Paediatric Medicine

As a parent, concerns about your child’s health and wellbeing can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a persistent symptom, changes in development or simply a worry that something doesn’t feel right, having access to trusted specialist support can provide reassurance and clarity.

At Affidea, our paediatric service supports children from birth to 16 years of age. Our Consultant Paediatricians and specialist practitioners provide assessment, diagnosis and ongoing support for a wide range of general paediatric conditions, always with a compassionate and family-centred approach.

We understand that every child develops differently. Our focus is on listening carefully to your concerns, understanding your child’s needs and helping you access the right care at the right time.

Overview: What is paediatrics?

Paediatrics is the area of medicine focused on the health, development and wellbeing of babies, children and young people.

Children can experience a wide range of conditions as they grow, from common illnesses and allergies to developmental concerns or ongoing health issues. Paediatric care helps identify the cause of symptoms, monitor development and provide treatment or reassurance where needed.

At Affidea, our paediatric service provides support for both short-term illnesses and longer-term concerns. Where appropriate, we can also arrange onward referrals to specialist teams to ensure joined-up care for your child.

What to expect during your appointment

Your child’s appointment is designed to provide a thorough understanding of their symptoms, health and development.

During the consultation, the specialist will:

• Take a detailed medical history, including symptoms, development and family history

• Discuss any concerns you may have about your child’s health, wellbeing or behaviour

• Carry out an appropriate physical examination if required

• Review any previous investigations or treatments

• Recommend further tests or investigations where appropriate

• Provide advice, reassurance and a clear plan for next steps

If further specialist input is needed, we can help coordinate onward referrals to the appropriate multidisciplinary teams.

Paediatric conditions we assess

Allergies

Reactions to foods, environmental triggers or other substances that may cause rashes, swelling, breathing symptoms or digestive issues.

Asthma and wheeze

Breathing conditions that can cause coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.

Abdominal pain

Ongoing or recurrent stomach pain that may affect eating, sleep or daily activities.

Colic

Episodes of excessive crying or distress in babies, often linked to discomfort or digestive symptoms.

Cow’s milk protein intolerance

A reaction to proteins found in cow’s milk that can cause feeding difficulties, reflux, rashes or digestive upset.

Growth and developmental concerns

Concerns relating to height, weight, speech, movement, learning or developmental milestones.

Constipation

Difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements that may cause discomfort or abdominal pain.

Eczema

A common skin condition causing dry, itchy or inflamed skin.

Fits, faints and funny turns

Episodes involving loss of consciousness, unusual movements or sudden changes in behaviour or awareness.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux

A condition where stomach contents move back up into the oesophagus, causing sickness, discomfort or feeding issues.

Headaches

Frequent or persistent headaches that may interfere with school, sleep or daily life.

Lethargy and tiredness

Ongoing fatigue, low energy levels or excessive sleepiness.

Nutritional concerns

Support for feeding difficulties, restricted diets, poor weight gain or nutritional deficiencies.

Recurrent colds, coughs and respiratory conditions

Repeated respiratory illnesses or symptoms affecting breathing and overall wellbeing.

Recurrent infections

Frequent infections that may require further assessment to understand the underlying cause.

Urinary tract infections

Infections affecting the urinary system, which can cause pain, fever or changes in urination.

Unusual lumps and bumps

Assessment of swellings or skin changes to determine whether further investigation is needed.

6 to 8 week postnatal baby checks

Routine newborn assessments to monitor your baby’s growth, development and general health.

General concerns requiring a paediatric opinion

For symptoms, behaviours or health concerns where specialist reassurance or assessment may be helpful.

When to seek a paediatric assessment

You may wish to arrange a paediatric appointment if your child has ongoing symptoms, recurrent illnesses or changes in their health or development that are causing concern.

You might benefit from a paediatric assessment if your child has:

• Persistent coughs, wheezing or breathing concerns

• Digestive symptoms such as reflux, constipation or abdominal pain

• Skin conditions such as eczema or allergies

• Frequent infections or ongoing tiredness

• Concerns regarding growth, feeding or development

• Episodes of fainting, unusual movements or headaches

• General symptoms that have not improved or remain unexplained

If you are unsure whether your child would benefit from paediatric assessment, our team is happy to advise and guide you towards the most appropriate care pathway.