Who is a pediatrician?
Pediatricians provide medical care for children under age 21 and some adults with pediatric illnesses. They can conduct regular well-child checkups while diagnosing and treating injuries, diseases, and other health conditions. Pediatricians also help prevent and manage behavioral and developmental issues that affect children.
Pediatricians train to treat minor to severe illnesses and conditions in children. They do physical examinations and provide vaccinations. Moreover, they can advise on a child's health, nutrition, safety, and fitness needs. They can also make a referral to other specialists if needed.
What do pediatricians do?
Pediatricians can diagnose and treat urinary tract infections, ear infections, fever, and flu. They can address concerns and problems related to sexual development and puberty. Further, they can also treat strep throat, tonsillitis, minor injuries, colds, and bronchitis.
To monitor a child's development and health, pediatricians can perform hearing tests, STD screening, blood tests (for lead and cholesterol), and newborn screening tests. They can also provide BMI tests, back-to-school and sports physicals, tuberculosis testing, and mental health screens.
Education and training of pediatricians
The initial step to becoming a pediatrician is to have a high school diploma in science or pass the general education development (GED) test. Subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry help prepare aspirants for the coursework in medical school.
Getting adequate grades in high school is necessary for applying to a four-year university. Therefore, the steps during the sophomore and junior years are crucial. After studying, students apply to several universities and choose the most prestigious one to increase their chances of attending medical school. In addition, one needs to clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standard multi-choice examination for admission to a medical school.
Students then need to spend four years working towards a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree. The first two years of school are mainly about classroom and laboratory learning, while the last two years involve practical and clinical experience under the supervision of licensed physicians.
After graduating, students spend at least three years in residency training to obtain hands-on experience in their specialty before obtaining a license to practice. Moreover, board certification through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), one of the certifying bodies of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), is also required.
What are the various subspecialties in pediatrics?
After completing the residency, some pediatricians go into general pediatric practice. However, some pediatricians focus on a specific area of child care. Depending on the chosen subspecialty, they study and train further for another two to six years. There are different kinds of specialists based on their areas of expertise.
When a child reaches adolescence, they face considerable academic and social pressure. You should avoid these pressures as they can turn into illnesses, habits, and behaviors that can be life-threatening. Adolescent health and medicine specialists focus on helping children between the ages of 11 and 21 with their complex physical and emotional healthcare needs.
Pediatric cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating your child's heart conditions. They are known to work closely with heart surgeons, making decisions about suitable treatments and surgeries.
These pediatricians have specialized training, experience, and skills required to evaluate children who may have experienced or been victims of some abuse or neglect.
Critical care pediatricians are usually team members of a healthcare professional team. They work in hospital-based intensive care units. These pediatrician specialists provide exceptional care to children in critical and unstable life-threatening conditions due to a severe illness or injury.
They focus on children who have problems with their endocrine system and hormones. They treat various conditions in children related to growth, puberty, and diabetes.
- Pediatric gastroenterology
Pediatric gastroenterologists take care of children and adolescents who have digestive system issues.
- Pediatric hematology-oncology
Pediatric hematology oncologists specialize in treating your child's blood disorders and cancer.
- Neonatal-perinatal medicine
Neonatal-perinatal pediatricians focus on providing care to premature and critically ill babies. They treat infants before, during, and after birth.
These pediatrician specialists take care of young children suffering from various kidney diseases.
Pediatric pulmonologists treat children who have breathing or lung problems.
Pediatric oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer in young children.
If your child is diagnosed with any neurological disorder, pediatric neurologists will take care of it as they have specialized knowledge in treating and managing neurological conditions. Such conditions persist from childhood till adulthood; therefore, pediatric neurologists often oversee their patients' diagnosis through adolescence.
Pediatric rheumatologists specialize in caring for children with autoimmune diseases or musculoskeletal disorders. They treat symptoms like fevers, joint pains, rashes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain.
When and why should your child visit a pediatrician?
A child's first visit to a pediatrician should be within 48 to 72 hours of birth. The next appointment should be when the child is two to four weeks old. The child must be taken to a pediatrician often during the first year. Furthermore, they should visit this specialist once they are two, four, six, nine, and 12 months old. After the first year, they can see the pediatrician at 15, 18, and 24 months. Beyond the first two years, visiting the pediatrician annually with your child is crucial.
If your child faces problems or illnesses between these visits, you can book an appointment with a pediatrician anytime. Regular visits are essential while the child grows up because pediatricians evaluate the child's overall physical and emotional health. They can tell you if their development is on track or if you need to correct any problem.
