Who is a pediatrician?
Children and teenagers have medical needs outside the expertise of a physician who primarily works with adults. A pediatrician is a trained medical professional specializing in adhering to these medical needs. Their training equips them to conduct regular checkups and diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, therefore playing an essential role in the health and well-being of infants, children, and teenagers.
To qualify as a pediatrician, doctors must complete four years of medical school and attend a three-year pediatric residency program. After residency, some pediatricians go into general pediatric practice. Other pediatricians undergo fellowship programs for additional training in a subspecialty of their choice. These programs can take two to six years.
What does a pediatrician do?
A pediatrician performs many responsibilities, such as:
- Conducting regular well-child checkups.
- Performing physical exams.
- Tracking the child's physical, emotional, and social development.
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and other health conditions.
- Giving vaccinations.
- Prescribing medications like antibiotics and pain relievers.
- Listening to parents' concerns and answering their questions.
- Making referrals to specialists when necessary.
While many pediatricians work as primary care physicians, some may specialize in treating specific health conditions. Some of the pediatric subspecialties are as follows:
- Adolescent medicine specialists focus on care during adolescence.
- Critical care pediatricians treat children in unstable or severe conditions in hospital-based intensive care units.
- Developmental behavioral pediatricians diagnose and treat children's developmental, learning, and behavioral problems.
- Child abuse pediatricians work with children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
- Neonatal-perinatal pediatricians care for infants before, during, and after birth.
- Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat different types of cancer in children.
- Pediatric cardiologists work with children who have heart conditions.
- Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose, treat, and manage breathing problems and lung diseases in children.
- Pediatric nephrologists specialize in treating children with urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and other conditions that affect the urinary system.
- Pediatric gastroenterologists look after children with digestive problems.
When should you visit a pediatrician?
Pediatric care can begin before conception and continue through pregnancy. Your child's first visit to a pediatrician should be within 72 hours of leaving the hospital. The second visit can be after about two to four weeks. During their first year, your child should see a pediatrician after every two months. After that, you can schedule appointments for annual checkups and vaccinations based on the pediatrician's recommendations.
These annual checkups or well-child visits are essential for your child's well-being. The pediatrician would evaluate the overall physical and emotional health and track the child's development. They may ask about your child's eating, sleeping, and social habits. You can also address any concerns that you may have about your child's health.
Besides well-child visits, you can book an appointment when you have a health concern, or your child is ill. New parenthood can be full of uncertainty. You may not know when or when not to call a pediatrician. A few key symptoms can help you decide when to call your pediatrician. Watch out for the following signs:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cold or respiratory infection
- Rash
Call the best pediatrician near you right away if you notice any of the following:
- Trouble waking your child
- Sharp or constant belly pain
- Burning when your child pees or blood in their urine
- Seizures
How do you ensure a healthy lifestyle for your kids?
Ensuring a healthy lifestyle for your kids is essential for their overall well-being and development. Here are some fundamental tips to promote a healthy lifestyle for both children and families:
Eating better
- Begin your day with a nutritious breakfast. It provides energy for the day ahead.
- Involve children in planning and preparing one meal weekly.
- Partake in family meals together often.
- Take your time while eating, and chew slowly.
- Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, aiming for around two cups of fruits and two and half cups of vegetables daily.
- Incorporate more whole grains into your diet. Examples include oats, brown rice, rye, and whole-wheat pasta. Approximately three ounces of whole grains daily are essential.
- Stay adequately hydrated. The best choices are always water, low-fat or nonfat milk, and low-calorie beverages.
- Keep a variety of food for meals and serve in small portions.
Being more active
- Be more physically active. Aim for 30-60 minutes of exercise daily.
- Integrate physical activity into your daily schedule. Consider going for a family walk before or after meals.
- Be creative with your family playtime. It will offer exercise along with enjoyment. You can shoot hoops, play tag, or whatever you like.
- Stay active at home by completing tasks like dusting, vacuuming, gardening, or walking the dog. These chores are effective ways to burn calories.
- Always include activities such as hiking or biking to stay active when on vacation.
- Keep track of your daily calorie requirements.
- Limit screen time (TV, computer, and video games) to less than two hours daily and encourage physical activity instead.
Remember that consistency is important when instilling healthy habits in children. You can help your kid develop lifelong healthy habits by providing a supportive and nurturing environment. It will contribute to their quality of life.
How can you prepare your child for a pediatric visit?
Many children worry about going to the doctor. Some common concerns include fear of separation, pain, or even the doctor's manner. Here is how you can help your child overcome this fear:
- Talk to them about the purpose of the visit. Explain how attending well-child visits is essential to staying healthy.
- Reassure your child that their illness is not caused by anything they did or forgot to do, and it can still happen. Tell them that the doctor is going to help them feel better.
- Give your child the space to talk about any negative feelings.
- Share if you or a relative or friend has the same condition as your child. Knowing that others have been through the same thing can help them.
- Let your child participate by collaborating to list symptoms or questions for the doctor.
Be sure to explain that going to the pediatrician is not a punishment but helpful. You may also use children's books or role-playing to help them understand a doctor's visit. Let your child know that the privacy of their body is still valid; however, doctors and nurses must sometimes examine their bodies. Reassure your child that you will be in the exam room with them.
How to find the best pediatrician near you in Elmont, New York?
If you are looking for a pediatrician, you can ask friends, family members, and other parents. You may also ask your OB-GYN to recommend one. It may be challenging to find a pediatrician that suits your needs. Zocdoc is an online platform that helps you find highly qualified healthcare providers near you.
Enter keywords like "pediatrician" or "child doctor" and select your location and preferred appointment date on the Zocdoc finder. If you have healthcare insurance, you can add the information to find in-network pediatricians in Elmont. Filter the results by distance, time of day, gender, hospital affiliations, and spoken languages.
Each profile in the database includes information such as the pediatrician's education, training, certifications, office details, and hospital affiliations. Zocdoc also includes user-verified reviews and ratings for all pediatricians on their website. Book an in-person or online appointment when you have selected a pediatrician that meets your requirements.
Locating the best pediatrician near you is now easier! All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free of cost!
Child Health Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports show about 3,664,292 births in the United States in 2021. Around 8.52% of infants were born with low weight, less than 2500 grams. Roughly 10.49% of births were preterm births. These numbers suggest that children need special attention from pediatric specialists.
Roughly 1.3% of children from 0 to 4 years and 1.8% from 5 to 11 years were in fair or poor health in 2021. About 3.3% of children aged 5 to 11 years missed eleven days of school because of an illness, injury, or disability. Moreover, roughly 4.1% of children in the United States do not have health insurance. Around 97.9% of children 0-4 years and 97.7% of children 5-11 years have a usual source of health care.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 3,710 pediatricians in New York.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
KidsHealth
Medical News Today
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
