Santa Claus’ elves have been busy learning a special skill this Christmas – how to write letters to children in braille and large print!

Children from a lower socio-economic area in Wellington, Wainuiomata, are 11 times more likely to be exposed to cigarette smoking in cars than in the wealthier suburb of Karori, according to recent research.

A study by the University of Helsinki has revealed that very premature babies score lower in memory, attention and mental skills as adults.

A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that there is a higher risk of complications for first-time mothers who have a home birth.

Six Hamilton schoolgirls from Fairfield College were taken to hospital after taking ecstasy pills at school yesterday.

A study published in the Lancet has found that 8 per cent of teenagers harm themselves by cutting, burning or other methods. The study suggests that while self-harm is common in the teenage years, it usually ceases by late adolescence without any intervention.

US paediatricians are recommending that children between the ages of 9 and 11 have their cholesterol checked to improve heart health and decrease the risk of future heart disease.

Plunket is urging people to have their child car restraints checked before the busy Christmas holiday season.

Chickenpox if caught later in life can be a dangerous virus that causes severe complications. To avoid adult onset of chickenpox, parents in the US have been ordering pox lollipops via post and hosting 'pox parties'.

Teens who have a fibre-rich diet that includes vegetables and whole grains are less likely to get diabetes and heart disease.

Another fatal drowning incident involving a pre-school aged child has driven the year to date toll for this age group to 12. Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is concerned at the high toll and makes an impassioned plea to parents and caregivers to supervise small children vigilantly.

Women can opt to give birth via caesarian even if there is no genuine medical reason to do so, but what way is best for baby and mother?

A study of 1,700 women has revealed that babies conceived through fertility treatment might be smaller at birth than babies conceived naturally.

Thousands of children will take to the streets for Halloween tonight, but what effect will the sugar overdose have on their health?

US women expecting twins are opting to have caesarian sections. Seventy-five per cent of twin births in 2008 were via C-section.

Jerome Groopman investigates premature babies, developments in treatment and difficult decisions that are made along the way.

Kidsline, a counselling service for kids, has reported that 12 per cent of calls to Kidsline from those under 14 relate to anxiety and stress.

According to a study published in the Nature journal, the IQ of teenagers can change.

Exercising during pregnancy is safe for mothers and babies, but it won't necessarily keep pregnancy weight down for overweight women.