Monday, 23 April 2012

What is a pediatrician?


By AVINASH KAUR, Health Zone Tips

A pediatrician is a child's physician who provides:
  • Preventive health maintenance for healthy children.
  • Medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill.
Pediatricians manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients, in every stage of development - in good health or in illness.
Generally, pediatricians focus on babies, children, adolescents, and young adults from birth to age 21 years to:
  • Reduce infant and child mortality.
  • Control infectious disease.
  • Foster healthy lifestyles.
  • Ease the difficulties of children and adolescents with chronic conditions.
Pediatricians diagnose and treat the following:
  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Genetic defects
  • Malignancies
  • Organic diseases and dysfunctions
However, pediatricians are concerned with more than physical well-being. They also are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of other problems that affect children and adolescents, including the following:
  • Behavioral difficulties
  • Developmental disorders
  • Functional problems
  • Social stresses
  • Depression or anxiety disorders
Pediatrics is a collaborative specialty - pediatricians work with other medical specialists and healthcare professionals to provide for the health and emotional needs of children.

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