The first article looks at the common patterns associated with sibling rivalry and ways for families to manage it. It considers the roles of spacing, gender, temperament, parenting behaviour and disability and illness. The second considers teething and the evolution in the way the medical profession thinks of it, from the mid-19th century when teething...

Parents frequently consult family doctors, paediatricians or orthopaedic surgeons because of concerns about their child's lower limb alignment or gait. This article discusses the principles of management for children with a normal variation, and discusses a number of common, remediable variations.

Fused labia is an acquired condition that generally affects otherwise normal girls in the first few years of life. It occurs when the inner surfaces of the labia minora become irritated and the 'raw' areas on each side stick together. Undescended testis (or cryptorchidism) is a term used to describe the testis that has not...

Recurrent abdominal pain is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. Yet an organic cause can be found in less than 5 per cent of cases. The lack of a clear aetiology has prompted researchers to theorise possible causes, but researchers have had more success in isolating how children with recurrent abdominal pain...

Impetigo is the most common skin infection of early childhood and is associated with warm, humid weather, crowded living conditions and close physical contact. Insect bites, cutaneous trauma to uncovered limbs, eczema, scabies and insect bites are important risk factors. This article considers features, management and prevention.