One in six families are cutting back or missing medical appointments and medicines due to rising costs.
That is according to a new Barnardos survey, which found 63 per cent of families with children are going without food, heat or electricity.
The children's charity wants the Government to set up a hardship fund for struggling parents.
More than a quarter of those surveyed have either cut back or turned off the heat completely, while almost a quarter have gone without electricity.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said families going without medical care is alarming.
Ms Connolly told Newstalk: "Families should not be in that situation, can you imagine? Imagine if you were in that situation as a parent having to think 'do I buy the weekly shop to the extent that I need it, or do I bring my child to the doctor?'"
