Facts on Pediatricians

A pediatrician is a physician who provides care to newborns, infants, children, adolescents and young adults up to the age of 21. They work to maintain healthy children, provide care to children with serious illnesses and work to control infectious disease. A pediatrician has to communicate with nurses, other health care professionals and parents. They may also need to refer patients to a specialist.

• Pediatricians diagnose and treat children with infections and injuries, diseases and malignancies, and genetic defects. They are also there to counsel families and monitor a child physically, mentally and socially. 


• Pediatricians are involved in early detection and prevention of conditions such as depression, stress, behavioral difficulties and developmental disorders.


• There are many fields in which a pediatrician may choose to specialize. Some of these include pediatric cardiology, adolescent medicine, neonatal-perinatal medicine, child abuse and critical care.


• Pediatricians must graduate from college and then enroll in a medical school. Upon completion of four years of medical school, they will go on to complete three years of an accredited residency program in pediatrics.


• Aside from providing health care, pediatricians may also be involved in research and public education. They may educate on issues such as nutrition, guidelines for safe athletic participation and disease prevention.