Pediatrics is a branch of medicine which deals with the treatment of infants and children. A Physician who specializes in this branch is known as a pediatrician. A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of children which is concern with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. The Pediatrician is concern with biological, social and environmental impact on the growing child, and the influence of disease and dysfunction on development.
There are several subspecialties of pediatrics namely, pediatric dentistry, pediatric cardiology, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric neurology, pediatric cardiac surgery, pediatric asthma, etc. Each of these subspecialties tackles a specific system and deals with them. Hence a parent must be aware as to which pediatric specialist should they carry their child to when sick with a particular or specific condition.
For example, Pediatric Cardiology is a branch which deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in children. A pediatrician who specializes in this branch is known as a Pediatric cardiologist who evaluates the structural and functional assessment of the heart and blood vessels, and also performs the clinical evaluation of cardiovascular disease. Hence any infant or child with a cardiac complaint should be taken to a pediatric cardiologist as he specializes in pediatric cardiology and he shall be the best person to guide you regarding your child’s complaints.
Similarly few other subspecialties of pediatrics are - Pediatric Emergency Medicine which deals with the management of emergencies related to infants and children. Pediatric Dentistry is a specialty which offers primary and complete, preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence. Pediatric Neurology is another specialty which relates to the study of infant's and children's central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, and the diagnosis and treatment of its disorders.
Hence depending on the complaints of your infant or child you should approach the concern specialist for adequate diagnosis and management.
Richard Hay 2009-01-08 05:32:17