Dr Trudie Kritzinger
Dr Trudie Kritzinger is a specialist paediatrician whose passion for medicine began at a young age. She completed the Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa (FCPaed) and a Master of Medicine (MMed) in Paediatrics at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2025. During this time, she worked at several major academic teaching hospitals in Johannesburg, where she gained extensive experience in newborn care, childhood illnesses, growth and development, and the management of both acute and chronic paediatric conditions.
She obtained her undergraduate medical degree from the University of Pretoria in 2016, followed by internship training at New Somerset Hospital in the Western Cape (2017–2018) and community service at Klerksdorp Hospital in the North West Province (2019).
Dr Kritzinger is fluent in Afrikaans and English and strives to maintain clear, compassionate communication with both patients and their caregivers. She is continually inspired by the resilience and joy that children bring into the world and believes that children and families thrive in environments of care, connection, and support.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys staying active, making music, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Services We Offer
The goal of these visits is to support healthy development, prevent illness where possible, and give parents confidence and guidance as their child grows.
Acute and Chronic Illness
Children frequently experience illnesses as their immune systems develop. I provide care for both sudden short-term conditions and longer-term medical problems, with the aim of treating the child while also supporting the family.
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Acute Illness
Acute illnesses have a sudden onset and are common in childhood, particularly in the preschool and early school years. Many are caused by viral infections and improve with time and supportive care, while others may require specific treatment.
Common acute conditions I manage include:
- Ear infections
- Tonsillitis and throat infections
- Cough, bronchiolitis and pneumonia
- Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea)
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin infections and rashes
- Allergic reactions and flares
- Febrile seizures
During the consultation, I perform a thorough clinical assessment to determine the cause of the illness, whether medication is required, and which warning signs parents should monitor at home. Clear guidance is provided on symptom relief, hydration, fever management and when to return for review.
Chronic Illness
Some children live with longer-term medical conditions that require regular follow-up and ongoing management. These conditions can affect daily activities, school attendance and sleep, and may also impact emotional wellbeing.
Examples include:
- Asthma and recurrent wheezing
- Allergic rhinitis, allergies and eczema
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Epilepsy
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Genetic conditions (such as Down syndrome)
Management focuses on creating a practical, sustainable plan for both the child and family. This includes education about the condition, preventative treatment where needed, monitoring growth and development, and adjusting therapy as your child grows.
Where necessary, I work closely with paediatric subspecialists such as paediatric cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists and other specialists to ensure coordinated care and continuity of treatment.
Growth and Development
Monitoring your child’s growth and development is an important part of paediatric care. At each visit, I review your child’s Road-to-Health Booklet (RTHB) - a valuable record every child in South Africa receives at birth.
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The growth chart helps us track how your child grows over time. I assess whether your child is following their expected growth pattern and whether their weight, height and head circumference are appropriate for their age.
During the visit I review:
- Growth and weight gain
- Height progression
- Head circumference in infants
- Feeding and nutrition
- Developmental milestones
I also screen for developmental progress, including movement, speech, learning and social interaction.
Small variations in growth are often normal, but certain patterns – such as slow growth, excessive weight gain or delayed milestones – may need further assessment. Early identification allows for early support when needed.
I will explain your child’s growth charts in simple terms and guide you on what to expect at each stage of development.
ADHD Assessment
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can affect a child’s attention, behaviour, organisation, learning and emotional regulation.
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Children with ADHD may struggle to focus, sit still, follow instructions or complete tasks, and these challenges often become more noticeable as school demands increase.
An ADHD diagnosis cannot be made in a single brief visit. A careful, structured assessment is needed to understand your child’s symptoms at both home and school.
If you would like an ADHD assessment, please mention this when booking. I will provide questionnaires for parents and teachers to complete before the appointment, as this information is essential for an accurate evaluation.
Because other medical conditions can sometimes mimic or worsen attention difficulties, baseline blood tests may also be recommended.
After the assessment, we will discuss whether your child meets criteria for ADHD and create an individualised management plan, which may include behavioural strategies, school support and, where appropriate, medication.
