Paediatrics

The paediatrics department at Allergy Asthma Foundation cares for babies, children and young people up to their eighteenth birthday. We look after the newborn in the nursery, the toddler with a stubborn fever, the school child with asthma and the teenager who needs a calm, confidential consultation. Paediatricians, neonatologists, child-health nurses and dietitians work as one team, and every clinic is set up to feel unhurried and child friendly.

Each AAF centre offers same-week outpatient appointments, a Level II neonatal intensive care unit, a dedicated children's day-care area and a separate paediatric emergency pathway so that unwell children are not waiting alongside adults.

Conditions we care for

The team looks after common and complex childhood health needs, including:

• Fever, coughs, colds and chest infections
• Asthma, wheeze and allergy
• Diarrhoea, vomiting and feeding difficulties
• Newborn jaundice, low birth weight and prematurity
• Poor weight gain and concerns about growth
• Delayed development and behavioural concerns
• Recurrent tummy pain, constipation and bedwetting
• Skin rashes and childhood infections
• Long-term conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes in children

Tests, treatments and clinics

Assessment

• Full physical examination and growth measurement against standard charts
• Blood and urine tests, kept to the minimum a child needs
• Lung function testing for older children with asthma
• Hearing and vision screening
• Developmental assessment where there are concerns

Clinics and services

• Newborn and premature-baby follow-up
• Vaccination: the full national schedule, plus catch-up and travel vaccines
• Asthma and allergy clinic
• Nutrition and growth clinic
• Day-care treatment for conditions that do not need an overnight stay

What happens at your visit

1. The paediatrician asks about your child's symptoms, birth history, feeding, development and immunisations.
2. Your child is weighed and measured, and the results are plotted on a growth chart.
3. A gentle examination is carried out, with time for your child to settle.
4. Any tests are explained first, and kept as brief as possible.
5. You leave with a clear plan, advice on what to watch for, and a follow-up arrangement if needed.

How to prepare

• Bring your child's immunisation record and any growth chart or health book.
• Bring a list of current medicines, including inhalers and their doses.
• Note when the symptoms started and what makes them better or worse.
• Bring a favourite toy, snack or comfort item for younger children.
• For a teenager, allow some time in the consultation for them to speak on their own.

Care alongside other departments

Children's care often crosses departments. We work with the paediatric respiratory and allergy teams for asthma and wheeze, with obstetrics for shared care of a newborn, with ENT for tonsils and glue ear, and with the laboratory and pharmacy teams who provide child-sized doses and gentle sample taking. When a child has a long-term condition, one paediatrician stays as the main point of contact.

When to seek help urgently

Take your child to the nearest emergency department, or call our 24-hour line, if they have:

• Fast or laboured breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in around the ribs
• A blue tinge to the lips, or unusual drowsiness and difficulty waking
• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
• A fit or seizure, or a stiff neck with a dislike of bright light
• Signs of dehydration: no wet nappies, no tears, a sunken soft spot in a baby

Questions parents ask

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book a paediatric appointment directly. Bringing your child's health record and immunisation history helps the paediatrician build a full picture.

Will my child need blood tests?

Only if they will change the plan. When a test is needed, our nurses are experienced in taking samples from children quickly and kindly.

Can a parent or guardian always stay with the child?

Yes. A parent or guardian is welcome to stay for consultations, tests and, wherever it is safe, during procedures and any hospital stay.

To book a paediatric consultation at your nearest AAF centre, use the online booking page or request a callback and our coordinators will help.