Pediatrician in Dubai: a GMS guide by Irina Pronkinova

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Contents

Irina Pronkinova
Irina Pronkinova — GP, pediatrician, neurologist

In brief

  • Children overheat faster than adults and ask for water less often: offer drinks on a schedule, and treat hot dry skin, confusion or a seizure as a reason to seek emergency care right away.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is common in UAE children despite the sun: the AAP recommends a supplement for breastfed babies from the first days of life, and the pediatrician chooses the dose.
  • In the 2026–2027 flu season school students joined MOHAP's priority groups for the first time; the AAP recommends a flu vaccine for every child from 6 months, and a doctor can match vaccines given abroad to the UAE schedule.

Children in Dubai catch the same illnesses as children in Moscow or London. What changes is the background: heat for most of the year, strong sun, a pool next to almost every home, air conditioning day and night, school days spent indoors. Here is what we talk about most often with parents during their first year after the move.

Heat and dehydration

Children overheat faster than adults and are less likely to ask for a drink, especially in the middle of a game. So offer water on a schedule rather than waiting for thirst: before going out, during play or practice, and afterwards. A simple check is pale urine throughout the day.

Babies under 6 months get more frequent breast or formula feeds in hot weather. Whether a formula-fed baby needs extra water is something we decide at the visit.

Signs of dehydration, according to the NHS:

  • in babies — fewer wet diapers, crying without tears, a sunken soft spot, drowsiness or irritability;
  • in older children — dark urine, peeing less often, a dry mouth and lips, tiredness, dizziness.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Headache, nausea, intense thirst, weakness and pale, clammy skin point to heat exhaustion. Move the child somewhere cool, take off extra clothing, give water or an oral rehydration solution, and cool the skin with a damp cloth. The NHS gives a 30-minute window: the child should feel better by then.

If they do not, or if the skin is hot and dry, the child is confused, breathing fast, has a seizure or loses consciousness, seek emergency care right away. That is what heatstroke looks like.

Hot cars

Never leave a child alone in a car, not even for a minute and not even with the AC running. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a car can heat up by about 11 °C in 10 minutes, and a child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's. Once a child's body temperature reaches 40 °C, major organs begin to shut down. Simple habits help: put your phone or bag on the back seat, always lock the car when parked, and keep the keys out of children's reach.

Sun and children's skin

The AAP advises keeping babies under 6 months in the shade, under an umbrella or stroller canopy, in light clothing that covers the skin. Sunscreen goes only on small areas such as the face, and only if shade and clothing are not available. Older children need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming. The sun is strongest from 10:00 to 16:00, so limit time outside during those hours. Our dermatologist covers skin protection in the UAE climate in Sun and skin in the UAE.

Pools and the beach

According to the AAP, drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 4 in the US. It is quick and silent: a drowning child does not call for help. Among children 4 and under, 69% of drownings happened when the child was not expected to be in the water at all.

  • Within arm's reach. When a toddler is in the water, an adult stays right next to them, phone away.
  • A water watcher. At a pool party, pick one adult whose only job is to watch the water, and swap every 15–20 minutes.
  • A four-sided fence. If your villa has its own pool, the AAP recommends a fence at least 1.2 meters high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
  • Swimming and CPR. Swim lessons can start after the first birthday, once the child is ready. Floaties and inflatable rings do not prevent drowning. Every adult in the family should learn CPR.

Ear pain is common after the pool. If your child complains of an earache, especially with a fever, bring them in for a check.

Vitamin D: plenty of sun, not enough vitamin

It sounds like a paradox, but vitamin D deficiency is common in children in the UAE. In a study of 315 healthy 15- to 18-year-olds in Al Ain, 65.1% had low or insufficient vitamin D. A 2025 systematic review of UAE data noted severe deficiency in infants and children, though few studies cover these ages. The reasons are easy to see: the heat keeps children indoors most of the day, their skin is covered by clothing and sunscreen, and breastfed babies get little vitamin D from milk without a supplement.

The AAP recommends a vitamin D supplement for breastfed babies starting in the first days of life. The Endocrine Society (2024) suggests preventive vitamin D for children aged 1 to 18 and advises against routinely testing every healthy child.

The pediatrician chooses the dose based on age, diet and how much time the child spends outdoors. A blood test makes sense when there is a reason for it: symptoms, dietary restrictions, a chronic condition. Samples are taken at the clinic, and vitamin D is part of the Ready for School check-up. There is no need to sunbathe for vitamin D; it is not worth the risk of sunburn.

Air conditioning, dry air and a stuffy nose

Air conditioning dries the air and the lining of the nose. That shows up as a blocked nose in the morning, crusts and a dry cough at night. Simple steps help: do not set the nursery too cold, rinse the nose with saline, and clean the AC filters regularly. If you use a humidifier, choose a cool-mist one and clean it every day. Decongestant nose drops are not for young children without a doctor's advice.

A runny nose that lasts for weeks, snoring or constant mouth breathing are reasons to see a pediatrician. Snoring and mouth breathing affect sleep — more on that in Children's sleep.

