Dr Cleo Mshumpela

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Dr Cleo Mshumpela

Dr Cleo Mshumpela is a paediatric surgeon whose other core competencies include neonatal surgery and trauma.

She is passionate about putting South Africa on the map in this field through advances in surgical techniques and research.

28/02/2026

Paediatric surgery is not always about surgery.

Some days, it's about fixing problems. Other days, it's about watching, waiting and reassuring families that things are okay. Most days, it's about listening and making careful decisions with a child’s future in mind.

I work with babies and children, and believe that calm explanations, thoughtful care and teamwork matter just as much as technical skill.

As February wraps up, here’s a small reminder that paediatric care is personal, not just clinical.

20/02/2026

Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day

There is no one ‘right’ way to raise healthy children.

Which of these does your child enjoy most:

A : Running, climbing or riding a bike?

B : Playing outside with friends?

C : Dancing around the house?

D : Helping choose or prepare meals?

E : A good early bedtime and story time?

Healthy living isn't about ticking every box every day. It's about finding what works for your child and doing it often enough to support growing bodies.

Movement, food, sleep and play all matter, but joy matters too.

Tell us in the comments: what is one healthy habit your child actually enjoys?

15/02/2026

Why a Child Who Suddenly Stops Using a Limb Needs Urgent Attention

Children fall and bump themselves often, and most recover quickly; but when a child suddenly refuses to use an arm or leg, it should never be ignored.

This can signal:

• A fracture which isn’t obvious on the outside
• Joint infection
• Bone infection
• Internal bleeding or severe soft-tissue injury

Why This is Concerning

Children don’t usually stop using a limb unless something is wrong. Pain, infection or injury may not always come with obvious swelling or bruising.

Warning signs which need urgent assessment:

• Refusing to walk, crawl or use an arm
• Crying with movement
• Swelling, redness or warmth around a joint
• Accompanying fever or irritability
• Limping that worsens or doesn’t improve

A Message to Parents

If your child suddenly stops using a limb, especially with pain or fever, he or she should be assessed urgently.

Early diagnosis makes treatment simpler and protects long-term function.

12/02/2026

Healthy living for children is not about doing everything perfectly. It's about the small, everyday choices which quietly support their growth and well-being over time.

As a gentle reminder, consistency matters more than perfection.

What children eat most days, how often they move their bodies, how well they sleep and whether they have time to rest all play an important role in how they grow, cope with illness and recover when medical care is needed.

From my experience, children who are well nourished and well rested often manage treatment better and heal more comfortably. These habits may seem simple, but they make a real difference, especially when a child is unwell or facing surgery.

Healthy routines don't need to be complicated or overwhelming. Small, steady choices, repeated day after day, help build strong, resilient bodies and support long-term health.

10/02/2026

When a wound goes deeper than it looks

Not all injuries are obvious.

Some wounds may look small on the surface, but extend much deeper underneath. These are known as penetrating injuries.

They can occur with:

Glass or sharp metal

Knives or scissors

Sticks or pencils

Animal bites

Sharp toys or tools

Why these injuries matter

Penetrating wounds can damage internal organs, blood vessels or nerves, even when there is little bleeding on the outside. Infection is also a significant risk, particularly when bacteria are introduced deep into tissue.

Red flags that need urgent medical care

A deep or gaping wound

Bleeding that does not stop

Increasing pain or swelling

An object lodged in the body

Wounds involving the chest, abdomen or neck

A child who becomes pale, weak or unusually quiet

A reminder for parents

If something has gone into the body, do not wait and do not remove it yourself.

Seek medical care immediately.

When it comes to penetrating injuries, early assessment can prevent serious complications.

📌 Image reference:
Orthobullets – Foot puncture wounds
https://www.facebook.com/orthobullets/posts/foot-puncture-wounds-are-common-work-place-injuries-which-are-at-high-risk-for-s/844691897308052/

06/02/2026

The Difference Between 'Urgent' and 'Emergency' 💛

Parents often ask whether something is urgent or an emergency; knowing the difference can help you act with confidence instead of panic.

An Emergency means:

• Action is needed immediately.
• Delaying care could be dangerous.

Examples include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden severe pain
• A child who is drowsy, unresponsive or very confused
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• A painful, swollen testicle
• A hernia which becomes painful
• A serious burn or major injury

In these situations, go straight to an emergency unit.

Urgent means:

• Your child needs prompt medical review.
• It isn’t immediately life-threatening.

Examples include:

• Persistent tummy pain
• Repeated vomiting
• A wound that looks infected
• A child who is unwell but still responsive.

These situations shouldn’t be delayed, but they don’t always require an ambulance.

A Helpful Rule of Thumb

If your child is:

• getting worse quickly
• experiencing severe pain
• acting unlike themselves

…treat it as an emergency!

