Expert Medical Care for Your Child at Every Stage
Your baby’s first fever, your toddler’s persistent cough, your child’s asthma attacks, your teenager’s concerning symptoms, moments when your child is ill trigger fear and an urgent need for expert medical care.
Our paediatricians specialise in children’s health from newborns through adolescence, understanding that children aren’t small adults but have unique medical needs requiring specialised expertise.
You don’t need rushed appointments where concerns are dismissed; experienced paediatricians providing comprehensive child healthcare from routine check-ups through serious illness management are available right here.
Our Paediatricians
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified paediatrician for personalised healthcare recommendations for your child. For paediatric emergencies, seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency services.
What Conditions Do Our Paediatricians Treat?
Paediatrics encompasses the vast range of health conditions affecting children from birth through adolescence.
Newborn & Early Infant Concerns
Jaundice (Hyperbilirubinaemia)
Most newborns develop some jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) in first days of life as their livers mature. Most cases are benign, resolving within 1-2 weeks. Severe jaundice, however, can damage the brain. Paediatricians assess jaundice severity through examination and blood tests, determine whether phototherapy (special lights breaking down bilirubin) is needed, monitor closely ensuring levels don’t reach dangerous ranges, and investigate underlying causes in persistent or severe cases.
Feeding Difficulties
Breastfeeding challenges (poor latch, insufficient milk supply, painful feeding, slow weight gain) cause enormous stress for new mothers. Paediatricians assess infant weight gain, examine for anatomical problems (tongue-tie, palate issues), provide feeding guidance, coordinate with lactation consultants, and determine whether formula supplementation is needed. For formula-fed babies, they manage reflux, constipation, suspected milk protein allergies, and ensure adequate nutrition.
Colic
Inconsolable crying in otherwise healthy infants (typically starting around 2-3 weeks, peaking at 6 weeks, resolving by 3-4 months) is exhausting and stressful for parents. Paediatricians rule out medical causes of crying, provide reassurance that colic resolves with time, suggest management strategies (motion, white noise, swaddling), and support parents through this difficult phase.
Neonatal Infections
Newborns have immature immune systems, making infections particularly dangerous. Fever in infants under 3 months is always concerning, requiring urgent paediatric evaluation. Paediatricians assess for serious bacterial infections (meningitis, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections), often hospitalising young infants with fever for observation and antibiotics until serious infection is excluded.
Birth Injuries & Congenital Problems
Some babies have problems identified after birth, heart murmurs requiring assessment, hip problems (developmental dysplasia), positional skull deformities, or other concerns. Paediatricians provide thorough newborn examinations, arrange appropriate investigations, coordinate with specialists when needed, and follow conditions that might resolve with time versus requiring intervention.
Common Childhood Infections
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (Colds)
Children average 6-8 colds yearly. Most are viral, self-limiting, requiring only supportive care (fluids, rest, fever management). Paediatricians distinguish routine colds from complications requiring treatment (bacterial superinfections, sinusitis, pneumonia), provide guidance on symptom management, advise when antibiotics are necessary (rarely, most colds are viral), and reassure parents whilst monitoring for serious complications.
Otitis Media (Ear Infections)
Middle ear infections are extremely common in young children (anatomy of children’s Eustachian tubes makes them prone to infection). Symptoms include ear pain, fever, irritability, and sometimes ear discharge if eardrum perforates. Treatment depends on severity and age, watchful waiting for mild cases in older children, antibiotics for severe infections, young infants, or bilateral infections. Recurrent ear infections sometimes require ENT referral for possible grommets.
Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis
Throat infections cause sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes enlarged tonsils. Most are viral (no antibiotic benefit). Bacterial pharyngitis (Group A Streptococcus, strep throat) requires antibiotics preventing complications (rheumatic fever, kidney problems). Paediatricians distinguish viral from bacterial pharyngitis, provide appropriate treatment, and refer children with recurrent tonsillitis for ENT evaluation when surgery might be beneficial.