Since children cannot understand whether they are facing a problem, parents can rely on these specialists to warn them of such issues. During these visits, you can also discuss doubts or concerns about your child's health.
How do you ensure a healthy lifestyle for your kids?
Healthy eating habits and lifestyle are crucial for the child's growth and development. Here are some points that can contribute towards a healthy lifestyle for your kids:
Prepare and maintain an everyday schedule for physical activity and healthy eating, encouraging young children to quickly adapt these schedules into habits. Kids respond positively to the predictability of routine schedules, making them feel secure.
- Increase parental involvement at home and school
At home, parents or caregivers need to promote the idea that eating more vegetables is always good for health. Make it a point to stock the kitchen with vegetables and fruits, and avoid buying junk food. Emphasize eating healthy snacks and encourage your child to select vegetables and fruits at the grocery store.
Ensure your child carries a lunch box to school and involve them in packing their lunch box. Advocate for fundraisers that do not sell junk food, soda, or other unhealthy food items.
The amount of food children need varies according to their gender, age, and level of activity. Children tend to consume more portions when eating unhealthy or junk foods, as these foods do not provide a sense of fullness or satisfaction. Fruits and vegetables contain more fiber, making the stomach feel full when taken in the right portions, and also help with metabolism. Therefore, understand the right amount your child needs and serve nutritious meals to keep them healthy.
Skipping breakfast can often lead to a lack of energy and focus. It is important to eat a nutritious breakfast to fuel the body and brain for the day ahead. Subsequently, children may overeat during lunchtime. Eating an unhealthy breakfast is also equally detrimental to the child's health. Sugary cereals, pastries, or junk food cannot keep the stomach filled for very long and do not provide adequate energy. An ideal healthy breakfast should include a combination of the following foods:
- Protein-rich foods include eggs, low-fat milk, cheese or yogurt, nuts, and lean meats.
- Carbohydrate-rich foods include whole-grain toast, whole-grain cereals such as oatmeal, and whole-grain waffles.
- Fresh green leafy vegetables
- Frozen or fresh fruits with no added sugar
Physical activity is essential for children's health. Outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and playing in the garden can burn fats and boost the child's immune system. Pediatricians recommend that a child get at least one hour of physical activity or outdoor play time daily. Playing outside with other children helps them learn cooperation, independence, following rules, listening, and sharing, and teaches them about taking turns.
Avoid eating out regularly as it could lead to unhealthy food habits, which the child may think is normal. Home-cooked food is more nutritious for the child. Children who eat their meals at home will likely eat more vegetables and fruits than those who eat at restaurants. Create a food plan for the week on Sunday and prep for it beforehand to help save time.
How do you find the best pediatricians near you in Boston, MA?
As children can get sick at uncertain times and moments, it is crucial to know the whereabouts of a pediatrician near you. You can instantly refer to Zocdoc for a comprehensive list of top-rated pediatricians in your city.
Finding pediatricians in your city is simple and quick. Just enter 'pediatrician' and 'your city name' on the Zocdoc portal, and it will provide you with a list of the best-ranked practitioners in your location. Before selecting a practitioner, you can view their profiles with information about their education, specialty, conditions treated, hospital affiliations, certifications, and accepted insurance. You can even review ratings and verified reviews left by past patients who have used Zocdoc. This will help make a more informed choice.
Depending on the pediatrician's availability, you can instantly book appointments during regular business hours, weekends, or off-timings. You can also book online consultations with the best pediatricians near you. Look for a purple button on pediatrician profiles to find those who allow such video appointments.
Booking appointments with Zocdoc is quick, secure, and free.
Pediatric practice in the Boston and US
There are over 3,810 pediatricians in the United States, with an expected increase of 6% in the next 20 years. Thankfully, the infant mortality rate in the US in 2021 improved from 2020; there was a 1.18% decline, ranking the US 33 out of all the 36 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Over the last year, the COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted many children's routine appointments and immunizations. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) public sector vaccine ordering shows a 14% decrease in 2020-2021 compared to 2019, with measles vaccination orders down more than 20%.
According to the Boston Globe, over 15,000 youngsters had gotten their first Pfizer pediatric vaccination dose in December. Massachusetts has 515,000 children aged 5 to 11 years old. The Massachusetts Medical Society and two other physician organizations recommend that parents vaccinate their children over five against COVID-19.
Sources
Mayo Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Boston Globe
Cleveland Clinic
KidsHealth
Children’s Hospital Colorado
