effective head lice treatment that a health professional can prescribe.

Epidural Analgesia

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

Flexible Bronchoscopy In Children

Flexible bronchoscopy helps doctors diagnose and manage medical conditions that affect the airways. Find out more about what a bronchoscopy involves.

Gastroscopy In Children

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.

Giving Insulin To Children With Diabetes

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.

Grommets

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

Home Oxygen For Infants

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

IV Line (Cannula)

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.

Liver Biopsy In Children

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.

Morphine Infusion

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.

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

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

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

Tongue Tie

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).

Tonsillectomy & Adenotonsillectomy

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

Having A Tonsillectomy Or Adenotonsillectomy

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

Tube Feeding

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.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

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 Conditioner For Treating Head Lice

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.

Your Child's Arm Plaster

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints are used to treat fractures. They allow fractures time to rest and heal.

Your Child's Leg Plaster

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints are used to treat fractures. They allow fractures time to rest and heal.

Home Oxygen - More Detail

Home Oxygen - What Else Do I Need To Know?