Treatments
The Ethekwini Hospital And Heart Centre Paediatric Unit
The Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre’s paediatric unit offers comprehensive and specialized treatments across a broad range of medical fields, addressing both common childhood conditions and complex, rare disorders. With a multidisciplinary approach, treatments are tailored to meet the specific physical, developmental, and emotional needs of children, ensuring the highest standard of care
General Paediatrics
Preventive care:
Vaccinations, routine check-ups, and growth monitoring.
Acute illness management:
Treatment for common childhood illnesses like infections, fevers, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.
Chronic disease management:
Care for asthma, diabetes, allergies, and developmental disorders.
Nutritional and developmental support: Guidance for healthy growth and development.
Vaccinations, routine check-ups, and growth monitoring.
Acute illness management:
Treatment for common childhood illnesses like infections, fevers, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.
Chronic disease management:
Care for asthma, diabetes, allergies, and developmental disorders.
Nutritional and developmental support: Guidance for healthy growth and development.
Paediatric Cardiology
Congenital heart disease management:
Non-invasive treatments, medication, or surgical referral for congenital heart defects like septal defects or valve abnormalities.
Arrhythmia management:
Treatments for irregular heartbeats, including medications, pacemakers, or catheter ablation.
Heart failure management:
Medications, lifestyle changes, and monitoring for children with heart failure.
Cardiac imaging:
Echocardiograms, MRIs, and CT scans to assess heart function and structure.
Non-invasive treatments, medication, or surgical referral for congenital heart defects like septal defects or valve abnormalities.
Arrhythmia management:
Treatments for irregular heartbeats, including medications, pacemakers, or catheter ablation.
Heart failure management:
Medications, lifestyle changes, and monitoring for children with heart failure.
Cardiac imaging:
Echocardiograms, MRIs, and CT scans to assess heart function and structure.
Paediatric Endocrinology
Diabetes management:
Insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and dietary management for children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Growth disorders:
Hormone therapy to treat conditions such as growth hormone deficiency or disorders like Turner syndrome.
Thyroid disorders:
Treatment of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules.
Puberty-related conditions:
Management of precocious (early) or delayed puberty using hormone therapy.
Insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and dietary management for children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Growth disorders:
Hormone therapy to treat conditions such as growth hormone deficiency or disorders like Turner syndrome.
Thyroid disorders:
Treatment of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules.
Puberty-related conditions:
Management of precocious (early) or delayed puberty using hormone therapy.
Paediatric Genetics
Genetic counselling:
Offering support and information to families regarding inherited conditions and risks.
Management of genetic disorders:
Treatments for conditions such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and metabolic disorders.
Diagnostic testing:
Genetic testing for chromosomal abnormalities or metabolic issues using blood tests, biopsies, or advanced genetic techniques.
Personalized treatment plans:
Tailored interventions based on a child’s specific genetic makeup.
Offering support and information to families regarding inherited conditions and risks.
Management of genetic disorders:
Treatments for conditions such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and metabolic disorders.
Diagnostic testing:
Genetic testing for chromosomal abnormalities or metabolic issues using blood tests, biopsies, or advanced genetic techniques.
Personalized treatment plans:
Tailored interventions based on a child’s specific genetic makeup.
Paediatric Haematology
Leukaemia and lymphoma treatment:
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplants for childhood cancers.
Anaemia management:
Treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia or sickle cell anaemia, including blood transfusions, medications, and lifestyle adjustments.
Clotting disorder management:
Care for conditions like haemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, including clotting factor infusions and monitoring.
Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation:
For blood and immune system disorders, offering potential cures for conditions like severe aplastic anaemia.
Anaemia management:
Treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia or sickle cell anaemia, including blood transfusions, medications, and lifestyle adjustments.
Clotting disorder management:
Care for conditions like haemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, including clotting factor infusions and monitoring.
Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation:
For blood and immune system disorders, offering potential cures for conditions like severe aplastic anaemia.
Paediatric Nephrology
Acute kidney injury management:
Treatment of kidney infections, acute kidney failure, and related emergencies with medications, IV fluids, and dialysis.
Chronic kidney disease management: Monitoring and treating long-term kidney conditions to prevent progression.
Nephrotic syndrome treatment:
Use of medications such as corticosteroids and immune-modulating therapies to manage nephrotic syndrome.
Dialysis:
Haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for children with end-stage renal disease.
Treatment of kidney infections, acute kidney failure, and related emergencies with medications, IV fluids, and dialysis.
Chronic kidney disease management: Monitoring and treating long-term kidney conditions to prevent progression.
Nephrotic syndrome treatment:
Use of medications such as corticosteroids and immune-modulating therapies to manage nephrotic syndrome.
Dialysis:
Haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for children with end-stage renal disease.
