New KidsHealth Resource: Perthes Disease in Children
The team at KidsHealth has just released a new resource for whānau on Perthes disease — a rare condition that affects the hip joint in children.
Perthes disease happens when the blood supply to the head of the thigh bone (femoral head) is disrupted. This causes the bone to weaken and break down before gradually regrowing and hardening. It typically affects children aged 4 to 8 and can be a long journey to recover from, often over 2 years.
This new resource covers everything whānau need to know, including:
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What Perthes disease is and how it develops
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Common signs and symptoms
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How it's diagnosed
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Treatment options (including physiotherapy, pain relief, and in some cases, surgery)
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What to expect in terms of recovery and mobility
Importantly, this new resource includes original in-house illustrations that reflect the diversity of tamariki in Aotearoa, something still rarely seen in medical imagery. Representation matters, especially when helping children and families understand complex health journeys.
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Please share this with colleagues, schools, and whānau — and help ensure every child facing a diagnosis of Perthes disease is supported with trusted, accessible, and inclusive information.
Ngā mihi to the KidsHealth team for another thoughtful and beautifully crafted page.