• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • Serviced apartments and places to stay in HK
        • outdoor activities18 outdoor adventures in Hong Kong
        • Townplace Soho - barProperty Watch: An urban oasis in Soho
        • School news - new schools in Hong Kong, new curriculums, new facilities and more!What’s new on the school scene?
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • What to watch this month
        • Woman’s Hour PodcastGreat podcasts we are listening to!
        • outdoor activities18 outdoor adventures in Hong Kong
        • Mount Davis - viewHiking Ideas: A Mount Davis Meander
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
      • Kids Offers
        • School news - new schools in Hong Kong, new curriculums, new facilities and more!What’s new on the school scene?
        • Pregnancy scan image for web article on how to choose an obstetrician in Hong KongHow to choose an obstetrician
        • Baby spit upReflux in newborns: tips and treatment
        • public pools in Hong KongBest public pools for families
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • Home news: décor, furniture & more!
        • Townplace Soho - barProperty Watch: An urban oasis in Soho
        • Top furniture finds for your home office
        • Beautiful ginger jar lamps for your home
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • Mount Davis - viewHiking Ideas: A Mount Davis Meander
        • Gorgeous waterfalls around the world
        • Travel news: Places to stay and play
        • MongoliaWomen on a Mission take on Mongolia
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Vegetarian recipe: Vietnamese rice roll with quorn mince and bolognese sauce5 meat-free meal ideas to try
        • Indian-Restarants-New-Punjab-ClubTop Indian restaurants to try
        • Fagara Aperitivo - Hong Kong restaurantsNew nibbles: where to dine this month
        • Tasty Dessert Recipe: Bread Pudding
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • laser treatments hong kongHow to get super smooth skin
        • Tried & Tested: Body lotions we love
        • online shopping websites21 fashion websites shipping to HK
        • Mazu ResortwearFashion news: the latest launches
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Gyms in Hong Kong - best places for keeping fit8 great places to go to keep in shape
        • Pregnancy scan image for web article on how to choose an obstetrician in Hong KongHow to choose an obstetrician
        • menopause - symptoms and how to get helpManaging menopause: how to get help
        • heartAre you at risk of heart disease?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
      • Magazine
      • Advertise With Us
        • Mar-May 2021
        • Mar-May 2021 – $36 (Usual Price $48)
        • December – February 2021
        • DEC-FEB 2020 – $36 (USUAL PRICE $48)
      • View all
    Close
Home » Health & Fitness » Medical & Dental » 5 questions you should ask about your kids’ health

5 questions you should ask about your kids’ health

23 February, 2021 by Expat Living 6 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/5-questions-you-should-ask-about-your-kids-health/

We all want to do our best when it comes to our kids’ health, but there’s plenty to keep us on our toes. School brings them into contact with all sorts of bugs and germs and Hong Kong’s lifestyle and climate presents its own challenges. We talked to local doctors at some medical centres and outpatient clinics in Hong Kong about key paediatric medical issues to consider when it comes to keeping your children fighting fit.

Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners, kids' health, Hong Kong children's health, medical, Hong Kong Health, paediatrics
Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners say it’s important to make sure your child has regular physicals

Has my child had regular full physical examinations?

There are many benefits to doing a paediatric full physical examination for children from kindergarten age to early adolescence, according to Dr Charlene Kulenkampff of Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners. These include detecting disease and promoting health to giving advice on preventing future problems.

Dr Kulenkampff says a physical considers your child’s health history, looking at lifestyle habits such as diet, physical activity, hours of sleep, dental care, vaccinations and even screen time. School performance is also discussed to detect if there are underlying vision or hearing problems.

“A full physical exam is done at each visit,” she says. “This usually involves looking at growth parameters such as weight, height and blood pressure and then evaluating various systems like the ears, nose and throat, teeth, chest, heart, abdomen, skin and neurological system.”

A physical also includes ensuring the child’s vaccination schedule is up-to-date  and an assessment of your child’s diet. “Evaluation of a child’s diet is also vital as this dramatically influences their health, energy, concentration and immune system,” she says.

