By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K A two-week-old baby is brought to my rooms because he’s “not feeding well.” His weight gain has slowed. His mother worries he is still hungry after every feed. A well-meaning relative has suggested that her milk is “too thin.” Another has advised
The Other Patient: What Every Breastfeeding Consultation Should Remind Us Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K The child has headaches; or stomach aches; or suddenly refuses to go to school. Perhaps they’re irritable, tearful, struggling to sleep, or asking the same question repeatedly. Most parents don’t walk into a consultation saying, “I think my child has anxiety”; and
More than Worry: Recognising Anxiety in Children and Adolescents Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K Most parents know what cigarettes smell like. Many would not recognise a vape in their teenager’s school bag. That is part of the problem. Over the past few years, vaping has become increasingly normalised among adolescents. Sleek devices, sweet flavours, discreet packaging,
Vaping and Teen Health: What Youth Month Should Make Us Talk About Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K It happens in seconds. A toddler pulls on a kettle cord. A cup of tea is placed just within reach. Bath water runs a little too hot. One moment is all it takes – and suddenly, a child presents with a burn.
Burns in Children: The First 10 Minutes That Matter Most Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K -Why Behaviour Often Reflects Overload, Not Defiance When autism is discussed in everyday conversation, the focus often falls on behaviour. -Why does the child avoid eye contact? -Why do they repeat movements? -Why do they have meltdowns , or struggle in busy
Understanding the Autistic Nervous System Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K When we think about children’s rights, we think about safety, education, healthcare, and protection. Rarely do we think about sleep. And yet, insufficient sleep is now recognised as a significant public health concern. International data suggest that up to one in three
The Right to Rest: Why Sleep Is a Child Health Issue Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba — Paediatrician | Pocket Paediatrics with Dr K We are raising children in a very different world from the one we grew up in. Food is available everywhere, at any time, in bright packaging designed to catch a child’s eye. Sugar is hidden in yoghurts, cereals, juices, and even foods
Raising Healthy Kids in a Junk-Food World Read More »
By Dr Khutso N. Sebetseba, Paediatrician Every December, paediatric units across South Africa see a predictable surge in specific emergencies. The combination of school holidays, travel, heat, disrupted routines, and more time spent around water creates a perfect storm for childhood injuries and illnesses. This article outlines the most common paediatric presentations during the festive