Paediatric Pulmonology
Asthma management:
Inhalers, nebulizers, and medications for controlling asthma symptoms and preventing attacks.
Chronic lung disease treatment:
Specialized care for children with chronic lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, often requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
Cystic fibrosis treatment:
A multidisciplinary approach including medications, chest physiotherapy, and nutritional support.
Sleep apnoea management:
CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery for children with obstructive sleep.
Inhalers, nebulizers, and medications for controlling asthma symptoms and preventing attacks.
Chronic lung disease treatment:
Specialized care for children with chronic lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, often requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
Cystic fibrosis treatment:
A multidisciplinary approach including medications, chest physiotherapy, and nutritional support.
Sleep apnoea management:
CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery for children with obstructive sleep.
Paediatric Surgery
Congenital anomaly repair:
Surgical correction of congenital conditions like cleft lip, hernias, or spina bifida.
Minimally invasive surgery:
Laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgeries for faster recovery and less scarring.
Emergency surgery:
Surgical intervention for acute conditions like appendicitis, trauma, or intestinal blockages.
Tumour excision:
Removal of tumours or growths, including paediatric cancers and benign masses.
Surgical correction of congenital conditions like cleft lip, hernias, or spina bifida.
Minimally invasive surgery:
Laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgeries for faster recovery and less scarring.
Emergency surgery:
Surgical intervention for acute conditions like appendicitis, trauma, or intestinal blockages.
Tumour excision:
Removal of tumours or growths, including paediatric cancers and benign masses.
Paediatric Surgery
Medication Management
Anti-epileptics: For epilepsy and seizure control (e.g., levetiracetam, valproate).
Muscle Relaxants : For spasticity in conditions like cerebral palsy (e.g., baclofen, botulinum toxin).
Stimulants : For ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines).
Antipsychotics: For behavioural disorders or autism-related aggression (e.g., risperidone, aripiprazole).
Anti-migraine Drugs: Triptans, NSAIDs, and preventive medications like propranolol or amitriptyline.
Immunotherapy : Steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or biologics for autoimmune conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis or paediatric autoimmune encephalitis).
Therapies
Physical Therapy : To enhance motor skills and reduce muscle tightness in conditions like cerebral palsy.
Occupational Therapy : Helps children develop skills for daily living and adaptive techniques.
Speech and Language Therapy : For communication disorders or swallowing difficulties.
Dietary and Nutritional Interventions Ketogenic Diet : For drug-resistant epilepsy.
Specialized Diets : For metabolic or genetic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU).
Surgical Interventions Shunt Placement : For hydrocephalus to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Advanced and Emerging Treatments Gene Therapy : For genetic conditions like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) (e.g., Evrysdi)
Assistive Devices Orthotics : For mobility and posture support.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids : Customized for individual needs
Psychological and Educational Support Psychological Counselling : For emotional and behavioural challenges.
Rehabilitation Programs : Interdisciplinary programs combining physical, occupational, and speech therapies for children recovering from traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Emergency and Acute Care Seizure Management : Emergency use of medications like diazepam rectal gel or intranasal midazolam.
Infection Management : Antibiotics or antivirals for meningitis and encephalitis.
Anti-epileptics: For epilepsy and seizure control (e.g., levetiracetam, valproate).
Muscle Relaxants : For spasticity in conditions like cerebral palsy (e.g., baclofen, botulinum toxin).
Stimulants : For ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines).
Antipsychotics: For behavioural disorders or autism-related aggression (e.g., risperidone, aripiprazole).
Anti-migraine Drugs: Triptans, NSAIDs, and preventive medications like propranolol or amitriptyline.
Immunotherapy : Steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or biologics for autoimmune conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis or paediatric autoimmune encephalitis).
Therapies
Physical Therapy : To enhance motor skills and reduce muscle tightness in conditions like cerebral palsy.
Occupational Therapy : Helps children develop skills for daily living and adaptive techniques.
Speech and Language Therapy : For communication disorders or swallowing difficulties.
Dietary and Nutritional Interventions Ketogenic Diet : For drug-resistant epilepsy.
Specialized Diets : For metabolic or genetic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU).
Surgical Interventions Shunt Placement : For hydrocephalus to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Advanced and Emerging Treatments Gene Therapy : For genetic conditions like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) (e.g., Evrysdi)
Assistive Devices Orthotics : For mobility and posture support.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids : Customized for individual needs
Psychological and Educational Support Psychological Counselling : For emotional and behavioural challenges.
Rehabilitation Programs : Interdisciplinary programs combining physical, occupational, and speech therapies for children recovering from traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Emergency and Acute Care Seizure Management : Emergency use of medications like diazepam rectal gel or intranasal midazolam.
Infection Management : Antibiotics or antivirals for meningitis and encephalitis.