My aim is to provide a thoughtful and balanced evaluation, helping your child function confidently at school, at home and socially.
Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood. Children with asthma may experience recurrent cough (often worse at night), wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness.
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Symptoms are commonly triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air, allergens or seasonal changes. In some children, a persistent cough may be the main sign of asthma.
An important part of asthma care is ensuring correct inhaler and spacer technique, as incorrect use is a common reason for poor symptom control. During consultations, I take time to demonstrate and review how medication devices are used so that both parents and children feel confident.
I also assess for conditions that can occur alongside asthma and worsen symptoms, such as:
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Eczema
Sinus problems
Reflux symptoms
Sleep disturbance
Management includes education, trigger identification and an individualised treatment plan. Families are guided on when to use reliever medication, when preventer treatment is needed, and how to recognise early warning signs. An asthma action plan can also be provided for home and school.
The goal is good day-to-day symptom control, uninterrupted sleep, full participation in sport and play, and prevention of emergency visits or hospital admissions.
Adolescent Care
Adolescence is an important stage of development as young people experience puberty, growing independence, changing friendships and the development of their identity. While this can be an exciting time, it can also bring questions, worries and uncertainty.
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I aim to provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment where teenagers feel comfortable discussing their health and wellbeing. Consultations are age-appropriate and designed to help adolescents understand the physical and emotional changes they are experiencing, while also guiding parents on how best to support them. Common concerns we may address include:
- Puberty and normal development
- Acne and skin concerns
- Menstrual health
- Growth and nutrition
- Mood, anxiety and emotional wellbeing
- Sleep difficulties
- School or social challenges
The goal is to support healthy development, confidence and wellbeing during these important years, while working in partnership with both adolescents and their families.
Allergies
Allergic conditions are common in childhood and can affect the skin, nose, lungs or digestive system. Children may present with symptoms such as recurrent rashes, persistent nasal congestion, chronic cough, wheezing or reactions to certain foods.
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During the consultation, I take a careful history and perform a thorough examination to determine whether your child’s symptoms are due to allergy or another condition. Not every rash, cough or tummy pain is caused by an allergy, and unnecessary food exclusions can sometimes do more harm than good. My approach is to investigate thoughtfully and avoid over-diagnosis.
Where appropriate, further testing may be arranged and a clear management plan provided. Treatment focuses on symptom control, trigger identification and preventing flare-ups, while helping families understand safe avoidance strategies.
I also guide families in recognising and managing more serious allergic reactions, including education on emergency action plans and the correct use of adrenaline auto-injectors when needed.
Common concerns I assess include:
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Asthma and recurrent wheeze
- Food allergies or suspected reactions
- Chronic cough
- Recurrent hives (urticaria)
The aim is to improve your child’s comfort, sleep and daily wellbeing, while allowing them to live as normally and confidently as possible.
Anxiety and Sleep Difficulties
Worries and sleep difficulties are common during childhood. Changes at school, friendships, family stress or developmental stages can sometimes make children feel anxious.
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Children do not always have the words to explain their worries, and anxiety may instead appear as tummy aches, headaches, irritability, clinginess, school refusal or difficulty settling at night. Modern family life is often very busy, with school, homework and multiple activities filling the day. When children have little time to rest and unwind, they may become overtired and overwhelmed, which can affect both mood and sleep.
Sleep is essential for growth, learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Difficulties such as trouble falling asleep, frequent night waking, bedtime resistance, nightmares or early waking are concerns I regularly help families manage.
My approach is gentle, practical and supportive. I take time to understand your child’s routine, temperament and daily environment to identify possible triggers and patterns. Often, simple changes to routines and sleep habits can make a significant difference.
When needed, I guide families on healthy sleep routines and strategies to help children manage worries and big emotions. If additional support is helpful, I may recommend working with educational psychologists or therapists.
The goal is to help your child feel secure, confident and well rested, and to restore calmer nights for the whole family.
Malnutrition: Under- and Overweight
Good nutrition is essential for a child’s growth, development, learning and immune health. Malnutrition does not only refer to underweight children — it also includes children who are gaining too much weight for their age and height.