Gastroenteritis
Vomiting and diarrhoea from viral infections (rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus) are very common in children. Most cases are mild, resolving with oral rehydration. Paediatricians assess dehydration severity, provide rehydration plans, identify children requiring hospitalisation for IV fluids, distinguish viral from bacterial gastroenteritis, and provide guidance on preventing spread to family members.
Pneumonia
Lung infections range from mild (manageable at home with oral antibiotics) to severe (requiring hospitalisation, IV antibiotics, oxygen). Paediatricians assess respiratory distress severity, determine appropriate setting for treatment (home versus hospital), choose appropriate antibiotics, and monitor closely ensuring improvement.
Bronchiolitis
Viral lower respiratory infection (usually RSV, respiratory syncytial virus) affecting small airways in infants and young children causes wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding. Most cases are mild; severe cases require hospitalisation for oxygen, feeding support, and monitoring. Paediatricians assess severity, provide supportive care, and identify infants needing hospitalisation.
Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs in children cause fever (sometimes the only symptom in young children), abdominal or back pain, painful urination, and sometimes incontinence in toilet-trained children. Diagnosis requires urine tests (collecting clean samples from young children is challenging). Treatment involves antibiotics. Recurrent UTIs require investigation for urinary tract abnormalities.
Respiratory Conditions
Asthma
Chronic inflammatory airway disease causes recurrent wheezing, coughing (particularly at night or with exercise), shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma is common, affecting 10-20% of children. Triggers include viral infections, allergies, exercise, cold air, and smoke exposure.
Asthma management involves identifying and avoiding triggers, daily controller medications (inhaled corticosteroids) preventing inflammation and reducing attack frequency, rescue medications (bronchodilators like salbutamol) treating acute symptoms, written asthma action plans guiding home management and when to seek help, and regular monitoring adjusting treatment as needed.
Well-managed asthma allows completely normal activity. Poorly managed asthma causes frequent symptoms, missed school, emergency department visits, and occasionally life-threatening attacks. Paediatricians optimise asthma management, ensuring children can participate fully in life without constant symptoms or frequent attacks.
Recurrent Wheeze
Young children often wheeze with viral respiratory infections without having true asthma. Paediatricians distinguish viral-induced wheeze from asthma, provide appropriate treatment, and monitor as children grow (some develop asthma; others outgrow wheezing).
Chronic Cough
Persistent cough has many causes, asthma, post-nasal drip, gastro-oesophageal reflux, habit cough, or rarely serious lung disease. Paediatricians investigate persistent cough, identify underlying causes, and provide appropriate treatment.
Allergic Conditions
Food Allergies
Allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, or shellfish affect many children. Reactions range from mild (skin rashes, stomach upset) to severe (anaphylaxis, life-threatening allergic reaction causing breathing difficulty, swelling, shock).
Paediatricians diagnose food allergies through history, allergy testing when appropriate, provide elimination diet guidance, prescribe emergency medications (adrenaline auto-injectors for severe allergies), educate families about reading food labels and avoiding allergens, and coordinate with dietitians ensuring adequate nutrition despite dietary restrictions. Many children outgrow food allergies (particularly milk and egg); others have lifelong allergies requiring ongoing management.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Chronic inflammatory skin condition causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin typically affecting face, elbows, knees, and hands. Eczema is common, often associated with other allergic conditions (asthma, hay fever, food allergies).
Management includes moisturising extensively and frequently (maintaining skin barrier), avoiding triggers (harsh soaps, fragrances, certain fabrics), treating flares with topical corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory creams, managing infections (eczematous skin is prone to bacterial and viral skin infections), and sometimes systemic treatments for severe cases. Most children improve with age, though some have lifelong eczema.
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Nasal allergies cause sneezing, itchy runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, and throat clearing. Triggers include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or mould. Treatment includes allergen avoidance when possible, antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, and sometimes immunotherapy (allergy shots) for severe cases.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux
Reflux (stomach contents flowing back into oesophagus) is common in babies, usually resolving by 12-18 months as they mature. Most reflux is “happy spitting”, frequent regurgitation but normal weight gain and no distress. Concerning reflux (GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) causes poor weight gain, feeding refusal, pain, respiratory problems, or oesophagitis. Paediatricians distinguish normal reflux from GORD, provide feeding modifications, prescribe medications when needed, and occasionally refer for surgical evaluation in severe refractory cases.