Dr Kulenkampff says some parents also request age appropriate screening blood tests as part of a physical. A blood sample allows evaluation of key organ function and vitamin status.

Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners
9F, Pacific House, 20 Queen’s Road, Central
2877 6068 | drlaurenbramley.com

OT & P Healthcare, kids health, paediatric doctors
Parents need to be vigilant when their child has a rash, according to OT & P Healthcare’s Dr James Lynch

When is a rash in my child a cause for concern?

Rashes are common in children and most are harmless and transient, says Dr James Lynch, a general practitioner based in the Discovery Bay clinic of OT&P Healthcare. A rash, which is a noticeable change in the texture or colour of the skin, has a number of possible causes. The most common is a virus, and other causes include bacteria, fungi and allergic reactions.

When to seek medical advice when your child has a rash is one of the most common kids’ health questions a parent asks. Most parents question when to seek medical advice if their child has a rash. Dr Lynch says it can be safe to take a wait and see approach if the child is otherwise well and there are no other obvious symptoms. In this case, keep an eye on the rash until you can see a doctor.

“If there is an associated fever, then Ibuprofen and Paracetamol can be given in an alternating regimen to control these symptoms,” he says. Dr Lynch says if your child has a fever of more than 38C, is vomiting, has diarrhea, is lethargic or generally unwell, you should take them to a doctor. The younger a child is, the sooner they should be seen, particularly if they are younger than 6 months old.

“If in doubt it is prudent to have a medical practitioner examine the child as the causes of rashes are so diverse,” he says.

OT & P Healthcare
Various locations in Hong Kong
2155 9055 | otandp.com

Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, kids' health, vaccinations
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital specialist Dr Eddie Cheung

Is my child’s vaccination schedule up-to-date?

When you have young children and you move countries it is often disruptive to your child’s vaccination schedule. One thing for expat parents to be mindful of with their kids’ health is that different countries or regions have different childhood immunisation programs.

Dr Eddie Cheung, a specialist in paediatrics at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road, stresses the need for vaccinations to ensure your child’s natural defences are increased so that their bodies can fight the invasion of various diseases.

Dr Cheung says a key kids’ health issue is for parents to be aware of the vaccination schedule for children from birth to 11 years in Hong Kong.

“The decision of which diseases to be included depends partly on the prevalence, or how common, a particular disease is in that locality,” he says. “In Hong Kong, as recommended by the Department of Health, children from birth to 11 years of age should receive vaccinations against 10 diseases.”

These include tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and pneumococcal infection. “There are many different types of vaccine on the market and parents should seek advice from doctors on the suitability and timing for their children,” Dr Cheung says. “Some vaccines, recommended in other countries, may also be available in Hong Kong. Parents can discuss with their paediatricians the indications and availability of such vaccines, and to see if they also want to get their children vaccinated.”

Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road
40 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong

3651 8808 | hkah.org.hk

Matilda International Hospital, kids health, tonsils, tonsillectomy,
Matilda International Hospital experts say problems with tonsils can cause all sorts of health problems in children

Does my child need their tonsils out?

This one is a classic kids’ health issue. But did you know that problems with your child’s tonsils could be the cause of sleeping problems and repeated throat infections? Tonsils, which are the lymphoid tissues on both sides of the throat, can be easily infected and swollen for people of all ages, including children. Usually most of us can recover from a case of tonsillitis with antibiotics and rest within a week.

However, some kids seem to be prone to getting the infection quite often, say Dr Terry Hung, ear, nose and throat specialist at Matilda International Hospital. In these cases the infection is accompanied with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, tiredness and bad breath. He says recurrent infections should be evaluated by a doctor who may recommend tonsil removal – a tonsillectomy – for children aged over 3. This involves the child being put under general anaesthesia for a 30-minute procedure. An overnight hospital stay is usually required, with a soft diet for 5-6 days. Dr Hung says in addition to removing the cause of repeated infection, the procedure can also help improve air flow and sleep quality for children who have obstructive sleep apnoea.

