ABOUT
Description
Dr Zaheer Cajee is a paediatrician in Durban who treats various childhood disorders, illnesses and infections. He specialises in treating chronic disorders such as epilepsy, asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Dr Cajee attained his MBChB from Walter Sisulu University and became a Fellow of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa. He has experience working for the Department of Health in KZN and the South African Military Health Services. While working as a registrar at the Department of Health and Paediatric Medical Officer, Dr Cajee operated on critically ill infants using mechanical ventilation and lumbar puncture. He has experience in various specialities, including orthopaedics, general surgery and internal medicine.
Dr Cajee runs both his practices from Isipingo and Nu-Shifa Hospital, treating neonates and children with acute and chronic conditions.
482 Randles Road, Sydenham
Berea, Durban, 4091
Suite 6 1st Floor, 162 Phila Ndwandwe Road,
Isipingo Rail, Isipingo, Durban, 4133
Services includes :
- Quality healthcare
Dr Cajee offers high-quality healthcare to children of all ages. He prioritises their care by carrying out regular child-wellness visits and advising on immunisation schedules to prevent severe illness. In addition, by treating paediatric conditions and managing chronic illnesses, Dr Cajee ensures the wellbeing of every child. - Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a fatal bacterial or viral infection affecting one or both lungs. There are two types of pneumonia-lobar pneumonia that occurs in the lung’s lobes and bronchopneumonia that arises from the inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli). Once the air sacs become inflamed, they accumulate fluid, thus making it challenging for oxygen to flow to the lungs. Pneumonia causes a high fever, coughing with phlegm, chest pain and fatigue. In severe cases, children are hospitalised. Dr Cajee uses a statoscope to listen for fast and irregular breathing, but ultimately, a chest x-ray rules out or confirms pneumonia. - Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a lung disease due to infection from a number of viruses. Children and infants are susceptible to bronchiolitis during harsh South African winters from June to August. Bronchiolitis is a result of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which spreads quickly through air droplets and can live on surfaces over many hours. Children contract RSV when coming into contact with other infected individuals or touching contaminated surfaces. They are highly infectious between the third and eighth day of contracting the virus. - Allergic conditions
Children develop allergies when their bodies develop an unfavourable reaction to specific types of substances which most consider harmless. An allergic reaction is when the body produces antibodies (proteins) in response to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, chemicals, soaps, shampoos and food. When this occurs, the body has an unnatural, unfavourable reaction to the supposed harmless substance. Exposure to an allergen prompts an unlikely reaction ranging from mild to severe. An allergic reaction causes red, sore eyes, a runny or congested nose, trouble breathing and tightness in the throat - Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a condition many people refer to as hay fever that occurs due to an unhealthy reaction to environmental elements. These symptoms are seasonal, happening during certain months or all year round. Pollen spreads from trees which is a common type of allergen and therefore causes allergic rhinitis symptoms. Mould spores also contribute to the condition. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include fatigue, runny nose, nasal congestion, pain in the chest, watery eyes and a wheeze. There are tests to determine whether children are allergic to substances. Phadiotop/Rast Inhalant test and skin prick test are types of allergic reaction assessments. - Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common issue among children. A paediatrician assesses a child’s level of pain and carries out diagnostic tests to determine the cause of mild to severe abdominal pain. Stomach pain occurs for a number of reasons, which is why determining the cause is critical in formulating a comprehensive treatment plan. Abdominal pain may occur due to enlarged lymph nodes, constipation, indigestion, the formation of gallstones, gastroenteritis and appendicitis. An x-ray or ultrasound of the stomach will determine the cause of the pain. Sometimes a stool test is necessary to check for a virus responsible for pain. - HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a lifelong illness that targets immune system cells causing recurrent infections and affecting organs and the growth and development of children. HIV spreads by means of infected bodily fluids such as blood and breast milk. Unfortunately, mothers can easily transmit HIV to their babies by feeding them breast milk. It is especially easy for babies to contract HIV from mothers who are not on antiviral treatment. Babies may develop HIV by drinking contaminated breast milk or while inside the womb. HIV/AIDS remains incurable, and the only treatment available is antiretroviral therapy. - ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) results in high energy levels and an inability to focus on tasks. Children with ADHD struggle to perform in the classroom and cannot sit still. A condition such as this creates much distress, causing a child to become depressed due to their inability to fathom the nature of their condition. Certain contributory factors of ADHD in children include a family history of ADHD, exposure to alcohol or tobacco while in the womb, and premature birth. - Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis causes a runny stomach at least three times daily. Nausea or vomiting and abdominal pain accompany gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis may occur due to a viral or bacterial infection that enters the mouth through contaminated fingers. Children typically experience runny tummies when they have not been vaccinated against Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Astrovirus and Norovirus. Apart from this, they are most likely to contract it at crèche while eating or playing with others. Gastroenteritis is likely to spread by consuming raw meat or eggs and drinking unpasteurised milk, or playing with other infected children. - Dermatitis
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, causing redness and itchiness. A child's skin starts to become thick and grow pale for many reasons, including genetics, inadequate protection from their immune system or external allergens (soaps, perfume, shampoos or weather conditions). There are ways to diagnose dermatitis in children, including taking a blood test to trace the amount of immunoglobulin or a skin prick test to check whether any allergies may contribute to the condition. - Eczema
