Paediatrics

Paediatrics (also spelled pediatrics or pædiatrics) is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. A medical doctor who specializes in this area is known as a paediatrician, or pediatrician.

History[edit | edit source]

The word paediatrics and its cognates mean "healer of children"; they derive from two Greek words: παῖς (pais "child") and ἰατρός (iatros "doctor, healer"). Paediatricians work both in hospitals, particularly those working in its specialized subfields such as neonatology, and as primary care physicians.

Differences between adult and pediatric medicine[edit | edit source]

The body size differences are paralleled by maturation changes. The smaller body of an infant or neonate is substantially different physiologically from that of an adult. Congenital defects, genetic variance, and developmental issues are of greater concern to pediatricians than they often are to adult physicians.

Training[edit | edit source]

A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician, or paediatrician. Pediatricians work both in hospitals, particularly those working in its specialized subfields such as neonatology, and as primary care physicians who specialize in children.

Subspecialties[edit | edit source]

In the United States and Canada, pediatricians (or paediatricians) are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who have completed a residency in pediatrics. After completing a three-year pediatric residency, they may undergo further training in pediatric subspecialties.

See also[edit | edit source]

Paediatrics Resources
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