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​​​Dr Anthony A Zehetner FRACP MMed(Paed) MBBS BPharm DCH DipMgt GCertPTT MPS​

• is a recognised Senior Subspecialist Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (AYAM) Physician by the Royal
  Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) in addition to his General Paediatrics and Child Health
  Specialty



• is a Senior Staff Specialist in Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital at Westmead since 2011 where
   he operates the 
Care and Intervention for Children and Adolescents affected by Drugs and
   Alcohol
 (CICADA) Family (formerly Teenlink) health service for children and young people aged 0-18 years with a
   substance-using parent undergoing rehabilitation treatment. Teenlink was awarded the 2013 Judges Choice Child
   Protection Award


• has been a Clinical Senior Lecturer for the University of Sydney for many years teaching today's generation of
​   postgraduate doctors and pharmacy students. He received a 2014 Award for Excellence in Teaching (Clinical Reasoning)

​
• was a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Gosford Private Hospital until maternity services were closed in March
   2025



• has completed a Master of Medicine (Paediatric Medicine) at High Distinction level in the following subspecialties:

    o Adolescent Medicine 
    o Behavioural and Developmental Paediatrics 
    o Paediatric Nutrition and Obesity 
    o Paediatric Gastroenterology
    o Infectious Diseases, and
    o Leadership in Medicine


• has an interest and expertise in treating (but is not limited to):

    o Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    o Diabetes mellitus and other endocrinopathies
    o Disorders of growth and puberty
    o Complex medication regimens
    o Adolescent Medicine
    o Internet Addiction
    o Neonates, and
    o Breath-holding Attacks


• is an accredited Parenting and Emotion-Coaching practitioner of toddlers to teenagers (1,2,3-Magic,  
   Engaging Adolescents and Net Negotiations)


• is also a registered practising Consultant Pharmacist with over 20 years’ experience. His up-to-date   
   pharmaceutical knowledge and background uniquely complements his practice of Paediatric Medicine


• is Acting Chair and Member of the NSW Department of Health’s Stimulant Subcommittee (since 2012),
   responsible for overseeing and regulating the responsible use of medications for ADHD (and related conditions), as well as
   policy development


 • is a Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service (SUPPS) Expert Reference Group Member for the
​    NSW Department of Health


• has authored a chapter on ‘Psychopharmacology – The Use of Medication to treat Challenging 
  Behaviour in Children and Adolescents’ for the textbook ‘Mental Health of Children and Adolescents with 
   Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’, a leading reference work in the field


• previously worked as a Consultant Paediatrician at Gosford (Public) Hospital from 2011-13


• was a Lecturer in Paediatrics  for the University of  Newcastle between 2011-13, teaching tomorrow’s generation
   of young undergraduate doctors


• was awarded the inaugural 2010 Wiley-Blackwell New Investigator Award at the World Congress of Internal 
   Medicine for his international research into Breath-holding Attacks 

• for over 25 years has been a Member of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and abided by their Code of Ethics
​
​
• is regularly published and cited in the medical literature. Recent articles include:

   o National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health. Identifying and Responding to Bullying in the Pre-teen Years: The
      Role of Primary Health Care Practitioners.
 Emerging Minds October 2020 [Citation]

   o Zehetner AA. Successful Leadership in Medicine. Children and Teenagers (2019) 2; 1. 
      DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/ct.v2n1p1://dx.doi.org/10.22158/ct.v1n1p63 ISSN 2576-3709 (Print) ISSN 2576-3717
      (Online)

    o Zehetner A. Breath-holding Spells [Factsheet] 5th ed. (Revised Jan 2019). Sydney Children’s Hospital Network/      
       Kaleidoscope. Previous editions (
4th ed. April 2015, 3rd ed. July 2012, 2nd ed. 10 July 2012,  1st ed. 29 May 2008)

    o Zehetner AA. The Boy Who Wouldn’t Eat Pomegranates (an Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD,
       Allegory)
. Children and Teenagers (2018) 1; 1: 63-67. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/ct.v1n1p63 ISSN 2576-3709
       (Print) ISSN 2576-3717 (Online)

    o Zehetner A, Iatrou P, Lampropoulos B & Phillips N. Review of Teenlink: A Health Service for Children and Adolescents
       of Parents with Substance Use
. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2016) 53; 2: 149-154. Epub 23 Sep 2016
       DOI:10.1111/jpc.13352.