Constipation
Extremely common in children. Infrequent, hard, painful bowel movements can lead to withholding (child holds stool due to pain, creating cycle of worsening constipation), soiling (liquid stool leaking around impacted stool), and significant distress. Treatment includes dietary changes (increased fibre, fluids), laxatives softening stool and establishing regular bowel movements, behavioural approaches (regular toilet sitting after meals), and patience, resolving chronic constipation takes weeks to months.
Chronic Abdominal Pain
Recurrent abdominal pain is common. Most cases are “functional”, no identifiable organic cause, but genuinely affect children. Causes include irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, anxiety, food sensitivities, or rarely serious organic disease. Paediatricians investigate concerning features (weight loss, blood in stool, nighttime symptoms), provide reassurance when serious disease is excluded, manage functional pain through dietary modifications and stress management, and identify treatable causes.
Food Intolerances
Lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, and other intolerances cause abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea. Diagnosis involves trial elimination diets and sometimes breath testing. Management involves dietary modifications.
Endocrine & Metabolic Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells) typically presents in childhood with excessive thirst and urination, weight loss despite increased appetite, fatigue, and sometimes diabetic ketoacidosis (life-threatening complication). Type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) is increasingly common in obese adolescents.
Diabetes management is complex and intensive, involving multiple daily blood glucose checks (or continuous glucose monitoring), insulin administration (multiple daily injections or insulin pump), carbohydrate counting and meal planning, regular physical activity, and frequent monitoring preventing complications. Paediatricians diagnose diabetes (often in emergency with DKA), coordinate with paediatric endocrinologists for ongoing management, provide education and support to families, and monitor for complications. Managing childhood diabetes requires enormous family effort and commitment.
Growth Problems
Short stature, poor growth, or excessive growth warrant evaluation. Causes range from normal variation (familial short stature, constitutional delay) to medical problems (growth hormone deficiency, thyroid disease, chronic illness, malnutrition). Paediatricians track growth over time on growth charts, investigate when growth deviates from expected patterns, and coordinate with paediatric endocrinologists when hormone problems are suspected.
Thyroid Disease
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) causes poor growth, constipation, fatigue, and poor school performance. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) causes weight loss despite increased appetite, anxiety, rapid heart rate, and heat intolerance. Both require diagnosis through blood tests and treatment with medications.
Obesity
Increasing childhood obesity creates significant health problems, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, orthopaedic problems, and psychological impacts (low self-esteem, bullying, depression). Management involves family-based lifestyle modifications (healthy eating, increased activity, reduced screen time), addressing emotional eating and family dynamics, treating medical complications, and supporting children and families making difficult sustainable changes. Weight management in children is complex and challenging, requiring compassionate non-judgmental support.
Neurological Conditions
Febrile Seizures
Seizures triggered by fever affect 2-5% of children aged 6 months to 5 years. Most are brief (under 5 minutes), generalised (whole-body convulsion), and benign, causing no lasting effects. Parents witnessing their child seizing are understandably terrified. Paediatricians provide reassurance that febrile seizures, whilst frightening, are usually benign, explain management (protecting child from injury during seizure, not restraining, timing seizure, seeking help for prolonged seizures), and distinguish simple febrile seizures (low concern) from complex febrile seizures (requiring further evaluation).
Epilepsy
Recurrent unprovoked seizures (not fever-related) require investigation identifying seizure type and underlying cause, starting anti-seizure medications preventing recurrent seizures, educating families about seizure management and safety, monitoring medication side effects and effectiveness, and coordinating with paediatric neurologists for complex cases. Many children with epilepsy achieve excellent seizure control with medication; some require multiple medications or other treatments.
