I’ve worked with children for many years, and as a Dad myself, I know how important it is that every child feels safe, comfortable, and truly listened to. I also know how worrying it can be when something doesn’t feel quite right. Parents know their children best, so working closely with you, including listening to your concerns and answering your questions, is always a priority.
We had a really informative consultation with Dr. Makwana. He was very good with our little one and answered all our concerns. Highly recommended paediatric consultant.
Heart murmurs are extra noises heard in the heart. Although worrying, they are very common, and many are innocent. Depending on findings, tests such as an ECG or chest X-ray may be arranged, and if a murmur doesn’t sound innocent, referral to a paediatric cardiology specialist may be recommended.
These episodes are understandably frightening for parents, but they are often caused by common, harmless conditions. Part of the assessment is to carefully and gently determine what has happened, reassuring you when findings are benign, and arranging further checks and referrals only when there is a reason to do so.
Constipation is pretty common in kids and usually not serious. It can be tied to diet or happen even if they eat well. If they have tummy pain, struggle to go, or see blood, it’s time to do something. Treating it usually means mixing medicine, food tips, and support to help kids feel comfy using the toilet.
Accurate diagnosis of a urinary infection is particularly important in younger children. Urinary symptoms can have various causes (including simple cystitis). Assessment may include arranging appropriate investigations/scans to assess underlying issues and provide reassurance. While investigations are ongoing, the focus is also on protecting the kidneys from further infection.
Concerns about weight and growth are common and can cause a lot of worry for families. Children come in all shapes and sizes, and not being “average size” does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. What matters most is steady growth over time. If there are concerns, I can help decide whether reassurance is enough or whether further support or investigation would be helpful.
Diarrhoea can have many causes, including infection, food intolerance/allergy, or (rarely) underlying bowel or immune problems. The key is understanding whether reassurance is sufficient or whether tests are needed, particularly to ensure your child’s nutrition isn’t put at risk.
Many babies bring up milk from time to time, but reflux can be uncomfortable and distressing – causing babies to cry, vomit and arch their backs in pain. Severe reflux can affect feeding, sleep, and even growth. It’s important to distinguish reflux from less common causes of vomiting (including urine infections, food allergy, and rare gut problems), and to tailor treatment to help your child feed comfortably.
Young children often have coughs, colds, and tummy bugs, especially in the early years and during winter. Although this can feel relentless, it is usually a normal part of the immune system learning to cope. A careful assessment can be very reassuring, and where there are concerns, I can investigate and advise whether any further checks are needed.
Sleep difficulties are very common in children and can be exhausting and stressful for the whole family. Sometimes sleep problems are part of normal development, but they can also be linked to anxiety, reflux, breathing issues, or underlying medical conditions. A careful assessment helps to identify what’s driving the problem, offer reassurance when things are typical for age, and provide practical, tailored advice or further checks to help your child (and you) get better rest.
Many childhood medical problems are common. As parents, we can’t help but worry when our child is unwell or not themselves. While many childhood illnesses are not serious, they deserve time, careful assessment, and clear explanations. In a private paediatric consultation, my focus is on listening properly, examining thoroughly, and giving you confidence about what is (and isn’t) going on.
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