What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 12:30 13:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 12:30 13:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 12:30 13:00 - 16:00 Thursday 08:00 - 12:30 13:00 - 16:00 Friday 08:00 - 12:30 13:00 - 16:00 Saturday 08:00 - 12:30

Pendleton Childrens Clinic

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Zambia
Lusaka
Pendleton Childrens Clinic

Pendleton is an out-patient specialist children's clinic providing evidence based medicine by Paediatricians to children from 1 day old to 16 years of age.
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Pendleton Family Practice (Formally Pendleton Health Care Clinic) has been providing quality outpatient medical care in Zambia since 1984. From inception, it has been fully owned and run by Zambian doctors with years of experience in both the public and private health sectors. Over the years, the clinical focus shifted from family medicine to exclusively providing specialist services in Paediatrics and Child Health. This entails providing quality outpatient treatment and care to children 16 years and under. The management team has a deep understanding of its diverse clientele’s health needs and has adapted its service delivery to suit the prevailing health and socio economic environment in Zambia. We pride ourselves in delivering high quality evidence based medical services in a very child friendly environment. Parents and caregivers are given 20-40minute appointments to consult with our doctors and 10minute appointments with our nurses for the UnderFive clinics. In so doing, we give each patient dedicated time to understand their health needs in a non-rushed manner without compromising on the quality of care. Ultimately, this helps to reduce patient waiting times by ensuring children are seen a their appointment times.

06/11/2025

Protect Your Little One: Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhoea and dehydration in under-5s. In Zambia, before the vaccine (ROTARIX) was introduced in 2013, about 40% of under-5 diarrhoea hospitalisations and deaths were due to rotavirus. In 2023, Zambia switched to ROTAVAC—a safe, effective oral vaccine (no injection!).

What does rotavirus cause?
• Severe watery diarrhoea
• Vomiting 🤢
• Fever, tummy cramps
• Aches, tiredness

When is ROTAVAC given?
• 3 oral doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks (4 weeks apart)
• Can be given up to 8 months of age (as catchup) alongside routine vaccines

Why it matters:
• Prevents severe diarrhoeal disease & dangerous dehydration
• Reduces hospital visits and hospital admissions
• Saves lives—keeping little ones healthy, active & smiling 😊

Good to know:
Even vaccinated children can still catch rotavirus, but illness is usually much milder than in unvaccinated children.

Possible (mild, short-lived) side effects:
• Irritability/fussiness
• Mild diarrhoea or vomiting
• Temporary tummy discomfort

➡️ Serious side effects are very rare—the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Parents: Make sure your baby gets ROTAVAC on time. A simple step today means a healthier tomorrow.

03/11/2025

🩺 Vitamin D Deficiency in Children: What Parents Need to Know 🌤️

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone development, muscle function, and a strong immune system in children. Despite its importance, vitamin D deficiency remains common, especially in young children and babies.

🔍 Common symptoms include:
• Soft or bowed leg bones
• Delayed walking or teething
• Irritability or low mood
• Frequent infections
• Poor growth and muscle aches
In more severe cases, deficiency can lead to rickets, low calcium levels, seizures, or breathing difficulties.

👶 At-risk groups:
• Breastfed babies (especially if the mother is deficient)
• Children with darker skin or limited sun exposure
• Those with medical conditions affecting absorption (e.g., coeliac or kidney disease)
• Children on strict vegan or non-fish diets

💊 Primary prevention
• The recommended dose is 400 units of vitamin D daily for all children over 1 year old.
• Breastfed babies under 1 year or formula-fed babies consuming less than 500mls daily should receive 340-400 units daily.

📋 Diagnosis is simple — a quick blood test can confirm deficiency. Treatment usually involves supplements, either daily or in higher doses for faster correction.

👨‍⚕️ As paediatricians, we encourage parents to stay informed and proactive. If you're concerned about your child’s vitamin D levels, please consult your GP or paediatrician.

30/10/2025

Allergy Testing (RAST) — Food & Inhalant Screens 🌾🥛🌿

Is your child often sneezing, sniffling, rubbing itchy eyes/skin or wheezing? 🤧 Does your child develop a rash or swelling when exposed to specific suspected things? It could be allergy-related. A RadioAllergoSorbent Test (RAST) blood test can help pinpoint likely triggers.

What we can screen for:
South African Food Panel: 🍞 Wheat • 🥚 Egg • 🥛 Milk • 🥜 Peanuts • Soy • Seafood mix • Meat mix
Inhalation Panel: 🌾 Grasses & pollens • 🐶🐱 Animal dander • Cockroach 🕸️ Moulds • 🏠 House dust mites

🧪 Why choose RAST?
• Simple blood draw
• Not affected by being on antihistamines
• Safe for children and adults
• Results help guide treatment and lifestyle changes

🚫 Important: No self-requests
Allergy tests should not be ordered “just to check.” Results can be confusing or misleading without context or an understanding of how to interpret them. Always have testing requested by a healthcare provider (HCP) who knows your child and can interpret the results in line with symptoms and history.