Headaches
Recurrent headaches are common. Most are benign (tension headaches, migraines) but cause significant distress. Concerning features (awakening from sleep, morning vomiting, progressive worsening, neurological symptoms) warrant brain imaging ruling out serious causes. Migraine management involves identifying triggers, acute treatment for attacks, and sometimes preventive medications for frequent migraines.
Developmental Delays
Delays in reaching developmental milestones (motor skills, language, social skills) warrant evaluation. Causes range from normal variation to global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or specific learning disabilities. Early identification and intervention dramatically improve outcomes. Paediatricians screen for delays, arrange developmental assessments, coordinate early intervention services, and support families.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour (repetitive behaviours, restricted interests). Early signs include lack of eye contact, delayed speech, not responding to name, repetitive behaviours, and difficulty with social interaction. Early diagnosis (ideally by age 2-3) enables early intensive therapy improving outcomes. Paediatricians screen for autism, provide referral for diagnostic evaluation, coordinate therapies (speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural interventions), and support families navigating autism.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children with ADHD have difficulty sustaining attention, controlling impulses, and regulating activity levels affecting school performance, peer relationships, and family dynamics. Diagnosis requires comprehensive evaluation ruling out other causes and assessing multiple settings (home, school). Treatment involves behavioural interventions, educational accommodations, and often medications (stimulants, non-stimulants) improving attention and behaviour. Paediatricians diagnose ADHD, initiate treatment, monitor medication effectiveness and side effects, and coordinate with schools and psychologists.
Skin Conditions
Nappy Rash
Irritation of nappy area skin is almost universal. Management involves frequent nappy changes, thorough cleaning and drying, barrier creams, and sometimes antifungal creams for yeast infections. Severe persistent nappy rash might indicate other problems (seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema, infections).
Impetigo
Bacterial skin infection causing crusty golden sores typically around nose and mouth. Highly contagious. Treatment involves topical or oral antibiotics and excluding from school/daycare until treated.
Viral Rashes
Many viral infections cause rashes, roseola, fifth disease (slapped cheek syndrome), hand-foot-and-mouth disease, chickenpox. Paediatricians distinguish viral rashes from more serious conditions (meningococcal disease, Kawasaki disease), provide supportive care, and advise when exclusion from school is necessary.
Scabies and Head Lice
Common infestations requiring specific treatments and management of close contacts.
Haematological Conditions
Anaemia
Low haemoglobin causes fatigue, pale skin, irritability, and poor growth. Causes include iron deficiency (most common, from inadequate dietary iron or chronic blood loss), thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, or other blood disorders. Treatment depends on cause, iron supplementation for iron deficiency anaemia, specific management for genetic blood disorders.
Sickle Cell Disease
Inherited blood disorder affecting predominantly African populations. Sickled red blood cells cause painful crises, anaemia, increased infection risk, and organ damage. Management involves preventing crises (adequate hydration, avoiding triggers), promptly treating complications (infections, pain crises), immunisations and antibiotic prophylaxis preventing infections, and comprehensive ongoing care. Paediatricians coordinate with haematologists managing this complex condition.
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelet counts cause easy bruising and bleeding. Causes include immune thrombocytopenia (ITP, common benign childhood condition), viral infections, or rarely leukaemia or other serious conditions. Management depends on cause and severity.
Adolescent Health
Pubertal Development
Concerns about early (precocious puberty) or delayed puberty require evaluation. Paediatricians assess pubertal development, investigate abnormalities, and coordinate with paediatric endocrinologists when hormone problems exist.
Menstrual Problems
Heavy periods, painful periods, irregular cycles, or absent periods warrant evaluation. Management might involve hormonal treatments, investigation for bleeding disorders, or gynaecology referral.
Acne
Severe acne affecting self-esteem requires treatment beyond over-the-counter products, prescription topical medications, oral antibiotics, or dermatology referral for severe cases requiring isotretinoin.
Mental Health
Adolescence is high-risk for mental health problems, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Paediatricians screen for mental health concerns, provide initial evaluation and treatment, and coordinate with psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors for ongoing mental health care.
Sports Medicine
Sports injuries and questions about athletic participation, managing chronic conditions during sport, and addressing concerns about performance or nutrition.
