Pediatrics & Neonatal Care

At UMC Hospital, a leading pediatric hospital in Entebbe, we care for newborns, infants, children, and adolescents across a wide range of conditions. Our unit is equipped to handle both planned consultations and urgent presentations. Whether a mother is bringing in a feverish toddler, a family has noticed something abnormal in their newborn, or a school-age child has been unwell for weeks without a clear diagnosis, we approach each case with the same attention to detail and the same commitment to getting it right.

Conditions We Treat

Our paediatric team manages a broad range of medical, surgical, and neonatal conditions, including:

• Neonatal emergencies and congenital conditions
  Birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, neonatal sepsis, jaundice requiring phototherapy, feeding difficulties, and selected congenital anomalies identified at or after birth.
• Infections and fever
  Malaria, typhoid, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and other bacterial or viral illnesses are common in the region.
• Gastrointestinal problems
  Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea with dehydration, abdominal pain, constipation, and conditions such as intussusception or hernias.
• Respiratory conditions
  Recurrent wheeze, bronchial asthma, lower respiratory tract infections, and children presenting with breathing difficulty.
• Nutritional disorders
  Severe acute malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and growth faltering in infants and toddlers.
• Neurological concerns
  Febrile convulsions, epilepsy, developmental delay, and altered consciousness.
• Blood disorders
  Sickle cell disease, anaemia, and bleeding conditions requiring evaluation and management.
• Skin and allergic conditions
  Eczema, allergic reactions, and recurrent skin infections.
• Surgical paediatric conditions
  Managed in coordination with our surgical team — including appendicitis, undescended testes, hydrocele, and trauma.

Common Symptoms

The following symptoms are among the most common reasons families visit us:

• Persistent or high-grade fever not responding to standard treatment
• Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, or chest in-drawing
• Refusal to feed in a newborn or young infant
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting with bile
• Severe or worsening diarrhoea with signs of dehydration
• Seizures or loss of consciousness
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes in a newborn
• Abnormal muscle tone - too floppy or too stiff - in a newborn
• Unusual swelling or lump in the abdomen, groin, or neck
• Delayed milestones or regression in a previously developing child

How We Diagnose

A thorough history and physical examination remain the foundation of paediatric diagnosis.

Depending on the presentation, we may use:

• Blood tests
  Full blood count, malaria smear, blood culture, electrolytes, renal and liver function, and others as clinically indicated.
• Urine and stool analysis
  Particularly useful in infections, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal presentations.
• Chest X-ray
  For respiratory symptoms, cardiac concerns, or suspected foreign body.
• Abdominal ultrasound
  The first-line imaging tool for most abdominal complaints and neonatal assessments.
• Lumbar puncture
  When meningitis or encephalitis is suspected, performed safely with appropriate preparation.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  For cardiac symptoms or abnormal findings on examination.

We explain each investigation to parents before it is performed. If a procedure is uncomfortable or carries any risk, we discuss it honestly and obtain proper consent.

Treatments We Offer

• Intravenous fluids and medication
  For dehydration, severe infections, and conditions requiring close monitoring.
• Oxygen therapy
  Available continuously for respiratory emergencies, severe anaemia, and neonatal distress.
• Phototherapy
  For neonatal jaundice, with monitoring of bilirubin levels throughout treatment.
• Antimalarial and antibiotic treatment
  Administered according to current national guidelines, with weight-based dosing and documented monitoring.
• Nutritional rehabilitation
  Structured feeding protocols for children with severe acute malnutrition, with caregiver education and outpatient follow-up planning.
• Seizure management
  Acute management of convulsions with access to emergency medications, followed by investigation and long-term anticonvulsant planning where needed.
• Blood transfusion
  Available for severe anaemia and sickle cell crises, with appropriate screening and monitoring.
• Surgical referral pathways
  For conditions requiring operative intervention, our surgical team works closely with the paediatric unit to plan and execute care safely.

Technology & Infrastructure

Our neonatal unit is equipped to manage premature babies and critically ill newborns with a level of support that is not widely available across the region. Key facilities include:

• Incubators with temperature regulation and humidity control for premature and low-birth-weight infants
• Phototherapy units for neonatal jaundice management
• Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring for sick newborns and high-dependency paediatric patients
• Point-of-care blood glucose monitoring for hypoglycaemia management
• Paediatric-specific infusion pumps for precise fluid and medication delivery
• On-site laboratory with rapid turnaround for urgent paediatric investigations
• Ultrasound accessible for bedside and ward-based assessments

The ward environment is designed with children and their families in mind.

Preventive Care

• Immunization — Vaccination status is checked at every visit; missing doses are administered or scheduled.
• Malaria prevention — Guidance on insecticide-treated nets, indoor protection, and early treatment-seeking.
• Growth monitoring — Regular weight and height checks to catch growth faltering early.
• Newborn warning signs — Parents are advised on red flags in the first weeks and the importance of early follow-up.
• Breastfeeding support — Help establish feeding, resolve difficulties, and transition to complementary foods.

When to See a Doctor

Seek care urgently if your child is:

• Under two months old with any fever or difficulty feeding
• Breathing fast, showing chest in-drawing, or unable to complete a sentence
• Having a seizure, is unconscious, or cannot be roused
• Severely dehydrated - no tears, sunken eyes, dry mouth, not passing urine
• Pale, weak, or showing signs of severe anaemia
• A newborn who is jaundiced and the yellow colour is spreading below the chest

For older children, high fever with a stiff neck, persistent vomiting, blood in stool, or any rapidly worsening condition warrants prompt medical review.

Why Patients Choose Us

Experienced pediatric specialists in Entebbe at UMC Hospital offer specialized medical care to your child after a complete review.

• A neonatal unit that can manage premature and critically ill newborns who would otherwise require transfer to Kampala
• Clear communication - parents are told what we found, what we think it means, and what we plan to do
• Integrated care - when a child needs surgical review, imaging, or specialist input, that coordination happens within the same facility
• Continuity - we aim for the same team to follow a child through admission and into outpatient review, so families are not explaining the same history to a different doctor every day

FAQS

• Can a parent stay with their child during admission?
  Yes, and we encourage it. A familiar caregiver present at the bedside supports recovery, particularly in younger children. Our nursing staff will work with you on feeding, positioning, and monitoring so you understand what is happening throughout.
• My child was born premature. How long will they need to stay in the neonatal unit?
  It depends on the degree of prematurity, birth weight, and any complications present. Most premature babies are discharged once they can maintain their temperature in an open cot, feed adequately, and show consistent weight gain.
• How do I know if my child needs emergency care or can wait for a morning appointment?
  If your child is having difficulty breathing, cannot be roused, is having a seizure, or is a newborn with fever or no urine output, come in immediately - do not wait.
• My child keeps getting a fever and malaria every few months. Is something else going on?
  Recurrent malaria is common in this region, but frequent episodes in the same child do warrant a closer look. Underlying anaemia, a weakened immune response, or inadequate treatment completion can all contribute. Consult our team for a complete check-up.
• My child has been unwell for two weeks, and we have seen two doctors already. Can you help?
  Yes. A prolonged illness with no clear diagnosis after initial treatment is exactly the kind of case that benefits from a second, more structured review. Bring your child for a consultation with our team at UMC Hospital.
• What does paediatric care cost at UMC Victoria Hospital?
  Consultation fees, investigations, and admission charges vary depending on what your child needs. We will give you a clear cost estimate before any investigation or procedure is started, so there are no surprises.