Dr Jo Jones, Private Consultant Paediatrician
Issues I can help with
Dr Jo Jones
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General kids' issues:More specialised areas:Click on any problem listed above for more information. Heart murmursHeart murmurs are extra noises heard in the heart. They are quite common and frequently ‘innocent', meaning that there is nothing actually wrong with your child's heart. The older the child is, the more likely this is the case. I may have to arrange a chest X–ray and an ECG (heart tracing), neither of which will worry your child. If I feel the murmur may not be innocent, I would need to refer your child to a heart specialist from Birmingham Children's Hospital. AsthmaWheeze, cough and ‘chest infections' are common especially in the winter months. Sometimes, they are due to asthma. Asthma can be confused with simple viral infections which give similar symptoms. Asthma needs treatment with regular medication using specialist guidelines, whereas viral wheeze needs occasional and different medication. I will be able to tell you whether your child has asthma or not, and advise you on the best treatment to keep your child safe, happy and able to join in with all activities. ^ back to list of issues Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy affects a child's brain and therefore their development. It ranges from mild disability that does not hold a child back in life to severe problems with all aspects of a child's health and development. Children and parents may need a huge amount of extra help and resources, and the children often need very careful monitoring from different health professionals. I have a great deal of experience in diagnosis of and working with children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions, to make sure they achieve their very best. I have a great deal of experience in working with children with different degrees of cerebral palsy, and similar conditions, to make sure they achieve their very best. Working holistically, I concentrate on all needs as well as physical symptoms. Where necessary, I work with my colleagues in Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy to provide the best possible assessment and treatment for your child. I may recommend however that your child is best looked after long term by your local Child Development Centre. ^ back to list of issues EczemaEczema is very common and, in most cases, responds well to careful use of creams alone. In some cases, dietary adjustments are needed. I will advise on all aspects of treating eczema, including dietary changes and allergen avoidance and detection. ^ back to list of issues Fits, faints and funny turnsThese events can cause considerable worry to parents. Many are due to quite straightforward things which I can reassure you about, and which rarely need any form of treatment. Occasionally, the underlying cause is more significant, such as epilepsy or an abnormal heart rhythm. I have the experience to diagnose what is happening to your child and to treat it. I may need to arrange tests such as an EEG (brain wave test) or ECG (heart tracing). ^ back to list of issues ConstipationConstipation is extremely common and is due to a wide range of causes, such as children not eating well, not drinking enough and worrying. It is rarely due to a significant bowel disorder. Treating with laxatives alone rarely works long term. The child becomes scared of going to the toilet, and this worsens the problem. I always use careful behavioural management as well as gentle medications. This approach teaches a child, whatever their age, to understand what is happening to them so that they feel more in control. I have an excellent success rate in treating children and teenagers, often with years of failure, misery and embarassment. I will look for the cause of the constipation, as well as treating it where necessary with gentle medications. I will help you with any dietary changes necessary, as I understand how difficult it can be to get children to eat healthily. ^ back to list of issues Headaches and migrainesHeadaches cause parents huge worry as they tend to fear the worst. Most headaches are due to simple causes which are generally straightforward to treat successfully. I have the necessary experience to know when a headache needs to be investigated and when reassurance is the best management. I may rarely need to arrange a brain scan for your child. ^ back to list of issues AllergiesAllergies are common, and so are more simple ‘intolerances'. Many children needlessly start highly complex food exclusion diets to treat physical symptoms. I can diagnose your child's allergy or intolerance sometimes with a blood test and sometimes with a simple measure such as single food exclusion, often for a relatively short period of time. Sometimes, special diets may be required for more complex intolerances or true allergies. In this case, I may choose to work with my colleague, a specialised dietician to ensure that your child's nutrition is never put at risk. ^ back to list of issues Urine infectionsUrine infections are quite common but so is simple cystitis. The younger the child, the more important it is to diagnose a true urine infection reliably. Symptoms can be confusing, especially in a baby. I can accurately assess your child, putting your mind at rest. I will arrange any necessary scans to make sure your child's kidneys are protected at all times. ^ back to list of issues Weight problemsWeight issues can worry both parents and children. We all hope that our children are thriving, but when a child isn't ‘average', we ask whether there is something wrong. I can advise you when you feel your child is not putting on weight as well as expected, so that any underlying cause is carefully looked for, as well as working to make sure your child's weight is right for them. Alternatively, I can help your overweight child to lose weight without losing their self–esteem, by means of careful dietary advice, exercise and behavioural methods. ^ back to list of issues DiarrhoeaDiarrhoea may be due