Dr Willem Smit Paediatrician

Dr Willem Smit Paediatrician This page is intended to give information to my patients. Unfortunately I can not give any advice to the public that comments on my posts.

23/09/2025

FALSE WARNING BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP:

Clarification on Tylenol (Paracetamol) Use in Pregnancy and Autism.

The following statement has circulated regarding the proposed link between Tylenol (paracetamol) use during pregnancy and autism. It is important to present this information accurately and responsibly.

President Donald Trump recently claimed that the cause of autism has been identified and attributed the rise in autism diagnoses to the use of Tylenol (paracetamol) during pregnancy, based on statements from certain “health”advisers.

This claim is not supported by current scientific evidence. There is no credible evidence that paracetamol taken during pregnancy causes autism.

What is supported by research is that maternal fever during early pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Importantly, fever itself—rather than any specific medication—has been implicated in some observational studies as a potential risk factor. This does not establish causation, and the relationship is complex and not fully understood.

The potential harms of untreated fever in pregnancy are recognized; high fevers can pose risks to the developing fetus. Therefore, managing fever effectively and safely is important, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

It is inappropriate to draw definitive conclusions about causal relationships between paracetamol exposure and autism.

Decisions about medication use in pregnancy should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare providers who can weigh benefits and risks based on the individual clinical context.

In summary:
•Do not rely on political statements or non-expert sources for medical advice.
•Do not change medical plans without discussing with a reliable medical practitioner.
•If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and have questions about fever, pain management, or medication safety, consult your obstetrician, midwife, or primary care physician for personalized guidance.

26/08/2025

ADHD follow-up post:

I would like to follow up on my previous post about ADHD from earlier this year.

Since then, the reach has been meaningful: more than 25,000 people viewed the post, and the feedback from parents has been highly encouraging.
I have welcomed many new patients with ADHD and associated learning difficulties who sought help earlier thanks to the increased awareness generated by the initial post.
It is encouraging to see growing recognition that early intervention is essential for better long-term outcomes.

Key takeaways:
Early identification and intervention can prevent many complications and improve school performance, behavior, and overall quality of life.
Children with ADHD may experience anxiety, emotional symptoms, aggression, or low self-esteem when their needs are not addressed. With timely support, these outcomes can be mitigated.
A multidisciplinary approach is crucial. Medication is one component, and not all children will require it.

On treatment considerations:
When medication is appropriate, my goal is to determine the most effective medication, at the most suitable dose, and in the best possible combination for the child.
The objective is to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects.
Treatment typically begins with a low dose based on the child’s weight and clinical needs, with careful titration to an optimal dose if needed.
The aim is to support focus and functioning without introducing excessive stimulation or adverse effects.

A note on cognitive profiles:
Many individuals with ADHD have average or above-average intelligence, yet may underperform academically due to attentional and processing challenges.
Verbal processing and listening comprehension can be areas of relative weakness that benefit from targeted interventions and support.

Final reflections:
Early, coordinated intervention can prevent many of ADHD’s difficulties and significantly influence a child’s future academic and personal success.
I’m grateful for the positive engagement and the tangible changes in families’ lives stemming from this work.

If you or someone you know would like to discuss ADHD, early intervention, or a tailored multidisciplinary plan, please feel free to reach out and contact my office for an appointment.

07/01/2025

ADHD
AND THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

It’s important to give your child the best chance to reach their full potential in life.

One major part of being successful in life is to have the ability to learn and retain information and solve problems.

Optimal concentration is required to preform these tasks and get a good education that sets you up for the next phase of life.

The earlier a child with concentration problems is identified the more successful the intervention will be.

Early intervention and treatment of ADHD can also reduce the risk of secondary problems.
Untreated ADHD often leads to anxiety , aggression , poor socialisation and poor self esteem ultimately increasing the risk of substance abuse later in life.

ADHD like most conditions is a spectrum that varies from mild to severe.
Some children are not hyperactive but just inattentive and impulsive and are sometimes less easy to spot and often leads to late diagnosis and delayed treatment.

The ideal is to identify a child with ADHD early when they just start with grade one and even as early as grade R already.

Treatment is often delayed because parents are in denial and first try alternative treatments that does not work.

Sometimes the uninformed think that ADHD is over diagnosed and over treated.

It must be understood that there is no incentive for a doctor to diagnose and treat ADHD other than to help your child reach their full potential.

Often by the time a child ends up in the ADHD specialists office there had been many experts like the teachers, educational psychologists, occupational therapists, remedial teachers and speech therapists to mention a few, that have already spotted the problem.

The diagnosis is based on information obtained by all of the above experts.

All that a parent needs to do is to take all this information given to them and get the opinion of an ADHD specialist and follow their advice.

It’s also advisable that both parents attend the consultation , if possible,to address any concerns and questions parents may have.

Once the diagnosis of ADHD has been made a treatment plan will be discussed and initiated.

A follow up appoint will be scheduled to evaluate the response on the treatment and adjusted if needed.

I personally enjoy treating ADHD because of the amazing response and the difference it makes in the lives of children and their families.

I once had a 7 year old boy come back after a month of treatment and I asked him if he thought the medication worked for him.
His answer was just so good and funny that I have to share it.
He said that the medication did nothing to him but it did make better people of his teacher and his mother….!! And that said it all.

Don’t delay consulting someone that can help your child.

For Appointments
Phone 021 975 00 35

02/01/2025

I would like to wish everybody a happy 2025 with an abundance of everything especially health for all.

Our offices will be opening on Monday 06/01/25 at 08h00.

Please phone early on Monday since I expect it to be a very busy week.

Everybody that books an appointment on Monday will be seen the same day.

Let’s all make a difference for good this year!

I’m looking forward to be of service to all the sick children and concerned parents in 2025 like I’ve done for the past 27 years here in Durbanville.

03/12/2024

The myth of Man-Flu:

The term "man flu" is often used humorously to describe the perception that some men tend to exaggerate their symptoms of common colds or mild illnesses, claiming to be much more affected than women. This notion plays into stereotypes about gender and illness, suggesting that men are less resilient to discomfort and more likely to seek sympathy or attention when they feel unwell.

Research indicates that, generally speaking, women tend to have a stronger immune response to influenza and other viral infections compared to men. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including biological, hormonal, and genetic influences. As a result, men may be at a higher risk of severe complications and death from influenza, particularly in certain age groups and among those with underlying health conditions.

1. Immune Response:
Studies have shown that estrogen and other female hormones can enhance immune responses, while testosterone may have immunosuppressive effects.

2. Age Factors:
Older adults, regardless of gender, are at increased risk for severe influenza and related complications. However, when comparing men and women in older age groups, men often show higher mortality rates from influenza.

3. Comorbidities:
Men are more likely to have certain comorbid conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues) that can exacerbate the effects of the flu, contributing to higher mortality rates.

4. Behavioural Factors:
Men may also be less likely to seek medical care early or get vaccinated, which can impact outcomes when they do contract the virus.

Conclusion:

While both men and women can suffer serious consequences from influenza, statistical evidence suggests that men are generally at a higher risk of severe illness and death from the virus, particularly among older populations and those with other health issues. However, individual outcomes can vary widely based on a range of factors, including overall health, access to healthcare, and vaccination status.

The point is that in general when men do get ill they are more ill than women..
That’s my POV and I’m sticking with it🤣

Address

Suite 4 Sadre Park, 1 C Hibiscus Street
Durbanville
7550

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

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