PEDIATRICS – ‘HEALER OF CHILDREN’
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and
medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up
to the age of 18. The word “pediatrics” means “healer of
children”; they are derived from two Greek words: (pais = child)
and (iatros = doctor or healer).
A pediatrician is a child's physician who provides not only medical care
for children who are acutely or chronically ill but also preventive health
services for healthy children. A pediatrician manages physical, mental,
and emotional well-being of the children under their care at every stage
of development, in both sickness and health.
The aims of the study of pediatrics is to reduce infant and child rate of
deaths, control the spread of infectious disease, promote healthy
lifestyles for a long disease-free life and help ease the problems of
children and adolescents with chronic conditions.
Pediatricians diagnose and treat several conditions among children
including:* injuries
* infections
* genetic and congenital conditions
* cancers
* organ diseases and dysfunctions
Pediatrics is concerned not only about immediate management of the ill
child but also long term effects on quality of life, disability and survival.
Pediatricians are involved with the prevention, early detection, and
management of problems including:* developmental delays and disorders
* behavioral problems
* functional disabilities
* social stresses * mental disorders including depression and anxiety
disorders.
A paediatrician is a graduate from a medical school first. He or
she being a primary care pediatrician then completes three
years of education in an accredited pediatric residency
program. They learn about caring for infant, child, adolescent,
and young adults during this period