The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
From the Chair
Carla Davis, M.D.
Chair for the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
Howard University College of Medicine
The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health is dedicated to training, research, and service endeavors that promote healthcare to improve the quality of life and optimize the developmental potential of all children with particular attention to the ethnic minorities and the prevention and treatment of diseases prevalent in those populations.
Our service provides general pediatric services including neonatal care, specialty care in hematology/oncology, neonatology, endocrinology, and allergy and immunology. We partner with community organizations to bring health education and services to the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. We are a part of the Women and Infant Service at Howard University.
All of our providers give compassionate, quality care to infants, children and their families. We focus on improving the access to healthcare for all.
Pediatric Medical Services
The department offers a full range of pediatric medical services from newborn care to general pediatrics and emergency care. We have a child-friendly 24 hours Emergency Room with a pediatrician present. We offer same day acute visits every day and after-hours physicians are on-call with phone coverage 7 days a week.
List of Services offered:
- Vaccinations
- Well baby visits
- Well child visits
- Neonatal services
- Newborn baby care
- Sick child visits for our general pediatricians’ continuity clinic patients
- Allergy and Immunology care
- Allergy testing
- Hematology care
- Endocrinology care
- Infectious disease care
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Conditions
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Description – A brief description of the condition and how it is treated at HUH
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Colds
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A contagious viral illness that usually lasts a week or two. Our pediatricians give medications to decrease symptoms and ensure the infection resolves so the child has a normal quality of life.
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Ear infections
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A common illness in children that can be treated with ear drops or oral medications. Our pediatricians give medications to decrease symptoms, treat the infection, and ensure the infection resolves so the child has a normal quality of life.
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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UTIs are bacterial infections that can cause pain or burning when urinating, frequent urination, and abdominal pain. Our pediatricians give medications to decrease symptoms, treat the infection, and ensure the infection resolves so the child has a normal quality of life.
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Colic
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Colic is a common problem in babies that causes excessive crying. Our pediatricians give compassionate, behavioral advice to parents and medications, when necessary, to decrease symptoms, and ensure the family and child obtain relief from these symptoms.
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Constipation
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Constipation is a common bowel problem in children. Our pediatricians give compassionate, behavioral advice to parents and medications, when necessary, to decrease symptoms, and ensure the child obtains relief from these symptoms.
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Dehydration
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Dehydration occurs when a child loses more fluids than they take in. Our pediatricians give advice to increase the child’s intake to parents to improve the child’s hydration, perform appropriate testing when necessary to determine the cause, and ensure the child obtains relief from these symptoms.
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Diarrhea and vomiting
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Diarrhea and vomiting are common problem in children and babies. Our pediatricians give compassionate, behavioral advice to parents and medications, when necessary, to decrease symptoms, and ensure the child obtains relief from these symptoms.
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Asthma
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Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting children and teenagers. It is caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, which makes it harder to breathe. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Our pediatricians specializing in asthma diagnose the condition, provide the most up to date medications and identify factors that may contribute to the disease to optimize the quality of life and eliminate symptoms.
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Eczema
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Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry, itchy skin. Pediatricians specializing in asthma diagnose the condition, provide the most up to date medications and identify factors that may contribute to the disease to optimize the quality of life and eliminate symptoms.
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Developmental Disorders
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Pediatricians in our department follow the normal growth and development of children. When this is abnormal, we determine the cause and collaborate with psychologists and developmental behavioral pediatricians to facilitate the optimal development of the child.
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Diabetes
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Pediatric diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when a child's blood sugar levels are too high. It can be caused by the body not producing enough insulin or not using insulin properly. We have endocrinologists who can treat diabetes.
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Obesity
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Pediatric obesity refers to a condition where a child has an excessive amount of body fat for their age and height, typically diagnosed when their Body Mass Index (BMI) falls above the 95th percentile for their age and sex, indicating a significantly higher weight than considered healthy for their size, potentially putting them at risk for various health complications like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular issues. Our pediatricians treat obesity compassionately with lifestyle modifications including a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, behavior modification strategies, and in some cases, medical interventions. There is a dedicated lifestyle clinic with a certified lifestyle medicine physician to help teenagers.
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