Confidential Healthcare
Adolescents sometimes need confidential healthcare for sensitive issues, sexual health, contraception, substance use, mental health. Paediatricians provide confidential adolescent consultations (with appropriate limitations around safety concerns) respecting developing autonomy whilst ensuring appropriate care.
Other Paediatric Conditions
Enuresis (Bedwetting)
Bedwetting beyond age when bladder control is expected (typically 5-7 years) affects many children. Most cases are primary nocturnal enuresis (never achieved dry nights consistently) without underlying medical problems. Management involves reassurance (many children outgrow it naturally), behavioural approaches (limiting evening fluids, alarm systems), and sometimes medications. Paediatricians investigate for secondary enuresis (return of bedwetting after being dry) or daytime symptoms suggesting urinary tract problems.
Kawasaki Disease
Uncommon but serious inflammatory condition affecting blood vessels, particularly coronary arteries. Classic features include prolonged high fever, red eyes, red lips and tongue (strawberry tongue), swollen hands and feet, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes. Early recognition and treatment (IV immunoglobulin) prevents heart complications. This is why persistent high fever warrants paediatric evaluation, Kawasaki disease can be missed initially, but delayed treatment increases cardiac complication risk.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP)
Inflammatory condition causing characteristic purpuric rash (purple spots on buttocks and legs), joint pain, abdominal pain, and sometimes kidney involvement. Most cases resolve with supportive care, but monitoring for kidney complications is crucial.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Chronic inflammatory arthritis in children causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness (particularly morning stiffness), and sometimes systemic symptoms. Requires coordinated care with paediatric rheumatologists.
Understanding Paediatrics
Paediatrics is the medical specialty dedicated to the health and development of infants, children, and adolescents, from birth through approximately 18 years. Paediatricians are doctors who’ve completed medical school plus 3-4 years of specialised paediatric training. They’re experts in children’s growth and development, childhood diseases, managing chronic conditions in children, and recognising when children are seriously ill versus experiencing routine childhood ailments.
Children are fundamentally different from adults medically. Diseases manifest differently in children, what causes mild symptoms in adults can be life-threatening in infants. Children’s bodies process medications differently, dosages must be precisely calculated by weight and age. Growth and development are constantly changing, what’s normal for a 2-month-old is concerning for a 12-month-old. Communication is different, young children cannot describe symptoms; paediatricians must interpret crying, behaviour changes, and subtle signs. Emotional needs differ, children need developmentally appropriate explanations, comfort, and approaches that reduce fear.
This is why children benefit from seeing paediatricians rather than general practitioners for complex problems, chronic conditions, or when parents are concerned about their child’s health. GPs provide excellent primary care for straightforward childhood illnesses, but paediatricians have specialised training in the complexities of child health. They see hundreds of children with similar conditions, gaining experience that helps them distinguish normal variations from concerning problems, manage complex chronic conditions, coordinate care between multiple specialists, and support families navigating childhood illness.
Paediatricians don’t just treat sick children, they monitor healthy children’s growth and development, administer immunisations protecting against dangerous diseases, screen for developmental delays allowing early intervention, educate parents about child health and safety, and build relationships with families across years, knowing children from infancy through adolescence.
Many parents don’t realise when they need a paediatrician versus when their GP is appropriate. Generally, GPs manage straightforward acute illnesses (colds, simple ear infections, minor injuries), whilst paediatricians manage complex or serious illnesses (severe pneumonia, complex fevers, seizures), chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, allergies, developmental delays), newborn problems, and situations where children aren’t responding to initial treatment or parents have ongoing concerns not adequately addressed.
You don’t need permission to see a paediatrician. If you’re concerned about your child’s health, if your GP has recommended specialist evaluation, if your child has a chronic condition requiring ongoing management, or if you simply want paediatric expertise, you can request paediatric consultation. Your child’s health deserves specialist attention when needed.
Why Choose Botshilu for Paediatric Care
Children’s health concerns range from routine to life-threatening, from simple to complex. You need paediatricians who take time to listen, examine thoroughly, explain clearly, and treat your child as the unique individual they are rather than another quick appointment.