“Good hygiene practice is key to preventing throat infection as the source of tonsil infection is air-borne,” he says. “If any family member has a cold or a flu or an infection, wear a mask. In addition, small children should never share food at school.”

Matilda International Hospital
41 Mount Kellett Road, The Peak
2849 1500 | matilda.org | opd@matilda.org

Optimal Family Health, kids health, sleep, paediatric doctors in Hong Kong
Optimal Family Health’s Dr Nichola Salmond says getting enough sleep is vital for a child

Does my child get enough sleep?

“Kids’ sleep is important!” This is the message from Optimal Family Health‘s Dr Nichola Salmond, who says kids need ten to 11 hours sleep when they are between the ages of five and 12. She warns a lack of sleep can lead to growth issues and attention problems. A recent study also showed it increases your child’s risk of obesity, as the likelihood of a child becoming overweight lowered by 9 percent for each additional hour of sleep they got. Poor sleep can interfere with a child’s school performance, ability to focus and behaviour and can cause or mistakenly be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder.

“Often lack of sleep is just due to getting off to sleep too late and poor sleep habits,” Dr Salmond says. “Encourage early bedtimes and ban TV, mobiles and computers in bedrooms at night. Instead encourage a wind-down period with chatting or reading.”

She says another problem is interrupted sleep due to nocturnal cough and snoring. This can be due to allergic rhinitis, asthma and enlarged adenoids. “Allergic respiratory problems are common in Hong Kong due to air pollution, high concentrations of respiratory allergens and atypical infections such as mycoplasma,” Dr Salmond says.

Optimal Family Health
1903A The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central

2666 6300 | optimalfamilyhealth.com.hk


Want more advice and tips on keeping your kids healthy? Check out our Health & Fitness section.

Healthcare in Hong Kong: Everything you need to know

Categories: Editors Picks Health & Fitness Medical & Dental Trending Now Tags: Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Hong Kong Children S Health Hong Kong Health Matilda International Hospital Medical Optimal Family Health OT&P Healthcare

You May Also Like

Bullying in schools - MindnLife

Is your child being bullied?

CBD oil - health benefits

Natural Medicine: The Benefits of CBD

Dr Christopher Hui – respiratory specialist

On the Frontline of the Pandemic

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Hong Kong 🇭🇰

expatlivinghk

Open
There's so much to love in Jen and Jeff's Happy Valley flat, for the full story head over to our website, link in bio. @moftstudio 

#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hkig #hkiger #hkinteriordesign #hkinterior #balivibe
Open
Ever wondered what it is like to live in Tai Hang? EL reader Neelam Daswani @neelampurehealth gives us the lowdown. For the full story and Neelam's recommendations see our MARCH-MAY issue.

#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hkiger
Open
❤️HK❤️

#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hkig #hkiger #view
Open
* Friday GIVEAWAY *

We have teamed up @gingerjarlampco to give one lucky winner a stunning Ginger Jar Lamp worth $4,000!  Here's how to have a chance of winning:

1. Like this post
2. Follow @gingerjarlampco on Instagram
3. Enter your details via the competitions section of our website - link in our bio.

Good Luck! 🤞🏻

#hongkong #hkig #hk #discoverhongkong #hkiger #fridaygiveaway
Open
Jo Lodder and Catherine Cormack recently set out to raise much needed funds for @stop.hk and @tails.lantau by tackling Hong Kong’s famous hiking trails over four days in March.  To find out how they got on, head over to our website to read all about it, link in bio.

#hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #hkig #hikeforfreedom #hkhiking #hkhiker #adoptdontshop #stophumantrafficking
Open
📸 @ colsimphotography

#hongkong #hkig #hk #discoverhongkong #hkiger
#photography #photooftheday #streetphotography #streetsigns #hkstreet
Open
A chocolate overload and cute little bunnies – what’s not to like about Easter celebrations? We’ve rounded up some things to do in Hong Kong for a cracking good time over the break - check out the full article on our website - link in bio.