If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to err on the side of caution and seek care.

Knowing when to act and how quickly helps protect your child and brings peace of mind.

04/02/2026

World Cancer Day is a reminder that childhood cancer affects far more than a diagnosis. It touches every part of a child’s life and reshapes daily routines for entire families.

For parents, it means learning to live between appointments, scans and treatments. For children, it means navigating illness while still wanting to play, learn and simply be children. For healthcare teams, it means providing care that is precise, thoughtful and compassionate, while supporting families through uncertainty.

Progress in childhood cancer care has improved outcomes significantly, but the journey remains demanding. Early diagnosis, access to specialist care and ongoing research continue to make a meaningful difference.

Today is about awareness, but also about acknowledging the resilience of children and the strength of the families who support them every day. It is a moment to recognise the importance of teamwork, continuity of care and compassion alongside treatment.

On World Cancer Day, we stand with children and families facing cancer, and we remain committed to care that supports both survival and quality of life.

03/02/2026

Grateful moments like these

Last week, Dr Cleo was surprised with a truly special gift.

The parents of one of our patients, Mr and Mrs Tlhapi, presented Dr Cleo with this beautiful painting as a thank you for the care she provided to their child. It was an unexpected and deeply meaningful gesture.

Paediatric surgery is built on trust, partnership and shared hope during difficult moments. Gestures like this remind us why the work matters, not just clinically, but humanly.

Thank you, Mr and Mrs Tlhapi, for your kindness and thoughtfulness. It is sincerely appreciated.

02/02/2026

During a consultation, one of my patients quietly handed me this drawing.

In their eyes, I was not just a doctor in scrubs. I was also a princess.

Paediatric care often happens in small moments like this. A conversation, a smile, a drawing slipped across a desk. These moments remind us that children see the world differently, and that trust is built in gentle, unexpected ways.

Medicine is serious work, but caring for children also leaves space for imagination, kindness and a bit of magic.

Thank you to my young artist for the reminder.

30/01/2026

Supporting young lives beyond the operating theatre

Paediatric care does not end in hospital. It extends into communities, education and opportunities that help children and young people build safer, healthier futures.

Through the work of Sister Basha Practice CSI, meaningful impact is being made by supporting medical care, social welfare cases, youth mentorship and education initiatives across the country.

The numbers shared reflect real lives supported, real surgeries performed and real futures shaped through collaboration, commitment and compassion.

Dr Cleo is proud to be part of an initiative that recognises that healing is not only clinical. It is also about access, guidance and sustained support.

If you would like to partner, contribute or learn more about the work being done, please reach out using the details provided.

Together, we can continue to support children, families and young people where it matters most.

29/01/2026

The Meanings of Stable

When parents hear the word 'stable', it can sometimes feel confusing or even worrying. It can sound like something is still wrong or that things are uncertain.

In paediatric care, 'stable' is actually a positive term.

It means that:

• Your child’s vital signs are steady.
• He or she is not getting worse.
• There is no immediate danger.
• We have time to observe, assess and plan carefully

Children often compensate incredibly well. They can look okay on the outside while their bodies are working hard inside, which is why we watch them closely and don’t rush decisions unnecessarily.

Being stable allows us to:

• Monitor symptoms safely
• Decide whether treatment or surgery is needed
• Avoid unnecessary interventions
• Choose the right timing, not just the fastest option.

For parents, it’s important to know that 'stable' doesn’t mean we’ve stopped caring or watching. It means your child is safe enough for thoughtful, careful decision-making, which is often exactly what leads to the best outcomes.

If you’re ever unsure what 'stable' means in your child’s situation, it’s okay to ask. Understanding brings reassurance, and reassurance is part of good care.

27/01/2026

Sudden Abdominal Swelling Should Never Be Ignored

A child’s tummy can sometimes look bloated after meals or because of constipation, but sudden or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling is different.

This can be a sign of bowel obstruction, internal bleeding or severe infection. In children, these conditions can worsen quickly.

Why this is serious:

• The bowel may be blocked or twisted.
• Blood supply to organs can be affected.
• Pressure inside the abdomen can increase rapidly.

Warning signs that need urgent assessment:

• A tummy which becomes hard or noticeably swollen
• Ongoing or worsening abdominal pain
• Vomiting (especially green or persistent)
• A child who stops eating
• Increasing lethargy or distress.

A Message to Parents

If your child’s abdomen becomes suddenly swollen or painful, especially with vomiting or behaviour changes, don’t wait.

Early assessment allows serious causes to be identified and treated before complications develop.

When it comes to abdominal swelling, it’s always safer to check.

Address

Suite 26B, 2nd Fl. Main Building Cnr Peter Place & Main Rd, Bryanston, Sandton
Johannesburg
2021

Telephone

+27114630443

Website

https://drcleom.co.za/

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