Eczema causes dry, scaly patches to form in different parts of the skin. Eczema occurs due to a poor skin barrier that is unable to retain water, preventing hydration. As a result, skin dryness occurs, leading to scratching, irritability and poor sleeping patterns in babies. Testing for allergies is crucial as this determines the cause of the breakouts. Potential allergens could be dust mites, perfumes, hormones, pet dander and types of fabrics. Although there is no cure for eczema, conservative remedies such as topical moisturisers, anti-inflammatories, and corticosteroids relieve symptoms. - Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological ailment that affects a child’s nervous system, causing seizures. A seizure occurs due to irregular electrical activity in the brain. Hypotension, hypertension, fever and stimulant withdrawal can all lead to seizures, but when this occurs with no known cause, epilepsy is likely the reason for these episodes. There are types of seizures (generalised) that involve the entire brain or isolated (localised) that affect one part of the brain. Treating epilepsy involves prescribing anti-epileptic drugs to manage a child’s seizures. - Infectious diseases
Children are prone to numerous infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, pneumonia and gastroenteritis. When left untreated, infectious diseases can turn fatal. Children are exposed to infectious diseases due to their close contact with other people. These types of infections spread through contact with mucous and saliva-When other children come into contact with infectious droplets, they may easily become infected. A viral infection such as HIV is transmissible through a bodily fluid such as blood and requires lifelong care. - Influenza
Influenza (flu) targets the respiratory system, also affecting the throat and nose. Children under six months and younger than five years are susceptible to flu. Untreated influenza can lead to a majority of complications or may turn deadly. Even when children are vaccinated against influenza, there still remains a risk of them getting flu. Influenza causes fever, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, coughing and fatigue. A virus is the cause of influenza, so drinking enough water and resting are all required to treat the flu. - Otitis Media
Otitis Media is an infection that affects the middle ear, which is quite common in children. Children who develop a middle ear infection experience pain in the area and a high fever. This is largely due to the build-up of fluid in the child’s middle ear, causing infection. Otitis media, together with effusion, is a term to describe "glue ear,” a condition that causes fluid to pool in the middle ear even after the infection clears up. Otitis media leads to an earache and problems with a child’s hearing. Treating otitis media in children includes prescribing pain relief medication and antibiotics and taking the necessary safety precautions - Upper and lower respiratory tract infection
The difference between lower and upper tract infections depend on their location within the child’s respiratory tract. Transmission is likely to occur as a result of contact with an infectious fluid. When a child casually touches their mouth or nose, viruses may enter just as easily. In addition, being in a crowd often increases their risk of respiratory tract infections, significantly contributing to the transmission rate. Symptoms of respiratory tract infections include coughing, muscle pain, wheezing, pain in the chest and fever. - Management of acute and chronic illness, infections and other paediatric health conditions
The most widespread paediatric conditions include flu, allergies, gastroenteritis and conjunctivitis. The most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease is to practice good hygiene by washing hands when coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. Remaining up to date with vaccinations is crucial in preventing the spread of chronic or acute diseases. Vaccinations reduce the threat of severe illnesses such as diphtheria and measles. - Well-visit child consultations
From three years old, regular well-visit child consultations remain a priority. These visits are ongoing up until the child turns eighteen. A paediatrician conducts a physical exam and performs continuous screenings to check for developmental delays or infectious diseases. Dr Cajee will advise parents on what to include in their child's diet, speak up about any nutritional issues, and provide knowledge on conditions or developmental problems. The purpose of these well-child visits is to gain valuable information about the child, including their physical, emotional and mental state. - Newborn attendance and neonatal care, including neonatal ICU
Usually, premature babies born before 37 weeks are transferred to the neonatal intensive care ward. Inside NICU, medical professions demonstrate their expertise in operating with tiny surgical instruments and medical equipment to deliver high-quality care to newborn babies. - Paediatric and neonatal admissions
Neonates are admitted to emergency care when they develop respiratory problems, hypoglycaemia, jaundice (yellowing of the skin being a tell-tale sign), and asphyxia. Often children are admitted to intensive care when they develop croup, a well-known respiratory illness and stridor, or a foreign airway body. In the event the child swallowed a foreign body, immediate medical care is necessary to relieve any airway obstruction and prevent death - Vaccinations
An immunisation schedule can be overwhelming to consider, but parents must adhere to this to prevent their children from getting fatal diseases, including polio, diphtheria, and tetanus. These vaccinations prevent the rapid spread of infectious diseases and safeguard the health of all children. A vaccine comprises a weakened version of a virus, so when a child receives their first vaccine, their body creates antibodies to fight against infectious disease. All children have an immunisation form that alerts others as to what vaccines they received. - Nebulisation
A nebuliser is a medical device that converts medicine to mist so children can easily inhale it through their personal-sized breathing masks. Nebulisers are portable, making it easy for parents to carry them around all over with them. Children who have trouble breathing or suffer from asthma will benefit from nebulisation. A nebuliser uses medications like corticosteroids to treat inflammation within the airways and bronchodilators to relieve any blockage in the air passages. Children take between 5-10 minutes to finish their treatment using a nebuliser. - Growth monitoring:
Growth monitoring involves taking regular measurements of a child’s height, weight and head circumference. Dr Cajee plots these measurements on a growth chart, indicating any significant changes or abnormal findings in the child’s appearance. A child’s size changes over the years, and these measurements are monitored as well. Growth lines mark different phases of a child as he or she develops and either show that everything is normal or there is something possibly wrong