#hongkong #hkig #hk #discoverhongkong #hkiger #easter #eastereggs #easterbunny
Open
Whether you're a newbie or have been here a while, our guide is sure to help you make the most of living here.  Read it for free on any device 👉 expatliving.hk/cg/ig
Open
Beaches and swimming pools are progressively re-opening 🏊‍♀️🏝👏👏

#hk #hkig #hkiger #hkbeach #hkpools
Open
*Friday Giveaway*  Win one of 50 Early Access Passes to the Affordable Online Art Fair 2021. Like this post & enter your details via the competitions section of our website - link in our bio

Good Luck! 🤞🏻

#hongkong #hkig #hk #discoverhongkong #hkiger #art #affordableart #affordableartfair #giveaway
Open
Jo Lodder and Catherine Cormack are currently on a Hike for Freedom, tackling four trails – the Maclehose, Hong Kong, Wilson and Lantau – to raise money for two organisations doing incredibly important work. @stophk - a charity that strives to put and end to human trafficking in Hong Kong and @ tails.lantau - an animal rescue organisation based on Lantau. The Hike will cover 300km and 18,600m in elevation over just four days! 

Read the full article on our homepage - link in bio - including how you can donate and follow their progress.

#hikeforfreedom #hkhiking #adoptdontshop #hongkong #hkig
Open
In our new spring issue we take a look at Jenny Perry's  impressive village house renovation in Sai Kung 🏡 there's so much to love! Check out the article for all her tips and local recommendations 👉 link in bio
Open
Read our latest Spring issue on any device for free 👉 expatliving.hk/digital/FB/

In this issue, we’ve got some of the best finds to make your home office functional and looking good. We also check out two beautifully renovated homes, get an insider’s guide to Tai Hang and discover home-decorating trends and the latest properties on the market.

There's loads more, including great Mexican food, easy recipes from our team, beauty tips and facials to try, and a look at Hong Kong’s country parks and hiking trails.

👨‍🎓 Plus, an eight-pager School Special! Everything from getting your kids IB-ready and enrichment options to great advice on battling bullies and trolls.
Open
* Friday GIVEAWAY *

We have teamed up with Assaggio to give one lucky winner a fabulous 35oz Fiorentina T-Bone Steak & Seafood Set Dinner for Four, worth $2,488!  

Featuring the 35oz Fiorentina T-Bone Steak served on a red hot sizzling iron plate with rosemary, the set dinner comes with Seafood Platter (Oyster Fine de Clair, Alaska King Crab Leg, Black Mediterranean Mussel, Veraci Clam), Kobocha Pumpkin and Tomino Cheese Soup, and Italian Black Truffle Tagliolini. 
Finally, wrap up the meal with the signature dessert trio: Tiramisu, Panna Cotta and Wild Berry Sorbet.

Sound good?

Here's how to have a chance of winning:

1. Like this post
2. Follow @miradining on Facebook
3. Enter your details via the competitions section of our website - link in our bio 

Good Luck! 🤞🏻
Open
📷 @colsimphoto we love his new collection #hongkonginmotion
Open
We are looking for readers to tell us about their area and why they love it.

We will send you some questions to answer and feature you in the Street Talk section of our print magazine and will also publish it online.

Drop us a PM with some info of where you live and we will get our team to be in touch 😊
Open
One of the many ways to enjoy HK’s waters! Head to our website for a comprehensive guide, link in bio. 📷 @ wanchaibelle
Open
Love a tasty taco, a classic plate of nachos or a frosty margarita? 

We recently road tested 3 Mexican restaurants – read the full reviews in our March magazine ✨📖 or online – link in bio.
@taqueriasupermacho 
@elmachohk
@tqmhk
Open
HK resident and award-winning artist Martin Lever recently spent 14 days in quarantine. Inspired by the mountain view, he created a stunning series of artwork, The Room 202 Project. 

What's more, Martin has teamed up with ImpactHK and is selling limited-edition digital prints – 50% of sales will  support HK's homeless.

For the full story, head to our website – link in bio.
Open
Happy International Women’s Day ❤️
  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2021 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.