The woman accused of murdering her three daughters has been remanded in a secure mental health unit at Hillmorton Hospital

Lauren Dickason appeared in the District Court at Timaru this morning, charged with killing her children on Thursday night.

The judge has ordered a mental health report to establish Dickason's state of mind at the time of the offending.

Herald senior reporter Anna Leask said the woman didn't speak in court, and entered no plea.

She described Dickason as drawn, distressed but calm.

When her children and husband were mentioned she closed her eyes and bowed her head.