Specialist Pediatric Conditions

We treat a range of specialist pediatric conditions here. Please see the physician responsible for each condition on their own clinic day.

Allergy

Allergic conditions arise from an immune response to an allergen, producing symptoms such as eczema or coughing; where a specific food triggers symptoms, this is called a food allergy.

We offer oral food challenge testing as a day-case admission, to confirm a food allergy diagnosis, check for developing tolerance to a previously avoided food, and establish a safe amount. Whether this test can be carried out depends on prior blood test results.

Physicians: Dr. Kenichiro Takahashi, Dr. Masumi Sahara

Infantile hemangioma (strawberry mark)

We provide oral medication treatment for infantile hemangioma, a vascular growth that typically appears at 2 to 4 weeks of age, grows quickly over the first year, and generally resolves naturally by around age 7.

Watchful waiting, given this natural resolution, is the common approach, though scarring, sagging skin, or bleeding from the surface of the growth can sometimes occur. Laser treatment was previously the main option where treatment was wanted; oral medication has been covered by insurance for several years now, and may be suitable depending on the size and location of the growth. Individual response varies, though oral treatment can help slow growth and lighten colour in some cases.

Urinary abnormalities

We carry out further testing, including urinalysis, blood tests, and imaging, for children found to have blood or protein in their urine. Where a more advanced test such as a kidney biopsy is needed, we refer to a university hospital or similar institution.

Please talk to us if a urinary abnormality was found at your child's age-3 or school urine screening.

Physician: Dr. Shunsuke Sakurai

Bedwetting and daytime incontinence

Bedwetting affects over 10% of children starting elementary school and 1 to 3% of children in junior high school, with roughly 15% of cases resolving naturally each year. That said, guidance and other treatment can meaningfully shorten the time to resolution.

Bedwetting can occasionally be a symptom of an underlying condition, so testing is sometimes appropriate. It is reported to be among the more emotionally difficult experiences for a child and can affect self-esteem, and around a quarter of children with bedwetting also experience daytime urinary symptoms. Where daytime symptoms are present, we generally address those first.

Physician: Dr. Shunsuke Sakurai

Atopic dermatitis

This condition involves a weakened skin barrier, leading to itchy, red eczema that cycles between flare-ups and remission. Scratching an itchy area can worsen symptoms and further weaken the skin barrier, so please come in promptly if eczema is persistent or itching is severe enough to disturb sleep.

Our physician, certified as a specialist by the Japanese Society of Allergology, diagnoses the condition and selects suitable treatment from topical or injectable options.

Physician: Dr. Kenichiro Takahashi

Short stature (endocrine conditions)

We test and treat growth hormone deficiency and small-for-gestational-age short stature. For suspected growth hormone deficiency, a hormone-level assessment can be carried out over a 3-night, 4-day inpatient stay. Development varies between children, but if your child's growth curve falls notably outside the expected range at their age-3 checkup, we recommend testing sooner rather than later. Please bring your child's height and weight records to your visit.

Physician: Dr. Kenichiro Takahashi

Cardiovascular conditions

We diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions, including a heart murmur often noticed at an infant checkup or pre-vaccination examination, and orthostatic dysregulation, where impaired autonomic nervous system function causes dizziness or light-headedness on standing. For Kawasaki disease, where early treatment matters a great deal, we admit patients for inpatient care to help prevent complications such as coronary artery aneurysm.