Pediatrics: Some Things You May Not Know

Dec 28
08:35

2010

Abraham Avotina

Abraham Avotina

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Pediatrics is the healthcare field concerned with treating children under the age of 18. More often than not, children will see a pediatrician rather than a regular doctor, simply because there are so many health factors unique to a boy or girl who is still growing.

mediaimage
Pediatrics is the healthcare field concerned with treating children under the age of 18. More often than not,Pediatrics: Some Things You May Not Know Articles children will see a pediatrician rather than an all-purpose doctor, simply because there are so many health factors unique to a boy or girl who is still growing. A pediatrician will be well versed in these factors, knowing what warning signs to look out for and what tips to give young children as they grow into adolescence and beyond. Here are some interesting facts about the field you may not know.

It is difficult to put a date on the founding of pediatrics. Obviously, health professionals and caregivers were treating children from the beginning of time. A step forward into the modern field, however, took place in 1745 with the creation of the London Foundling Hospital, which was designed to specialize in the caring of children. As the health field moved into the 1800s, the specialized study of child medicine began to be taught in medical schools around the world. Much of that early focus was on the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

Most pediatricians find themselves intensely focused on preventative medicine, much more so than doctors of nearly any other specialty. The reasons are simple, of course. Adults rarely tend to go to the doctor unless they are already sick. Children, however, are shuttled to the doctor on a regular basis for routine checkups. Many pediatricians will make it their business to look after not only the physical health of a child, but also their mental and behavioral growth.

As with any medical doctor, a doctor specializing in pediatrics must attend and complete medical school. They will usually then follow this up with a three year residency in their chosen specialty. While not necessary to practice, many doctors choose to become certified in their specialty, which requires further examinations.

Most experts in the field of pediatrics agree that there are certain warning signs that should always be immediately followed by a call to the doctor. In children, these warning signs include a high fever, excessive vomiting, and difficulty breathing. The extent of any of these symptoms may determine whether the call should be to your regular pediatrician or to the emergency room. In the first case, your doctor should be able to recommend a further course of action. If you don’t currently have a regular pediatrician, you should make that an immediate priority. Look online for reviews of doctors in your area.