Pediatria: qué enfermedades puede tratar y cómo prevenirlas

What is pediatria and why is it important?

Pediatria is the branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of children from birth to adolescence. It is a vital specialty that aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders that affect children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this article, you will learn more about what pediatria is, what a pediatrician does, how to find and choose a good pediatrician for your child, and how to support your child's health and development with pediatria.

The definition and scope of pediatria

Pediatria is derived from two Greek words: pais (child) and iatros (doctor or healer). It is a relatively new medical specialty that emerged in the mid-19th century. Abraham Jacobi (1830-1919) is considered the father of pediatria.[^1]

pediatria

Pediatria is different from adult medicine in many ways. Children are not just miniature adults; they have unique physiological, developmental, psychological, and social needs that require specialized attention. Pediatria covers a wide range of topics, such as:

• Injuries

• Infections

• Genetic and congenital conditions

• Cancers

• Organ diseases and dysfunctions

• Developmental delays and disorders

• Behavioral problems

• Functional disabilities

• Social stresses

• Mental disorders

Pediatria is not only concerned with the immediate management of the ill child, but also with the long-term effects on their quality of life, disability, survival, growth, and development.[^2]

The role and responsibilities of a pediatrician

A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in pediatria. They provide medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill, as well as preventive health services for healthy children A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in pediatria. They need to complete at least 11 years of education, including four years of college, four years of medical school, and three years of pediatric residency. Some pediatricians may also pursue additional training in a subspecialty, such as neonatology or adolescent medicine.[^1] [^2] [^3]

Pediatricians can earn a comfortable salary, depending on their location, experience, and specialty. The median annual salary for pediatricians in the United States was $177,130 in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of pediatricians earned more than $208,000 per year.[^4] [^5]

The job outlook for pediatricians is mixed. The BLS projected a 2% decline in employment for all pediatricians from 2020 to 2030, due to factors such as lower birth rates, increased use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and changes in healthcare delivery systems. However, there may still be opportunities for pediatricians who work in rural areas, underserved communities, or high-demand specialties.[^4] [^6]

The benefits and challenges of pediatria

Pediatria is a rewarding and fulfilling career for many doctors who love working with children and their families. Some of the benefits of pediatria include:

• Having a positive impact on children's health and well-being

• Building long-term relationships with patients and their parents

• Witnessing children's growth and development over time

• Keeping up with the latest advances in medical science and technology

• Enjoying a variety of work settings and activities

However, pediatria also comes with some challenges and risks, such as:

• Dealing with complex and sometimes life-threatening conditions

• Managing emotional stress and burnout

• Communicating effectively with children of different ages and developmental stages

• Handling ethical dilemmas and legal issues

• Balancing work and personal life

How to find and choose a good pediatrician

Finding and choosing a good pediatrician for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. A pediatrician will be your partner in ensuring your child's health and well-being, from infancy to adolescence. Here are some tips and criteria to help you find and choose a good pediatrician:

pediatria: o que é, o que faz e quando consultar

what is pediatrics and what does a pediatrician do

pediatria: základné informácie o detskom lekárstve

qué es la pediatría y cómo cuidar la salud de los niños

pediatria: vacinação, crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil

pediatrics: common diseases and conditions in children

pediatria: prevencia a liečba infekčných chorôb u detí

qué es la pediatría social y cómo ayuda a los niños vulnerables

pediatria: alimentação, amamentação e introdução de novos alimentos

pediatrics: developmental milestones and behavioral issues in children

pediatria: diagnóza a liečba alergií, astmy a ekzému u detí

qué es la pediatría neonatal y cómo atiende a los recién nacidos

pediatria: orientação familiar e encaminhamento para outros profissionais

pediatrics: genetic and congenital disorders in children

pediatria: liečba zranení, úrazov a otráv u detí

qué es la pediatría de urgencias y cómo actuar en caso de emergencia

pediatria: cuidados paliativos e apoio à criança com doença crônica

pediatrics: immunization schedule and vaccine-preventable diseases in children

pediatria: poruchy rastu, vývoja a učenia u detí

qué es la pediatría del adolescente y cómo abordar sus problemas específicos

pediatria: saúde mental e emocional da criança e do adolescente

pediatrics: nutrition, obesity and eating disorders in children

pediatria: prevencia a liečba zubných problémov u detí

qué es la pediatría integrativa y cómo combina diferentes terapias

pediatria: saúde ocular e auditiva da criança e do adolescente

pediatrics: sports medicine and physical activity in children

pediatria: diagnóza a liečba rakoviny u detí

qué es la pediatría quirúrgica y qué tipos de cirugías realiza

pediatria: saúde reprodutiva e sexual da criança e do adolescente

pediatrics: sleep problems and disorders in children

pediatria: prevencia a liečba parazitárnych ochorení u detí

qué es la pediatría forense y cómo protege a los niños víctimas de violencia

pediatria: saúde renal e urinária da criança e do adolescente

pediatrics: endocrine and metabolic disorders in children

pediatria: liečba kožných ochorení a infekcií u detí

qué es la pediatría hospitalaria y cómo mejora la calidad de la atención

pediatria: saúde cardiovascular e respiratória da criança e do adolescente

pediatrics: hematologic and immunologic disorders in children

pediatria: liečba gastrointestinálnych ochorení a porúch u detí

qué es la pediatría crítica y cómo maneja a los niños gravemente enfermos

• Ask for recommendations from your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other health care providers. You can also use online directories or websites to search for pediatricians near you.

• Check the credentials and qualifications of the pediatricians you are considering. Make sure they are board-certified in pediatria by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics (AOBP). This means they have completed rigorous training and exams in pediatria and maintain their skills and knowledge through continuing education.

• Consider the location and accessibility of the pediatrician's office. You want to choose a pediatrician who is close to your home, school, or work, and who has convenient office hours and availability. You also want to know how easy it is to make appointments, reach the pediatrician by phone or email, get referrals, obtain prescriptions, access medical records, etc.

• Visit the pediatrician's office and meet with them in person. You want to get a feel for the office environment, staff, policies, and procedures. You also want to assess how comfortable you and your child are with the pediatrician. You can ask questions such as:

• What is your philosophy and approach to pediatria?

• How do you handle routine care, preventive care, sick visits, emergencies, etc.?

• What are your views on topics such as breastfeeding, immunizations, nutrition, discipline, etc.?

• How do you communicate with parents and children?

• How do you coordinate care with other specialists or health care providers?

• What are your fees and payment options?

Compare and evaluate the pediatricians you have visited based on your preferences and needs. You may want to make a list of pros and cons for each pediatrician and rank them accordingly. You can also ask for feedback from other parents who have experience with the pediatricians you are considering.

Choose the pediatrician who best meets your criteria and expectations. You want to choose a pediatrician who is competent, caring, trustworthy, respectful, and compatible with you and your child. Remember that you can always change your pediatrician if you are not satisfied with their service or performance. When to consult a pediatrician

As a parent, you may wonder when you should consult a pediatrician for your child. The answer depends on several factors, such as your child's age, health history, symptoms, and situation. However, here are some general guidelines to help you decide when to consult a pediatrician:

You should consult a pediatrician for your child's regular check-ups and vaccinations. These are important for monitoring your child's growth and development, preventing or detecting diseases and disorders, and provid