Pediatrics
What is pediatrics?
Pediatrics refers to the branch of medicine specializing in care for children and their diseases. The age groups included in pediatric care comprise infants, children, and adolescents, or all ages from birth to the age of 18.
A pediatrician, or a doctor specializing in pediatrics, provides preventive health services for healthy children in addition to medical care for children with acute or chronic illnesses. They care for the child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being at every stage of their development.
Pediatricians can diagnose and treat several conditions affecting children, such as:
- Infections
- Injuries
- Cancers
- Genetic and congenital conditions
- Organ dysfunctions and disease
In addition to treating specific health conditions, pediatrics can involve the prevention, early detection, and management of issues like:
- Behavioral problems
- Developmental delays and disorders
- Social stresses
- Functional disabilities
Why is pediatrics important in healthcare?
The field of pediatrics is essential to healthcare because it is a medical field dedicated to children and the health conditions that affect them. There are also many specialties in pediatrics that provide specialized care to children, including:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric cardiology
- Hematology
- Critical care medicine
- Nephrology
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatal medicine