Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Allergies in children are not simply a matter of sneezing in spring or avoiding peanut butter sandwiches. For a significant and growing proportion of children in Qatar and worldwide, allergic disease is a lifelong journey that begins in infancy, evolves through childhood and […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Walk into any pharmacy in Qatar and you will find entire shelves dedicated to children’s supplements. Colorful gummy vitamins, multivitamin syrups, omega-3 drops, iron tonics, immune boosters and products promising to make children healthier, taller and smarter line every display. The marketing is […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in children worldwide and Qatar is no exception. Despite being entirely preventable and straightforwardly treatable once identified, a significant number of children with iron deficiency anemia remain undiagnosed for months or even […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Few things cause parents more sleepless nights than noticing the scale is not moving, or worse, that their child appears to be dropping weight. Every parent tracks their child’s growth instinctively and when something does not look right, the worry is immediate and […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) It is completely natural as a parent to wonder whether your child is hitting their milestones on time. Is she walking when she should be? Is he saying enough words for his age? Is this behavior normal or is it something we should […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Hearing your child cough through the night or watching them struggle to breathe through a blocked nose is one of the most universally stressful experiences of parenting. In Qatar, where nurseries and schools bring children into close contact and where the transition between […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Dealing with a child who has diarrhea is one of those parenting experiences that is simultaneously exhausting and worrying. You find yourself constantly checking nappies, counting stools, monitoring how much your child is drinking and wondering when it will end. Is this normal? […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) It is 2:00 AM. You reach over to check on your child and their forehead feels like a furnace. You grab the thermometer, watch the number climb and your heart immediately drops. Should you rush to the emergency room right now? Should you […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) A rash on a child’s skin is one of the most common reasons parents visit a paediatric clinic and also one of the most anxiety-inducing. Rashes can appear suddenly, spread quickly and look alarming even when the cause is entirely benign. At the […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Every parent watches their child grow with a mixture of wonder and quiet anxiety. The first smile, the first step, the first word. These moments are celebrated because they represent something profound: a small human being steadily becoming more capable, more connected and […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Children grow faster than we can sometimes track. In the space of a few months a toddler becomes a runner, a school-age child becomes a reader and a teenager becomes someone with opinions, ambitions and an appetite that seems impossible to satisfy. This […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) The transition from an all-liquid diet to solid foods is one of the most exciting and often confusing milestones in your baby’s first year. At Wellkins Medical Centre, our department is frequently asked: “When is the right time?” and “What should I offer […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Dealing with a picky eater is one of the most common and frustrating challenges parents face. The daily struggle over vegetables, the refusal to try anything new and the worry about nutrition can turn mealtimes from a bonding experience into a battleground. At […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva (Specialist Pediatrics – Wellkins Medical Centre) Childhood obesity is a complex health challenge worldwide, and addressing it requires sensitivity, education, and, most importantly, a positive family approach. It’s not simply about food; it involves genetics, environment, stress, and sleep. As a dedicated partner in family health, Wellkins Medical Centre […]
Author: Dr. Joanne Mae J Villanueva, Specialist Pediatrics Wellkins Medical Centre As a parent, there are few things more concerning than a sick child. The sound of a persistent cough, the sight of a runny nose, and the feel of a fever can send even the most experienced parent into a spiral of worry. In […]
