Haze, Itchy Eyes & “Moderate” Air Quality? Haze blanketed the sky, turning daylight into a murky gray. The smell of smoke clung to everything- clothes, hair, even the air itself—and within minutes, eyes began to itch. Yet the Air Pollution Index (API) still read as “moderate,” or barely tipping into “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Something
Meningococcal Infection in Children: Rare but Real By Dr. Soo Among the less common but highly dangerous infections lies one that deserves more awareness: meningococcal disease. When we talk about infectious diseases in children, many parents immediately think of the common culprits — the flu, stomach bugs, or hand, foot, and mouth disease. Though rare,
Why Kids Should Go Easy on Ultra-Processed Foods These are examples of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and they’ve quickly become staples in many children’s diets. While convenient and often kid-approved, ultra-processed foods raise serious concerns when consumed in excess, especially during a child’s critical years of growth and development. Walk through any supermarket aisle and you’ll
Influenza Season: Stay Calm and Stay Safe By Dr Joann Every year, flu season arrives with a fresh wave of worry for parents. This year, that anxiety has intensified following recent reports of flu-related complications and even deaths in children. We understand how unsettling it can be to hear such news. But while flu infections
Night-Time Cough in Kids By Dr Joann A child’s night-time cough—especially when it disrupts sleep—can be distressing for both the child and caregiver. As the sun sets and bedtime approaches, many parents notice an unsettling pattern: their child, who may have seemed fine during the day, suddenly starts coughing more persistently at night. This is
Growth Spurts in Babies: What Parents Need to Know By Dr. Soo Has your baby suddenly started feeding more often, getting fussier, and waking more at night? If so, take a deep breath — you’re not alone, and there’s a good reason for this behavior. Your baby may be going through a growth spurt! Growth
“Don’t Worry, They’ll Catch Up Later…” — Why Waiting on Childhood Nutrition Can Be Risky By Dr Joann When it comes to childhood nutrition, this wait-and-see approach can carry real risks. The early years—especially from birth to five years old—represent a critical, non-replicable window of development. During this time, a child’s brain is growing at
Understanding Febrile Seizures in KidsBy Dr. Soo As a paediatrician, one of the most distressing situations parents face is seeing their child experience a seizure. It is particularly alarming when it happens in the context of a fever, often unexpectedly. Febrile seizures can be terrifying to witness, but fortunately, they are usually harmless and self-limiting.
Is Your Child’s Toothbrush Making Them Sick? By Dr. Joann Rajah Toothbrushes can be a hidden culprit behind recurrent illnesses in children. As a pediatrician, I often encounter cases where children suffer from repeated infections, especially tonsillitis. While it’s natural to look at medical causes and treatments first, sometimes the answer lies in more unexpected,
Why Is My Child’s Skin Peeling After HFMD? By Dr. Joann Rajah “Why is my child’s skin peeling? Is something wrong?” As a pediatrician, one of the most common concerns I hear from parents after their child recovers from Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). If you’ve noticed that your child’s skin is flaking or
