Department

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in treating infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatric care can begin before conception and continue through pregnancy.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, setting an upper age limit for pediatric care is not straightforward. The Academy discourage people from setting age limits on pediatric care, as this will depend on an individual’s physical and mental needs.

Children undergo rapid physical and mental changes as they grow. Pediatricians understand this fact and assess a child’s health status based on the normal ranges for their age.

Pediatricians can help diagnose medical conditions in children. Depending on the condition, parents or caregivers may take their children to a primary care pediatrician or a pediatric specialist.

Types

Many pediatricians work as primary care physicians. This type of pediatrician performs regular health and wellness checkups. They also diagnose and treat a wide range of general health conditions, give vaccinations, and offer appropriate health advice to young people and their parents or caregivers.

Other pediatricians specialize in treating specific medical conditions or age ranges. Examples of pediatric subspecialties include the following:

Adolescent medicine specialists focus on care during adolescence, around 11 to 21 years old.

Critical care pediatricians facilitate teams of healthcare professionals who treat children in unstable or critical health situations. These pediatricians usually work in hospital-based intensive care units.

Developmental behavioral pediatricians evaluate the behavioral development of children and teens. Specialists in this field diagnose and treat developmental, learning, and behavioral problems in young people.

Child abuse pediatricians possess specialized training, experience, and skills necessary for evaluating if a child may have experienced abuse or neglect.

Pediatric oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating different types of cancer in children.

Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat various heart conditions in children. Many pediatric cardiologists work closely with pediatric heart surgeons when deciding the best treatment strategies.

Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose, treat, and manage children who have breathing problems and lung diseases.

Pediatric rheumatologists treat children and adolescents who have musculoskeletal disorders, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain.

Pediatric nephrologists specialize in treating conditions that affect the urinary system, including urinary tract infections and kidney disease.

Pediatric neurologists treat and manage neurological disorders in children. Neurological conditions that present during childhood may persist through adulthood. Pediatric neurologists oversee their patients’ care from diagnosis through adolescence.

Neonatal-perinatal pediatricians provide care to infants before, during, and after birth. They also treat premature and critically ill newborns.

Pediatric gastroenterologists look after the health of a young person’s digestive system.

Pediatric endocrinologists specialize in the endocrine system and the hormones it produces. An endocrinologist may treat a variety of conditions in children, including diabetes.

What do they do?

Pediatricians perform a diverse range of health-related services that range from health and wellness screenings to management of complex medical conditions.

Pediatricians generally perform the following procedures:

physical exams

giving vaccinations

treating injuries, including fractures and dislocations

evaluating a child’s physical, emotional, and social development

prescribing medications, such as pain relievers and antibiotics

providing general health advice

diagnosing and treating various medical conditions

connecting families with other pediatric specialists, if needed

Pediatric specialists obtain additional education and training in specific treatments and diagnostic procedures. For instance, a pediatric heart specialist (cardiologist) has advanced knowledge and experience in treating heart conditions in children. They may also have received training to perform different types of heart tests and procedures.

A primary care pediatrician may lack the qualifications or expertise needed to treat complex medical conditions and may refer a family to the appropriate pediatric specialist for further testing and treatment.