Respiratory illnesses are among the most common health problems in childhood, accounting for a significant proportion of outpatient visits, emergency consultations, and hospital admissions. Conditions such as asthma, recurrent wheezing, chronic cough, pneumonia, allergies, and sleep-related breathing disorders can significantly affect a child’s growth, development, sleep, school performance, and overall quality of life. While many children recover with routine treatment, some require specialized evaluation to identify underlying causes and prevent long-term complications.
At Masonic Children’s Hospital, our Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy & Sleep Medicine service provides comprehensive, child-centred care for infants, children, and adolescents with respiratory, allergic, airway, and sleep disorders. Our focus is on accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment, family education, and long-term respiratory health.
Our Specialties
Asthma & Allergy
Comprehensive evaluation and management of childhood asthma, recurrent wheezing, allergic rhinitis, eczema, food allergies, chronic urticaria, and allergic disorders. Services include Skin Prick Testing, allergy counselling, inhaler technique assessment, and Allergen
Chronic Cough & Recurrent Chest Infections
Specialized evaluation of children with persistent cough, recurrent pneumonia, chronic wet cough, and repeated respiratory infections. We assess for underlying causes including asthma, aspiration, immune deficiencies, airway abnormalities, and genetic respiratory disorders.
Bronchiectasis & Chronic Lung Diseases
Expert management of bronchiectasis, chronic suppurative lung disease, and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections with emphasis on preserving long-term lung health.
Paediatric Bronchoscopy & Airway Disorders
Advanced airway evaluation and bronchoscopy for chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, noisy breathing, airway foreign bodies, mucus plugging, persistent lung collapse, and suspected airway abnormalities.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Comprehensive respiratory assessment using Spirometry, Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT), and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) for diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases.
Sleep Medicine
Evaluation and management of snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, sleep-disordered breathing, and other sleep-related respiratory disorders affecting a child’s growth and well-being.
Dr. Thangaraj Chelakkuti is a fellowship-trained Paediatric Pulmonologist with expertise in childhood respiratory diseases, allergy, bronchoscopy, and sleep medicine. He completed his postgraduate training in Paediatrics at Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital, Chennai, followed by advanced fellowship training in Paediatric Pulmonology at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Chennai.
When Should You Consult a Paediatric Pulmonologist?
- Recurrent wheezing or poorly controlled asthma
- Chronic cough lasting more than 4 weeks
- Repeated chest infections or pneumonia
- Persistent noisy breathing or snoring
- Breathlessness during play or exercise
- Bronchiectasis or chronic lung disease
- Suspected foreign body aspiration
- Unexplained respiratory symptoms despite treatment