Botshilu’s Paediatrics department offers:
Experienced Paediatricians:
Our paediatricians have completed full paediatric training at respected institutions, have years of experience caring for children of all ages, see diverse paediatric conditions regularly maintaining diagnostic expertise, and stay current with evolving paediatric medicine. When subtle signs distinguish serious illness from benign problems, when complex conditions need expert management, experience matters profoundly.
Comprehensive Paediatric Services:
We provide complete child healthcare including well-child check-ups and developmental monitoring, immunisations following the South African immunisation schedule, acute illness management (infections, respiratory problems, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea), chronic disease management (asthma, diabetes, allergies, seizure disorders), newborn care and early infant assessment, adolescent health services, growth and developmental concerns, and coordination with paediatric subspecialists when needed.
Newborn and Infant Expertise:
The first year of life is critical. Our paediatricians provide newborn assessments after hospital discharge, feeding support (breastfeeding challenges, formula concerns, introducing solids), monitoring growth and development in early months, managing common infant problems (reflux, colic, sleep issues, jaundice), and reassuring anxious first-time parents whilst identifying genuine concerns requiring intervention.
Chronic Disease Management:
Children with asthma, diabetes, allergies, seizure disorders, or other chronic conditions need ongoing paediatric care. Our paediatricians provide regular monitoring and treatment adjustments, education about condition management, coordinating care between multiple specialists, supporting families managing chronic childhood illness, and optimising treatment to minimise impact on children’s lives.
Urgent and Emergency Paediatric Care:
Seriously ill children need immediate paediatric assessment. Our paediatricians are available for urgent consultations when your child is severely ill, provide emergency paediatric care coordinating with emergency physicians, can admit children to hospital when necessary, and are accessible 24/7 for paediatric emergencies.
Family-Centred Approach:
Paediatric care involves entire families, not just sick children. Our approach includes listening to parental concerns (you know your child best), involving parents as partners in care decisions, providing clear explanations in understandable language, supporting parenting confidence, addressing sibling and family impacts of illness, and building long-term relationships with families.
Child-Friendly Environment:
Our paediatric consultation rooms are designed for children, less intimidating than stark adult medical settings, stocked with age-appropriate distractions, and staffed by people experienced in helping frightened children feel safe. Examinations are gentle and developmentally appropriate.
Coordination with Paediatric Specialists:
Complex cases benefit from subspecialist input. Our paediatricians work with paediatric surgeons for surgical conditions, paediatric cardiologists for heart problems, paediatric neurologists for seizures and neurological conditions, paediatric pulmonologists for complex respiratory disease, paediatric endocrinologists for diabetes and growth problems, paediatric gastroenterologists for digestive problems, and other specialists ensuring comprehensive coordinated care.
Growth and Development Monitoring:
We track children’s growth (height, weight, head circumference) identifying problems early, monitor developmental milestones (motor skills, language, social development), screen for developmental delays allowing early intervention, and provide guidance on age-appropriate development and parenting.
Your Child's Health, Your Peace of Mind
Children get sick. It’s inevitable, anxiety-provoking, and exhausting. The midnight fever that terrifies you, the persistent cough keeping everyone awake, the concerning rash you can’t explain, the developmental milestone your child hasn’t reached whilst their peers have, these moments trigger parental fear and the urgent need for expert guidance.
You need a paediatrician who listens to your concerns without dismissing them, examines your child thoroughly, explains clearly what’s happening and what to do, and provides accessible ongoing care as your child grows.
Childhood is a journey, from helpless newborn through independent adolescent. Along this journey, health concerns arise requiring expert paediatric care. Some concerns are routine (colds, minor injuries, normal developmental variations). Others are serious (severe infections, chronic diseases, developmental delays). All deserve attention from specialists dedicated to children’s health.
Our paediatricians understand that behind every medical concern is a worried parent seeking reassurance, accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and the confidence that their child will be okay. They’ve chosen paediatrics because they love caring for children, supporting families, and making meaningful differences in children’s lives.