to infection, food intolerance or allergy, or rarely, due to an underlying general bowel or immune problem. Your child may need tests to find out what is causing the problem so that their nutrition is not put at risk. I have the experience to know when tests are necessary and when reassurance is all that is needed. ^ back to list of issues Minor to severe developmental delayWhen does a ‘late' walker or talker actually have a problem? Sometimes, a careful assessment followed by reassurance is all that is needed. At other times, a comprehensive assessment is essential to ensure that your child receives all the help necessary to achieve their best in life. I'm qualified to assess anything from minor speech and language delay or delay in walking, through to more complex or severe general delay. I may need to arrange blood tests or scans to make sure that any underlying cause is looked for. Sometimes, I work with specialised colleagues in fields such as Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Together, we can speedily assess your child and start accurate, effective treatment if a significant developmental delay is suspected which is unlikely to sort itself out on its own. I can also liaise with Education to make sure that any disability, no matter how small, is taken into consideration. ^ back to list of issues EpilepsyEpilepsy can show up as strange movements, ‘blanks' or funny spells. Other causes such as heart problems or psychological problems can look like epilepsy. Diagnosing epilepsy is complicated and can have serious consequences if mistakes are made. Children need assessment from an experienced doctor trained specifically in childhood epilepsy so that the diagnosis is not missed, or equally importantly, not made incorrectly. My considerable experience and higher qualifications qualify me to treat children with mild to moderate epilepsy according to national ‘best practice'. Those with complex epilepsy should be looked after by an Epilepsy Specialist such as those at Birmingham Children's Hospital. ^ back to list of issues Sleep ProblemsMost parents have had a child who has slept poorly at one time or another. Not only does the child suffer, at school and in their behaviour, but the whole family misses out on much needed rest. I use specialised behavioural techniques, with occasional careful use of medication, to help your child begin and maintain a healthy, natural sleep pattern. Your child will improve physically, emotionally and educationally, and the whole family will benefit. Sleep difficulties can sometimes be the cause of extremely disruptive behavioural problems. I can treat these, and also consider other possible underlying conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or Autistic Spectrum Disorder. ^ back to list of issues Behavioural ProblemsParents want to feel that they are in control of their children without being unnecessarily strict. It's great to be able to go out for lunch with confidence that everyone will have a good time, including Mum and Dad! If everything with your toddler, child or teenager seems like a battle, no-one has a good time. I use proven behavioural techniques to help parents feel in control at home and out and about, no matter how severe the problems are. This benefits the whole family. It may be helpful for me to see the child in their home environment as that is where they will be at their most natural. I'll make sure that any possible uncommon underlying conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Autism or Learning Difficulty are considered, and can help you if I diagnose them. I may refer to my colleague, a highly experienced Child Psychologist, for more in-depth work if necessary. ^ back to list of issues AutismChildren with Autism have problems with speech and language, socialising and play. Difficulties can vary from relatively subtle problems needing support and reassurance after diagnosis through to severe problems needing assessment and help from a range of Therapists. I'm qualified to assess and diagnose Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger's Syndrome. National guidelines require a diagnosis to be made by at least two appropriately experienced and expert health professionals. Fulfilling this, I work with my colleague who is a highly experienced Child Psychologist, also an expert in this area. We will carry out a careful and comprehensive assessment of your child using assessment of behaviour patterns, questionnaires and also in-depth reports from school. Assessment will take at least two hours. Our joint approach complies with national standards and our diagnoses are accepted and acted upon by Education and Social Services. This ensures that your child is not disadvantaged, and that they have the support they need to do their very best. I will also assess your child for any other often associated conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia or learning difficulties which may be less obvious but can still cause problems. ^ back to list of issues ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)Children in general can be exhausting, especially children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)! Such children display an extraordinary lack of concentration and an inability to slow down. This is often coupled with tremendously difficult behaviour in and outside the home and poor school performance. Children with ADHD need a careful clinic assessment, along with in-depth home and school questionnaires, to make an accurate diagnosis. Medications may be used but always in combination with a Behavioural Programme, as this has been shown to give best results. I'm qualified to assess, diagnose and treat ADHD and other related difficulties, and will provide careful follow–up to ensure that your child is being appropriately and safely treated especially if on medication. I'll also liaise with school to ensure that your child is not disadvantaged. ^ back to list of issues Learning DisabilityWe all want our children to do as well as possible at school. Children who struggle academically lose