5 Important Facts About Pediatricians

Pediatrics is a relatively new medical field. Pediatricians are usually associated with the general practice of medicine, but many pediatricians specialize in cardiology, immunology, rheumatology, endocrinology or other medical fields. If your child develops a serious or chronic illness, your pediatrician may refer you to one of these pediatric specialists. For the majority of preventive care and treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, your regular pediatrician will be able to handle your child's needs and your questions.

Visits

• Pediatricians treat children from birth through their late teens, usually until the age of 18. Your pediatrician will see your child in his office very soon after you bring her home from the hospital. You will see the pediatrician frequently through infancy and early childhood, and the frequency will decrease as the child grows older and most of the immunizations have been given.

Treatment

• Pediatricians focus on preventive care and treat physical and behavioral issues. The immunizations children receive from birth until school age are necessary in order for them to attend school. The pediatrician will track growth and development of the child's body and mind. She will also give parents plenty of time to discuss their concerns and ask questions relative to the child's health and development.

Choice

• A pediatrician can be chosen before the child is born. A few weeks before delivery date you can make prenatal appointments to interview potential pediatricians. The doctor you select will examine your baby right after birth and again before you leave the hospital, as long as you choose a pediatrician that has privileges at the facility where your child is delivered. You will then know the doctor and how to get to their office when that first appointment arrives.

History

• Pediatrics has only been a medical specialty since the 1800's, when it first was taught in medical schools. Little Book on Diseases in Children, the first book on the subject, was published in 1472. Early pediatrics dealt mostly with communicable diseases in young people.

Training and Salary

• The average pediatrician in the United States makes $154,295 per year, according to Salary Wizard. It requires four years of medical school, three years of pediatric residency in a hospital and an examination to become qualified. Work weeks are commonly over 70 hours long.