Your child deserves healthcare that recognises they’re not a small adult but a unique developing person requiring specialised expertise. Healthcare that listens to parental concerns, examines thoroughly, communicates clearly, and builds relationships over years. Healthcare that’s accessible when needed, for routine check-ups, acute illnesses, chronic condition management, and emergencies.
That expert paediatric care is available. Not in distant Pretoria requiring lengthy journeys and impersonal encounters. Right here, in your community, where your paediatrician knows your child’s name, remembers previous visits, recognises parental anxiety and provides reassurance, and is available when your child needs medical attention.
Your child’s health matters. Your peace of mind matters. And you deserve paediatric care that provides both.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Concerns and Honest Answers
Trust your instincts, you know your child. Concerning signs include difficulty breathing (working hard to breathe, blue lips), altered consciousness (difficult to wake, not responding normally), severe pain, high fever in infants under 3 months, persistent vomiting preventing hydration, no wet nappies in 8+ hours (dehydration), seizures, neck stiffness with fever, purple rash not blanching with pressure, or simply your gut feeling something is very wrong. When concerned, seek medical attention, better to check and be reassured than delay when something is seriously wrong.
Most childhood illnesses are viral, colds, most ear infections, bronchitis, most throat infections. Antibiotics don't help viral infections and have side effects (diarrhoea, rashes, promoting antibiotic resistance). Paediatricians prescribe antibiotics when bacterial infections are diagnosed or highly suspected, strep throat, bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infections, some ear infections. Asking "Is this bacterial or viral?" helps understand whether antibiotics are appropriate.
Fever without other concerning symptoms in children over 3 months usually isn't dangerous. However, fever lasting more than 3-5 days, particularly with worsening symptoms or no obvious source, warrants evaluation. High fever (over 39-40°C) isn't automatically dangerous, what matters more is how your child appears overall. A child with 40°C fever playing happily is less concerning than a lethargic child with 38°C fever.
No. Healthy children average 6-8 colds yearly. Most resolve within 7-10 days with supportive care (fluids, rest, fever management). See your GP or paediatrician when cold is unusually severe, lasts beyond 10-14 days, causes breathing difficulty, is accompanied by high persistent fever, or you're simply worried. Trust your instincts.
Sick children typically have reduced appetite. This is normal. Ensure adequate fluid intake (more important than food during acute illness). Offer small amounts of preferred foods. Don't force eating, appetite returns as they recover. Weight loss during acute illness is normal and temporary.
Yes. Vaccines are among the safest, most effective medical interventions. They protect against dangerous diseases that killed or disabled millions of children before vaccines existed. Side effects are typically mild (sore arm, low fever). Serious complications are extremely rare, far rarer than complications from diseases vaccines prevent. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports vaccination safety and effectiveness.
Yes. Vaccines are among the safest, most effective medical interventions. They protect against dangerous diseases that killed or disabled millions of children before vaccines existed. Side effects are typically mild (sore arm, low fever). Serious complications are extremely rare, far rarer than complications from diseases vaccines prevent. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports vaccination safety and effectiveness.
This is challenging. Strategies include mixing medicine with small amounts of favourite food (check with pharmacist, some medications shouldn't be mixed with food), using medicine syringes or droppers directing medicine toward cheek (not straight back throat), praising and rewarding medication-taking, being firm but calm, and asking pharmacist about different formulations (some come in different flavours). Never describe medicine as "candy", this is dangerous. Be honest it's medicine to make them better.
General rule: when fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, when feeling well enough to participate, and when no longer contagious. Specific illnesses have different exclusion periods, ask your paediatrician about specific conditions.
Adolescents naturally seek independence and privacy. Concerning signs include dramatic behaviour changes, social withdrawal, falling grades, loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed, changes in eating or sleeping, mood changes (severe sadness, irritability, anger), talk of self-harm or death, risky behaviours, or simply your parental gut feeling something is wrong. Paediatricians can provide confidential adolescent consultations creating safe space for teenagers to discuss concerns they won't share with parents.