confidence and self–esteem. An important task is to make sure they are proud of themselves and can do other activities that they feel they can succeed in. I'll assess your child holistically to make sure that any underlying causes have been looked at. I work closely with Education and Social Services to ensure that your child receives the help they need to achieve their very best. I may refer you to my colleague who is an expert Educational Psychologist at a reputable research department at Aston University. This will make clear what your child is capable of, and also what can be done to then help them achieve their true potential. ^ back to list of issues Global Developmental DelayA child who seems far behind other children of a similar age always causes great concern. For some children, there is an underlying cause which needs to be examined, but many children will have lots of tests without an eventual diagnosis. The most important thing is to make a full assessment looking at the child as a whole. I'll look at all aspects of their health, development and behaviour, involving my colleagues in Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy where necessary. Any other necessary therapists can then be involved to make sure that advice and treatment is of the very best. I have the experience to assess your child holistically when you are concerned that they are not achieving what you expected. I'll look at all aspects of their health, development and behaviour, involving my colleagues in Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy where necessary. We will work with you to help your child reach their full potential. ^ back to list of issues Joint problemsA child with painful joints or a limp can be concerning for parents, especially if there is a family history of arthritis. In actual fact, most joint problems in children are due to temporary causes and will settle with minimal treatment. Parents need to see a Paediatrician who knows when to arrange further investigations, but equally, can assess and simply provide reassurance if appropriate. Your child may need blood tests to ensure that there is no serious cause. ^ back to list of issues Problems with growth or sexual maturationChildren who appear too short, too tall or who are not developing sexually as they should are always worrying. They can be teased and suffer lack of self-esteem. Sometimes, the cause is a family tendency towards short stature or late puberty, but at other times, there is a significant problem which won't improve with time, needing further tests. I can monitor your child, arranging tests such as blood tests, X–rays and scans where necessary, if there are concerns about growth or puberty. Highly complex tests may be infrequently required, needing referral to a Paediatric Endocrinologist at Birmingham Children's Hospital. ^ back to list of issues RefluxBabies who cry, vomit and arch their back can often be suffering from Reflux. This is when the milk in their tummy goes back up towards their throat rather than staying down. Reflux can cause normal stomach acid to hit the gullet (oesophagus) which can be intensely painful. This causes screaming and back-arching, often with poor feeding and sleeping. It can also cause persistent vomiting, and even failure to thrive if severe. It's very important to distinguish it from other less common causes of vomiting, such as urine infections, food intolerances and rare gut abnormalities. Comprehensive treatment, with medication where necessary, enables your baby to feed and grow in comfort, and you as a parent to enjoy nurturing your child. ^ back to list of issues Repeated infectionsChildren, especially for the first few years of life, often seem to be constantly suffering from one infection or another. Parents often worry that there is something wrong with their child's immune system. The vast majority of infections are simply Nature's way of stimulating an immature childhood immune system into learning to cope with future infections. Certain types of infections, however, warn experienced Paediatricians to check a child very carefully including blood tests where necessary. I have the experience to know when to reassure and when to investigate, giving you peace of mind that your child is not in danger. ^ back to list of issues Tummy painsTummy aches are extremely common in children, including those going on for some time. Most pains are actually due to relatively straightforward things such as constipation, which are generally easy to treat. Sometimes, there is no obvious cause, and I can quickly arrange tests such as blood tests and a scan, if only for reassurance. Emotional upsets and stresses frequently show up as tummy pains. It can often be difficult to work out what is due to stress and what is due to a physical cause, especially as the two get mixed up together. Parents worry that they are ‘missing something', and need the reassurance of an experienced Paediatrician who can spot if there really is a physical cause, but who has the sensitivity to be able to piece together what may be happening at an emotional level if this is the case. I have considerable experience both in diagnosing and treating physical causes of tummy pains. Sometimes, the pains are due to deep-seated emotional stresses needing careful psychological help. I can quickly arrange any necessary diagnostic tests, attending sensitively to any underlying stresses. ^ back to list of issues 
General checkup or “MOT”Any general concerns that you have will be listened to and addressed before checking your child thoroughly for any physical problems, including growth and blood pressure. I'll assess their development and any behavioural or social concerns, including school issues if necessary. The aim of this is to provide peace of mind, and arrange appropriate and speedy treatment where necessary. Any specific health issues that arise may need a further appointment so that I can advise you comprehensively. This consultation is likely to take about an hour. < back to Why choose me?
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