📞 What to do next
Speak with your HCP about whether RAST is appropriate for your child. If indicated, they can refer to Pendleton Children’s Clinic for testing. Results go back to your HCP for interpretation and a clear plan.

27/10/2025

Today, Monday 27th October 2025, the Ministry of Health Zambia launched the malaria vaccine for children under five, starting with children aged 6–8 months in selected high-risk districts of the country. The vaccine will then become part of routine immunisations. In Lusaka Province, the vaccines are being rolled out in Rufunsa and Luangwa districts only, while in the Copperbelt Province the selected districts are as follows: Chililabombwe, Chingola, Kalulushi, Luanshya, Lufwanyama, Masaiti, Mpongwe and Mufulira.

This vaccine is safe and effective, recommended by WHO, and proven to reduce malaria illness and severe disease in young children. In large studies, one WHO-recommended vaccine cut clinical malaria by about 30–40% over several years, and another showed around 75% efficacy in certain settings — a powerful extra layer alongside nets and spraying. (World Health Organisation)

Who should get the vaccine and what is the schedule?
Children 6–8 months will received their 1st does, MaV1 under the Multi-Age Cohort (MAC). The 2nd (MaV2) and 3rd (MaV3) doses are then given 1 month (or 4 week) apart and the last dose (MaV4) is given at 18months

Why it matters
Children in high-malaria areas face the highest risk of repeated illness, anaemia, hospitalisation and death. Adding vaccination to treated nets and indoor spraying saves lives.

Take your child’s under-five card to your nearest health facility in the targeted high malaria districts to receive this newly introduced Malaria vaccine. Let’s give our little ones a shot at life—protect them from malaria today. 💉🦟

23/10/2025

🧃❌ Why sweet juices aren’t recommended for children with diarrhoea!

When children have diarrhoea, sweet fruit juices (like apple, pear or grape) can make things worse. Many are high in fructose and sorbitol—sugars young children don’t absorb well. That pulls water into the gut, causing osmotic diarrhoea, more frequent stools, and higher risk of dehydration.

During diarrhoea, kids loose electrolytes (especially sodium) through stool. Most juices are low in sodium and high in sugar, so they don’t replace what is lost—and this can actually worsen dehydration. 🚫

✅ What to give instead
• Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS): The gold standard for treating dehydration. It has the right balance of glucose and electrolytes for optimal absorption.
• Water: Helpful as a supplement to ORS, but not a substitute (it has no electrolytes).
• Food: Reintroduce a normal, age-appropriate diet early—think rice, potatoes, bread, nshima, yoghurt, lean proteins, and veggies. Early feeding supports recovery and does not prolong diarrhoea. 🍚🍗🥔

💡 Practical tips
• Offer small, frequent sips of ORS. ⏱️
• Keep meals simple and familiar; avoid very sugary foods/drinks. 🍽️
• Watch for warning signs: Persistent vomiting, blood in stool, very sleepy, drinking poorly, or signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, fewer wet nappies). Seek medical care if concerned. 🏥

Bottom line: Skip the sweet juices. Focus on ORS + fluids + early feeding to keep your child hydrated and on the mend.

17/10/2025

FIRST BITES: Your Baby’s Solids Starter Guide 🥄🍌

Starting solids is a big, messy, magical milestone—aka baby’s first feeds! Here’s how to keep it simple and happy:

When to start (around 6 months): Wait for signs—can sit with support, good head control, and shows interest in your food.

Go slow & solo: Offer one new food at a time, then wait 2–3 days to watch for reactions.
Texture journey: Smooth purees ➝ thicker blends ➝ soft mashed/finger foods.
Perfect timing: Try after a breast or bottle feed so baby isn’t 'hangry'.
Set the vibe: Sit together, smile, let baby explore. Think play, not pressure.

Safety first
• Introduce allergens early (and tiny amounts): peanut butter, egg, dairy, soy, fish —introduce one at a time in small amounts.
• No honey before 12 months (botulism risk).
• Keep pieces soft and pea-sized to reduce choking risk.

Watch for reactions (after a new food): rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling or breathing changes—seek medical advice if you’re concerned.

How to feed the very first time
Start with half a spoonful or less and chat your baby through it (“Mmm, yummy!”). It’s normal to see funny faces or a spit-out—learning takes practice. Try: a little milk ➝ tiny tastes ➝ finish with milk. If baby turns away or cries, pause and try another day.

🔁 Remember: Gagging is quite normal and important part of a baby's learning process when starting solids. And, sometimes babies need to try a food 15-20 times before they decided they like it – so be patient!

15/10/2025

After three years away, we were delighted to welcome back our former paediatric nurse, Scolastica, who stopped by to say hello while visiting Zambia. Known for her dedication and warmth, Scholarsticah Chitalu Mushili was an integral part of our team before moving to the UK to advance her nursing career. She is now serving families at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Thank you, Scolastica, for the care you gave our patients and the inspiration you continue to offer. Our doors—and hearts—are always open to you. Wishing you continued success on your remarkable journey.

13/10/2025

What’s a “stork bite”?

