Children’s healthcare has been getting higher precedence in recent times. This has been brought about by the need to offer proper care for children from birth to their formative years. Thus, the popularization of pediatric care and the development of associated facilities has risen. KIDZCHOICE Pediatrics are thus in high demand for personalized care of children as they grow up. More about what kind of services are delivered is discussed below.
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What is a Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a physician who deals with the healthcare of children, infants, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatric care typically begins at birth and goes on until they reach twenty-one years or older.
Pediatricians are responsible for detecting, preventing, and managing behavioral, physical, and development issues affecting children. Some pediatricians specialize in dealing with specific children’s health conditions, while others work in general practice.
To become a pediatrician, the following requirements need to be met:
- Four years attaining an undergraduate degree with premedical courses like chemistry and biology
- Four years in medical school with coursework like physiology and anatomy and clinical rotations
- Three years in a pediatric residency program
- Optional fellowship programs for additional training in pediatric subspecialties
Some of the most common pediatric specialties include:
General Pediatrician
These specialists are the go-to physicians for annual checkups. This provides a familiarity and a medical history that the doctor confers to during each visit. You can also visit them whenever your child falls ill.
Pediatric Allergist
This physician assists children in dealing with allergies or other immune system disorders like:
- Hives
- Asthma
- Hay fever
- Eczema
- Immune disorders
Pediatric Oncologist
These doctors are trained to comprehend the various cancer types children may develop. They look for particular DNA changes in cancers that may occur during childhood, such as:
- Lymphoma
- Spinal cord and brain tumors
- Leukemia
- Neuroblastoma
- Bone cancer
Pediatric Cardiologist
They treat teenagers or children with congenital heart disease or those who develop heart conditions after birth.
Duties of a Pediatrician
Pediatricians’ roles are wide-ranging, from infant checkups to chronic disease management. They can treat injuries, infections, and diseases while providing preventive care. Pediatricians:
- Conduct physical exams
- Perform regular wellness and health checkups, including for infants
- Diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses, and other health conditions
- Track your child’s emotional, physical, and social development
- Prescribe medications
- Give vaccines
- Offer health advice to parents
- Listen to parent’s concerns and answer their queries
- Refer families to specialists as required
The first pediatrician visit for a new infant should be between two to three days after leaving the hospital. The next visit should be two to four weeks later, with later visits occurring with less frequency for the next twenty-four months. Regular annual checkups will follow this once the child is more than two years old.
Regular child visits are necessary and crucial in identifying underlying conditions early before symptoms worsen and when they are easier to deal with. Pediatric facilities are well equipped and staffed to cater to your child’s needs. Check out our website for any pediatric inquiries, or visit our offices in Miami, FL.