    o Zehetner A. Early Treatment for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Paediatrics and Child
        Health
 (2016) 52; 4: 464. DOI:10.1111/jpc.13145

    o Zehetner A. Tamoxifen to treat male pubertal gynaecomastia. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent
        Medicine
 (2015) 2; 3-4: 152-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpam.2015.09.002

    o Zehetner A. Excessive parental praise breeds narcissism [Review]. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2015) 51;             7:742 Epub 1 Jul 2015 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12942_3

    o Zehetner A. Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder associated with increased mortality [Review]. Journal of                             Paediatrics and Child Health (2015) 51; 6: 650 Epub 2 Jun 2015 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12922_4

    o Zehetner A. Paediatricians Should Do More to Address Male Adolescent Sexual Health. Journal of Paediatrics       
        and Child Health (2015) 51; 3: 255-8. Epub 26 June 2014 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12676

    o Phillips N, Milne B, Silsbury C, Zappia P, Zehetner A, Klineberg E, Towns S & Steinbeck K. Addressing 
        Adolescent Substance Use in a Paediatric Health Care Setting. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2014) 50; 9:
        726-31. Epub 18 Jun 2014 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12622

    o Zehetner AA, Poulton A. Cardiovascular Safety of Stimulants in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity 
        Disorder [Letter]. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology EPub 17 October 2014 DOI: 
        10.1089/cap.2014.0086

    o Phillips N, Milne B, Silsbury C, Zappia P, Zehetner A, Klineberg E, Towns S & Steinbeck K. Addressing Adolescent 
        Substance Use in a Paediatric Health Care Setting: Treatment Outcomes at 3-, 6- and 12 months follow up. Journal of
        Paediatrics and Child Health
 (2014) 50; 9: 726-31. Epub 18 Jun 2004 DOI:10.1111/jpc.12622   

    o Zehetner A. Under the Microscope [Review]. Australian Medicine 26; 4: 44 (4 March 2014)

    o Zehetner A, Rodie C. What you need to know about involuntary breath holding attacks Essential Baby 27 Nov 2014

    o Zehetner A. Bilateral natal clefts in a neonate. (Part 2) Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) Vol 49; No 9: 
        786, 791. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12378_1, DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12378_2

    o Zehetner A. Alcohol, Drugs and Medication in Pregnancy: The Long Term Outcome for the Child [Review]. Journal 
        of Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) Vol 49; No 8: 697. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12371

    o Zehetner A. Why fairy tales are still relevant to today’s children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) 
        Vol 49; No 2: 161-2. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12080 (Zehetner A. Happily Ever After. UTS Deadline Magazine 2013 Annual)

    o Zehetner A, Smith A. Early-onset neonatal Serogroup B meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Journal of 
        Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) Vol 49; No 2: 158. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12079

    o Zehetner A. The nature of celebrity - a poisoned chalice for today's children? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 
        (2012) Vol 48; No 5: 455. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-754.2012.02454.x

    o Zehetner A. Iron Supplementation Reduces the Frequency and Severity of Breath-holding Attacks in Non-Anaemic 
        Children: A Case Series
. Clinics and Practice (2011) 1; 4: e98. DOI: 10.4081/cp.2011.e98 (Italy) (8 November 2011)

    o Zehetner A. Psychopharmacology - The Use of Medication to Treat Challenging Behaviour in Children and 
        Adolescents.
 In Dosseter, White & Whatson (Eds.) Mental Health of Children and Adolescents with Intellectual and 
        Developmental Disabilities: a Framework for Professional Practice
 [Textbook]. IP Communications: Vic. August
        2011. ISBN 978-0-9808649-2-2 Available to order here

    o Zehetner AA, Orr N, Buckmaster A, Williams KJ. Does iron therapy affect the frequency of breath-holding attacks in 
       children?
 Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2010) Vol 46; No 6: 357-60. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01790.x

    o Zehetner AA, Orr N, Buckmaster A, Williams KJ, Wheeler DM. Iron supplementation for breath-holding attacks in 
        children
. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008132. DOI: 
        10.1002/14651858.CD008132.pub2 (Standard) (Abstract Summary) (Downloadable Podcast click here, 4 Mb) (Pearls)
​
  o There are over ten additional articles published by Dr Zehetner prior to 2010 in leading medical and 
        pharmacy journals, including The Lancet (Aspartame and the Internet)