Nursery and school: the first year

In the first year at nursery or a new school, children get sick often, and that is expected: the immune system is meeting new viruses. Most of these colds clear up on their own. The pediatrician's job is to catch what does need treatment: an ear infection, strep throat, pneumonia, a urinary tract infection. What to do about a fever and when to go to the hospital is covered in Fever in children.

Before school starts, the Children's "Ready for School" checkup is a practical option at AED 1,100: a pediatrician consultation, a complete blood count, ferritin and vitamin D.

Flu: the 2026–2027 season

In September 2026 the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) launched its annual flu campaign. The priority list for vaccination now has seven groups, and for the first time it includes school students. The others are children from 6 months, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic conditions, healthcare workers, and pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah. In Dubai, students are currently vaccinated at healthcare facilities rather than at school.

For 2026–2027 the AAP also recommends a flu vaccine for every child from 6 months of age unless there is a medical reason not to. Children under 9 getting vaccinated for the first time may need two doses; the doctor sets the schedule.

At GMS there are two options: the Influvac Tetra shot at AED 200 and the FluMist nasal vaccine at AED 390. In Dubai the nasal vaccine is given only on a doctor's prescription. It is approved from age 2 but is not for everyone: for example, it is not given to children aged 2 to 4 with asthma or wheezing in the past year, or to children with a weakened immune system. That is why we choose the option at the examination.

Vaccinations after the move

Under the National Immunization Program, vaccination visits fall at 2, 4 and 6 months, at 1 year, at 18 months and at 5 years, with further vaccines during the school years. Schedules differ between countries in both content and timing, so a child vaccinated in Russia or elsewhere is often missing something or had a dose at a different age.

Bring the vaccination certificate or record to the appointment. We will compare it with the UAE schedule and draw up a plan: what is already done, what to catch up on and in what order. Under CDC rules, even if a long time has passed between doses, the series is not restarted; it picks up where it left off.

Schools and nurseries in Dubai ask for vaccination records. Vaccination certificate translation is AED 600. Vaccine prices are on the Vaccination page.

Neurology: headaches, sleep, tics

I see children both as a pediatrician and as a neurologist, so many questions can be handled in one visit. A move, a new school, a new language and early mornings all put strain on the nervous system. It often shows up as headaches, sleep problems or tics. I cover these in detail in Headaches in children, Children's sleep and Tics in children. For babies, see Infant development in the first year.

Pediatric care at GMS

  • Pediatrician consultation — AED 600; pediatrician and neurologist consultation — AED 900. Consultations in English and Russian.
  • Age-based kids check-ups: at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, 2+ years, and Ready for School.
  • Lab samples are taken at the clinic and ultrasound is done on site, often in the same visit.
  • Feeding, colic, allergies and weight gain are handled by Evgeniya Loik, GP, pediatrician, gastroenterologist, nutritionist, in pediatric gastroenterology.
  • When it is easier not to bring a sick child to the clinic, a doctor can visit you at home.
  • Insurance: direct billing through LGA, AP Companies and NOW Health International; for other policies we provide documents for reimbursement.

We are in Souk Al Manzil, Downtown Dubai, open daily from 8:00 to 21:00. More about pediatrics on the department page and on Russian-speaking pediatrician in Dubai.

You can book with Irina Pronkinova, GP, pediatrician, neurologist, through the form on the website or on WhatsApp.

Sources

FAQ

How do I know if my child has heatstroke?

Hot, dry skin, confusion, fast breathing, a seizure or loss of consciousness — these are reasons to seek emergency care right away. Milder signs such as headache, nausea, weakness and pale, clammy skin point to heat exhaustion: cool the child down and give fluids. The NHS says they should feel better within 30 minutes; if not, get urgent help.

Does my child need vitamin D if Dubai is so sunny?

Often, yes: children spend most of the day indoors, and their skin is covered by clothing and sunscreen. The AAP recommends a vitamin D supplement for breastfed babies from the first days of life, and the Endocrine Society (2024) suggests preventive vitamin D for children aged 1 to 18. The pediatrician chooses the dose, and a blood test is done when there is a reason for it.

Flu shot or nasal spray — which is better for my child?

The AAP recommends a flu vaccine for every child from 6 months. The nasal vaccine is approved from age 2 but is not for everyone: for example, it is not given to children aged 2 to 4 with asthma or wheezing in the past year. GMS offers Influvac Tetra at AED 200 and FluMist at AED 390; we choose the option at the examination.

My child was vaccinated in another country. What now?

Bring the vaccination certificate to the appointment. The doctor will compare it with the UAE schedule and make a catch-up plan. If a long time has passed between doses, the series usually does not need to be restarted. Vaccination certificate translation for school or nursery is AED 600.

How much is a pediatrician visit at GMS?

A pediatrician consultation is AED 600, and a combined pediatrician and neurologist consultation is AED 900. Consultations are in English and Russian, daily from 8:00 to 21:00 in Downtown Dubai. We offer direct billing through LGA, AP Companies and NOW Health International.

This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation. If you have symptoms, see a doctor.

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