Paediatric Pulmonology

Our paediatric pulmonology teams look after babies, children and teenagers whose breathing or lungs need specialist attention. We test how well young lungs work, from spirometry to methods suited to children too small to blow into a machine. When problems are harder to pin down, we investigate with airway camera tests and genetic studies.

What is paediatric pulmonology?

Paediatric pulmonology is the care of children's lungs, airways and breathing, from newborns to teenagers. Specialists diagnose and manage everyday breathing problems such as asthma and wheeze, long-term conditions like cystic fibrosis, and breathing that's disturbed during sleep. Much of the work is ongoing, tracking how a child breathes and grows over time. It sits alongside ENT care, which handles structural problems of the tonsils and adenoids, and allergy services, where asthma has an allergic trigger.

When should you see a paediatric pulmonologist?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• A cough or wheeze that keeps coming back
• Breathlessness or fast breathing, at rest or during play
• Chest infections that keep returning
• Snoring, noisy breathing or pauses in breathing at night
• Breathing trouble that limits your child's play, sport or sleep

If your child is too breathless to talk, eat or drink, their lips look blue, or their reliever inhaler is not helping, this is an emergency: go straight to your nearest emergency department or call for emergency help.

Some children are seen because of a known risk rather than a symptom, such as being born prematurely or having a strong family history of asthma or allergy. A GP or paediatrician often refers a child to a paediatric pulmonologist, though you can also book an appointment directly, and your doctor can advise on what's needed.

What to expect

At the first appointment, the specialist asks about your child's breathing, how they sleep and feed, and any pattern to their symptoms. They examine your child and listen to the chest. Children old enough to follow instructions, usually from around five years, may do a lung function test called spirometry. This means blowing into a machine that measures airflow. Younger children have simpler tests instead, and a chest X-ray is sometimes arranged.

Treatment depends on what's found. Many children with asthma or wheeze manage well with an inhaler and spacer, guided by a written asthma action plan that sets out what to do day to day and during a flare-up. Others need allergy input, regular chest physiotherapy to clear the airways, or oxygen support. The specialist explains the options and agrees the next step with you.

Paediatric pulmonology at Mediclinic

We provide paediatric pulmonology at our hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where children see specialists in a child-centred setting. Our children's lung function testing ranges from spirometry to gentler options for younger children, and we can assess whether a child is fit to fly. When a diagnosis is harder to reach, we'll use airway camera tests, nasal brushing and genetic testing. These help confirm conditions such as cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia. We also train families in inhaler technique and provide airway clearance for long-term conditions. When a breathing problem is part of a wider picture, our teams work with paediatric, ENT and allergy colleagues.