​• is a regularly invited speaker and presenter at medical conferences. Recent speaking engagements include:

    o Parenting Early Teens Health & Well-being: Alcohol and Other Drugs [Video] Raising Children Network – The  
        Australian Parenting Website. Available at: http://raisingchildren.net.au  
   
    o Australian Asthma Handbook & Management Update for General Practitioners, Gosford (25 October 2021)

    o ADHD in 2018: Diagnosis, Management & Collaborative Approach to Care, PSA 18 Conference, Sydney (28 July 2018) 

    o Advances in ADHD Treatment and Understanding, Central Coast Pharmacists Association, Gosford (5 June 2018)

    o Intuniv (Guanfacine Hydrochloride) - A New Treatment Option for ADHD (Chair), Terrigal (10 April 2018)

    o Paediatric Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Society of Aust, Annual Therapeutic Update, Leura (17 March 2018)

    o ADHD - Advances in Treatment and Understanding, Newcastle & Hunter Valley Pharmacists Assn (27 February 2018)

    o Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Clinical Insights (Chair), Gosford (23 November 2017)

    o 2017 Annual Therapeutic Update - ADHD, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Terrigal (4 March 2017)

    o Nocturnal Enuresis (Bedwetting) Video (Presenter), Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Pymble (31 January 2017)

    o Youth Health Forum, The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Presenter), Westmead (9 November 2016)

    o Paediatric Gastroenterology & ADHD Treatment, NSW Primary Clinical Practice Seminar, Blacktown (15 May 2016)    


    o DSM-5 - Changes, Conditions and Controversies, Terrigal (28 May 2014)    

    o DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder, Sydney Hilton (28 April 2014)

    o Managing Difficult Cases, Private Paediatricians Support Group, Parramatta (20 January 2014)

    o DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder, Terrigal (5 December 2013)

    o Internet Addiction for GPs, Magenta Shores (8 May 2013)

    o Caring for Adolescents, School Nurses Association Conference, Sydney (21 January 2013)

    o Internet Addiction, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) Grand Rounds (16 August 2012)

    o ADHD Transition to Adult Services, Terrigal (27 June 2012)

    o Approaches to Adolescents, Youth Health Forum, Central Coast Division of General Practice, Erina (20 June 2012)

    o ADHD Across the Lifespan – Paediatric Perspectives, Sebel Hotel, Newcastle (25 May 2012)

    o Substance Use within Families: Challenges and Opportunities, Child Psychology Seminar, CHW (7 May 2012)

    o Tackling Teenagers – Advances in Adolescent Health Care, Gosford Hospital (22 Feb 2012)

    o Engaging Adolescents in Pharmacy, Central Coast Pharmacy Division, Gosford Golf Club (30 Nov 2011)

    o Teenlink Program for Older Children and Adolescents With a Substance Using Parent: A Review of Families From the 
        First Ten Years, Youth Health 2011 Conference, Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health, Darling Harbour
        (9-11 Nov 2011)

    o Practical Paediatrics for GPs Conference, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (6-7 Aug 2011)

    o Dr Zehetner has also worked as a consultant for NSW Police Force Adolescent Health websites, Allied Health 
        Professional Development Days and High School Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)   
        courses

​• is a peer-reviewer for international and national medical journals and publications, such as the Acta
   Paediatrica, Andrologica, Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), British 
Medical Journal (BMJ), Children and
   Teenagers [Editorial Board], Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (JPCH) and several more:


   o AMH Children’s Dosing Companion (2013), 1st edn, Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; Adelaide. ISBN 978-0-
      9875501-0-1 (Print Edition)
 
   o AMH Children’s Dosing Companion (online). Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; 2013 June. Available
      from https://shop.amh.net.au/products/electronic/childrens-dosing-companion


​
 • is a resident of the Central Coast 



He is privileged to be of service to your child and your family



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