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Both under- and over-nutrition can affect a child’s health and wellbeing. Some children struggle to eat enough due to picky eating, feeding difficulties, medical conditions or poor appetite, which may lead to faltering growth and low energy levels. Others may gain weight too quickly due to dietary patterns, limited physical activity or lifestyle factors.
During the consultation, I assess your child’s growth using standard growth charts, together with a detailed dietary and medical history, to understand the underlying reasons for the growth pattern.
Management focuses on practical, achievable changes for the whole family, including balanced meals, healthy snack choices, feeding strategies for picky eaters and sustainable daily routines. The emphasis is on healthy habits and a positive relationship with food.
Where needed, I may also evaluate for underlying medical causes and work together with dietitians or other healthcare professionals.
The goal is to support steady growth, good energy levels and long-term health, while helping families feel confident about everyday nutrition.
Enuresis (Bedwetting)
Bedwetting is common in childhood and is rarely a child’s fault. Enuresis refers to the involuntary passing of urine during sleep in children older than five years. Many children are deep sleepers and do not wake when their bladder is full.
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Others may produce more urine at night or have a smaller bladder capacity for their age. These are common developmental patterns and are not caused by laziness or poor discipline. In most cases there is no serious underlying medical problem, but an assessment can help identify contributing factors such as constipation, urinary infections, sleep disturbances or emotional stress.
Management is tailored to the child and family and may include:
Reassurance and education
Healthy bladder and bowel habits
Daytime toileting routines
Guidance on fluid intake
Bedwetting alarm therapy
Medication when appropriate
Many children improve naturally with time, but treatment can help reduce wet nights and improve a child’s confidence.
My goal is to support both the child and parents with a practical and encouraging plan, helping your child achieve dry nights without shame or blame.
Picky Eating and Feeding Difficulties
Many children go through phases of selective eating. For some families, however, mealtimes can become stressful when a child eats very little or refuses many foods.
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Parents often worry whether their child is getting enough nutrition.
When assessing picky eating, I first consider whether there may be an underlying medical reason contributing to the problem. Sometimes poor appetite is a symptom rather than simply behaviour.
During the consultation, I may evaluate:
Growth patterns and weight gain
Iron or other nutritional deficiencies
Constipation
Reflux or abdominal discomfort
Worm infestation
Food allergies or intolerances
Oral-motor or chewing difficulties
Sensory sensitivities to textures or smells
Anxiety or tension around mealtimes
I also review your child’s daily routine, milk intake, snacking habits and mealtime environment, as small patterns — such as frequent grazing or excessive milk intake — can unintentionally reinforce picky eating.
Management focuses on practical, achievable strategies for families. The goal is not to force eating, but to create calm, structured mealtimes and gradually expand a child’s acceptance of different foods while maintaining a healthy relationship with food.
Where needed, I may also work together with dietitians, speech or occupational therapists, or psychologists.
The aim is to improve nutrition, reduce mealtime stress and help children learn to eat confidently and comfortably.
Wellness and Preventative Care
Welcoming a newborn into the family is a special time, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you are a first-time parent or growing your family, I aim to provide reassurance and guidance as we monitor your child’s health and development during the early years.
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Newborn, well-baby and well-child check-ups are routine visits that allow us to assess your child’s growth, development and overall wellbeing. These visits are an opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have while supporting your child through each stage of development.
During these visits we may review:
Growth and developmental milestones
Routine childhood immunisations
Feeding and nutrition
Sleep and daily routines
General health and preventative care
The goal of these visits is to support healthy development, prevent illness where possible, and give parents confidence and guidance as their child grows.
Get In Contact With Us
If you have any questions please complete the contact form below & Dr Trudie Kritzinger will get in touch with you shortly.
WhatsApp:
079 371 9547
Email:
admin@paediatrudie.co.za
Address:
Jan Celliers Laerskool Lower Park Drive Parkview, Gauteng
Consultation Hours:
Tuesday: 08:00–16:00
Thursday: 08:00–16:00
Public Holidays Closed