5 Indicators that a Paediatrician Visit is in Order - Dr. Shaun Segal reveals the things that parents should not neglect

The following is the reality, when you and your child are concerned about their health, that is that feeling in the stomach that costs little or nothing to follow. And when you are not quite sure whether you would need to call the doctor, on the one hand, it is always better to check; and on the other hand, it is always better not to wait. Most symptoms might appear minor, but they may lead to deeper things underneath the surface.

Hello, I am Dr. Shaun Segal, a practicing pediatrician in Johannesburg and I would like to take you through five indicators that will tell you it is time to take your child to see a doctor. it will not frighten you, but will put you in strength. It is half the battle because you know what to look out.

1. Frequent Fever or sicknesses

Children experience fevers. They are a part of the body natural defense system. However, when a fever of some sort repeatedly returns or your child appears to be developing every kind of bug under the sun it is time to get a little more in depth.

Some questions that I tend to ask the parents:

Has your child been infected by more than 5 6 infections within a half a year?

• Do the fevers go beyond 3 days?
• Does your child still appear to be tired despite the fever being broken?
• Do you find an antibiotic necessary and frequently or not useful as one might think?

Such trends may indicate such problems as weak immunity, chronic inflammatory state, allergies that were not diagnosed. Other times it is just a simple case of repeated infection that is not so severe that makes your child say something is wrong.

What we do:

 Based on such situation, I will elicit a complete history, complete examination of your child, and even request a blood work or studies of immune functions. What is more important is that I will study the pattern of illness and I will not treat the instances of illness on a case-by-case basis.

2. Developmental Slows or Behavioural Changes

Every kid reaches his or her milestones in his or her own time though we are guided by some milestones.

In case your child is not:

• Using 3 months to smile
• Down sitting at 8 months
• Speaking some words at 15 18 months
• Locomotion at age 18 months
• By the age of 2.5-3 years by use of the short sentences

At the same time it pays to call them in.

However, the important thing here is that it is not merely a matter of missing milestones. It is also about loss of abilities that they once had or alteration of interactions, concentration or locomotion.

The changes in behaviour are also important. When a child that is outgoing and inquisitive turns off and becomes withdrawn, aggressive or anxious, the child may be having an issue that is either medical or emotional.

So what we do:

 In my clinic we do not only consider height and weight of a child but the entire child. I administer age-relevant tests and never fail to give my time to discuss your concerns (however minor these may be). And in case it does not work, I will direct you to the appropriate source of support be it speech therapy, OT or further neurological evaluation.

Also Read:- Boosting Immunity Naturally: Dr. Shaun Segal’s Advice for Healthier Children

3. Persistent Bowel Problems: Constipation, Diarrhoea or poor appetite

One of the most frequent and the most underrecognized causes of children requiring pediatric care is digestive problems.

It is normal to have some occasional stomach bugs. However, in case your son or daughter is:

• Regularly had constipation (< 3 stools a week or terrible/prickly)
• Experiencing continuous loose bowel movement or diarrhoea
• And is complaining about tummy ache every day
• Hiding or refusing food or growing poorly

Check in time.

The reason is important:

Long-term gastric problems may be an indication of food intolerances, allergices, coeliac disease, intestinal infections or they may even be caused by emotional stress. Neglecting them may cause inadequate weight gain, iron-deficiency and mood swings.

So what we do:

 I will just take a complete food history, inquire about family history, and also look at the possibility of nutritional deficiency. Depending on the case, we may look into blood analysis, allergy test, or fecal examination. but above all I shall have something to say about it in simple understandable language and we will talk it out.

4. Difficulty in Breathing or Cough that does not go away

Not all colds coughs are just that.

In case your child experiences a cough, which:

• Takes over 3 weeks
• Become worse at night or during an exercise
• Accompanied with wheezing or rapid breathing
• Causes them to moan or choke in the throat

It may be something bigger than a virus. Such symptoms may be an indicator of either asthma or allergies or postnasal drip or even uncaught chest infections.

I have treated numerous children who have been administered with O/T cough syrups several months before one of their parents brought them to see me. At that point, we usually have a loop of inflammation that cannot be treated with band-aids.

Our business:

I will examine the breathing of your child, listen to its chest, examine oxygenation, and inquire about triggers during the visit. We can perform lung functions tests or a test of asthma drugs, should a need arise. The objective is easy: make your child breath easier, sleep easier, and live more active, and fearless life.

5. Unrelenting Emotional/ Sleep Struggles That Can’t be resolved

Emotional health of children must be as important as a physical one, particularly, in the context of modern world. Whereas, when your child:

• The daily meltdowns that go past the toddler stage?
• Becomes recalcitrant to school attendance
• Gives indications of worry or depression
• Gets up before falling asleep regularly, or you have the nightmares, or do not want to sleep alone
• Develops odd attachment, anxiety or reticence

…it is not PC: it is not that if they do not have a phone to call that this is a passing thing, this is a signal to them that they might need help.

I am a pediatrician, and thus, when diagnosing a patient with emotional burnout, school anxiety, bullying, or family stress, I may notice early signs long before the patient can be diagnosed. And when these are caught early enough, children recover much quickly.

Our activities:

 I respond to such cases in a mild manner. I talk to your child in a manner that is safe and I attentively want to hear what you are becoming aware of in your home. I will as well refer you to a trusted child psychologist or counselor should this be necessary. We may also discuss the screen time, sleeping habits, diet and lifestyle that influences mood.

Recommended Reading: Dr. Shaun Segal’s Top Strategies for Managing Children’s Sleep Disorders

Bonus Sign: Something Feels Wrong in You

The truth of the matter is nobody loves your child more than you do. Have you experienced some change in energy, sleep, appetite, behavior, or, a feeling, it is just not the same, then it may be worth your time to come in.You will have the peace of mind even when everything goes well. And when it requires attention we shall be pleased that you did not wait.

When You Visit Dr. Shaun Segal What Happens?

By taking your child to me you do not merely check a list. You are entering a place where your child is not hurried because he/she is noticed, listened to, and attends to.

This is what can be expected:

Comprehensive symptom and medical history A complete medical history and symptom analysis

• Soft, searching inspection
• Explanations that are proper to your child according to his age
• No jargon answers to your questions (no jargon)
• An obvious course of action be it a treatment, a watchful eye or a referral

We do not simply cope with symptoms. We seek regularity. We bridge the gappage. And we consult you in all decisions.

Final Thoughts: Don t Wait until Serious occur – Diagnose Things at an Early Stage

I am acquainted with how convenient it can be to say that we must wait some not many days and then will see. That is okay some times. However, on other occasions, delaying leads to meeting the window of opportunity when early intervention is the only way out.

Being Dr. Shaun Segal, I would say that the earlier you intervene in terms of medical, behavior or emotional challenge the child is the better.

It is, then, unnecessary to go on and on since you either aren not sure, or at least you feel that things are not right, then talk. You are not overdoing it. You are doing a super-delicious job as parent.