A stork bite—medical name naevus simplex (also called a salmon patch or angel’s kiss)—is a super-common newborn birthmark caused by tiny blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. It looks like a flat pink-red patch with soft, fuzzy edges. You’ll often see it on the eyelids, forehead or back of the neck. It can look brighter when baby cries or gets warm—but it’s harmless and painless.

🕊️ Why is it called a stork bite?
In old folklore, babies were delivered by storks. Marks on the back of the neck were said to be where the stork “held” the baby—hence the nickname! Patches on the forehead/eyelids are sometimes called “angel’s kisses.” ✨

⏳ Will it go away?
Most fade on their own—forehead/eyelid patches usually lighten by 1–2 years. Neck patches may linger longer (often hidden by hair) and still don’t cause problems.

👀 When to check in
If a mark is unusually dark, raised, growing or doesn’t look like a typical flat salmon patch, your paediatrician can make sure it isn’t something less common (like a port-wine stain). 🩺

If you’re unsure about your baby’s birthmark, come and chat with us —peace of mind matters.

10/10/2025

Vaccination is one of the simplest, safest ways to protect children, families and communities. Childhood vaccination has been one of modern medicine’s biggest success stories. In fact, vaccines for children have been so successful that we no longer see many of the diseases that once caused severe illness, disability and death.

Thanks to vaccines, most children will never get whooping cough, tetanus, polio or meningitis—so we rarely witness how serious these infections can be. Because these threats feel distant, parents may wonder if their child needs all the recommended vaccines. The answer is yes: following the schedule protects your child before exposure, helps stop outbreaks at school and church, and shields newborns, elders, and friends with weak immune systems.

Vaccines are thoroughly tested, carefully monitored and given at the safest ages for the best protection. Immunise on time—so your child grows, learns and plays with the strongest defence possible today.

08/10/2025

Continuing Medical Education (CME) is part of the Pendleton ethos—it keeps our clinical team sharp, evidence-based and aligned on best practice for your child’s care. This week, Martin (our Laboratory Technologist) led a focused session on Vitamin D in children and how to spot and manage deficiency. Thanks to our in-clinic testing, we can check Vitamin D levels with a 20-minute turnaround, so families get answers and a plan the same day.

From our practice data, the largest share of Vitamin D–deficient children were those living with sickle cell disease (SCD). Why? Children with SCD often have:

* Higher nutritional needs and chronic inflammation, increasing Vitamin D requirements.
* Less sun exposure during illness or pain crises, reducing natural Vitamin D synthesis.
* Possible kidney and gut effects from SCD that impair Vitamin D activation or absorption.
* Darker skin pigmentation (common in SCD populations), which naturally lowers Vitamin D production from sunlight.

CME turns insights like these into action—updating our screening thresholds, refining supplementation advice, and tailoring follow-up for higher-risk groups. If your child has SCD (or other risk factors), speak to us about a quick Vitamin D check at your next visit.

06/10/2025

Roseola is a common (usually mild) viral illness in little ones. High fever first, then a pink rash as the fever settles. Care is supportive—correct fever meds, fluids, and rest. See our paediatricians if you’re unsure.

02/10/2025

Bye-Bye, Baby Flakes! ✨

Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis) may look alarming, but it’s common, harmless and not itchy. You might see yellow-white, greasy flakes or thicker crusts on baby’s scalp .

Gentle care helps: wash with baby shampoo, loosen with a soft brush and massage a tiny bit of coconut or mineral oil—then rinse 🛁🫧. Please don’t pick the scales. Most cases clear on their own.

📅 Book an appointment with our paediatricians if it spreads widely or the skin becomes very red, swollen or you notice oozing ⚠️. Cradle cap is not due to poor hygiene, is not contagious and is not an allergy.

Address

7 Chituli Road, Off Sibweni Road, Northmead
Lusaka
10101

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 12:30
	13:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 12:30
	13:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 12:30
	13:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 12:30
	13:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 12:30
	13:00 - 16:00
Saturday	08:00 - 12:30

Telephone

+260979390003

Website

http://www.pendleton.clinic/

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Our Story

Pendleton Family Practice is one of the first private clinics to be established in Zambia. Formally called Pendleton Health Care Clinic, it has been providing quality medical outpatient treatment and care for over 35 years. From inception, it has been fully owned and run by Zambian doctors with years of experience in both the public and private health sectors.

Over the years, the focus of the clinic has shifted from General Medicine to specialist primary health care services in Paediatrics and Child Health. This entails the provision of quality outpatient treatment and care for children under the age of 16 years. The management team has a deep understanding of its clientele’s health needs and has adapted its service delivery to suit the prevailing health and socio economic environment in Zambia.

The clinic strives to provide the best evidence based primary health care services for children. Our staff are ensure that patients and their caregivers are cared for in a happy and child friendly environment. Parents are given enough time to consult and discuss with our doctors and nurses so that they fully understand their child's ailments or health issues. Patients are seen by appointment for all services provided within the clinic. In so doing, we give each patient individualised and dedicated care in a timely and efficient manner without compromising on the quality of care and ultimately reducing patient waiting times.