Who are pediatricians?
Pediatricians treat health-related issues in newborns, children, adolescents, and young adults. They are responsible for various tasks, such as routine exams and treating diseases, injuries, and other health concerns. These doctors also offer health advice and track the child's physical, emotional, and social development.
Education and training of pediatricians
Pediatricians undergo more than a decade of training before they start practicing. Once they complete their four-year undergraduate degree, they must sit for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) to obtain admission to an accredited medical school. In medical school, during their training, they learn about the anatomy and physiology of the human body and take part in clinical rotations, where they train in different fields of medicine. The fields include pediatrics, emergency medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and radiology.
After obtaining their medical degree, doctors attend a three-year pediatric residency program specializing in pediatrics. The residency includes training in pediatric specialties such as newborn intensive care, general pediatrics, and developmental-behavioral pediatrics. After residency, pediatricians can opt for general pediatric practice or enter fellowship programs for additional training in pediatric subspecialties.
What are the different pediatric subspecialties?
Pediatricians can specialize in various pediatric subspecialties to gain detailed knowledge and treat those specific conditions. Some of the common pediatric subspecialties are:
- Adolescent medicine - Adolescent medicine experts have additional training in various medical and mental concerns that affect teenagers. They deal with topics like reproductive health, drugs, and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, irregular periods, mood changes, sexual identity crises, and problems at home or school.
- Cardiology - Pediatric cardiologists treat heart conditions in infants and children. The diseases are usually congenital or may manifest later in childhood. Common conditions include heart murmurs, atrial septal defects, heart valve disorders, and cardiac rhythm disturbances.
- Critical care - Pediatric intensivists or critical care pediatricians help diagnose and treat children with acute and critical conditions. Critical care includes various health conditions such as respiratory failure, cardiac failure, septic infections, and severe traumatic injuries. Treatment by these specialists emphasizes careful monitoring of these conditions and making appropriate medical decisions.
- Endocrinology - Pediatric endocrinologists diagnose and manage children with metabolic and hormonal disorders. They treat overweight children or those with diabetes, growth disorders, and abnormally functioning pituitary glands.
- Gastroenterology - Pediatric gastroenterologists provide diagnosis and medical care for children with digestive system disorders. Common digestive conditions are gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), pancreatitis, and appendicitis.
- Hematology - Pediatric hematologists and oncologists treat children with leukemia, brain tumors, and other blood-related disorders. They also manage platelet disorders and lymphomas.
- Neonatology - Neonatologists manage the care of premature and critically ill newborns and diagnose conditions in pregnancy and postpartum. They oversee high-risk deliveries alongside obstetricians and cater to infants who require immediate care after birth. They also perform a general physical examination for neonates post-delivery. They can also help diagnose and treat a newborn's congenital abnormalities and cardiac diseases.
- Pulmonology - Pediatric pulmonologists provide care for children with health conditions related to the respiratory system, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pneumonia. Most of these diseases manifest in early childhood as coughing and breathing difficulty.
- Rheumatology - Pediatric rheumatologists diagnose and treat children with joint and bone disorders. Some common rheumatic conditions in children are Kawasaki disease, vasculitis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Early childhood development facts you should know about
Here are some facts about early childhood development UNICEF wants you to be aware of:
- Babies can see and hear right from birth - The infant recognizes the caregiver's face and enjoys responding to their smiles and voices. The caregiver should start talking to their infant as soon as they are born.
- Consistent, responsive care is essential for newborns - Babies communicate by reacting to the caregiver's tiniest movement, sound, or scent. An intimate link forms between the two after the feeding starts from the first day. The infant gets "attached" to the person who continuously holds them, loves them, and makes them feel safe. This connection or link lasts a lifetime.
- Curiosity is in children's nature - They are curious right from birth. How they influence and change the people and things around them matters significantly to them. Children learn through playing, experimenting, observing, and mimicking what others do. Continual interaction between them and their surroundings influences a child's growth.
- Children learn most things while young - Brain development is rapid before birth and during the first two years of life. Hence, quality nutrition and good health are vital during this stage. 80% of the human brain develops between 0 and 3, and 90% develops by age five.
- Children require a safe environment for learning - Childhood is all about discovering new things and developing new talents. Children need a clean, safe, and protected physical environment to avoid injuries and mishaps when playing and learning. Over 200 million children under five fail to reach their full developmental potential as they lack this environment.
- Pay close attention to your children's actions, sounds, and cries - Children communicate to convey their desires. Babies, for example, exhibit hunger by becoming irritable, sucking their hands, or turning their heads toward the breast. Using these cues, a caregiver can learn to notice that a child is hungry before the baby even begins crying.
Millions of children with developmental risks, challenges, and impairments cannot reach their full potential in many nations, unlike their counterparts growing up in more affluent circumstances. Thus, it is crucial to know about early childhood development. Keeping your child safe, growing, and protected is challenging but not impossible. This is where a healthcare professional plays a key role. Locating and keeping in touch with the best pediatricians near you can help your child in the long run.
Why does your child need a pediatrician?
Pediatricians are experts who undergo extensive training to understand the conditions that affect children. Children often showcase symptoms that vary from adults and warrant different prescriptions and treatments; hence, they will better cater to your child's needs. Some conditions seen explicitly in the pediatric population are -
- Chickenpox - Viral infection leading to a generalized rash on the body with fever and pustules
- Diphtheria - Bacterial infection that manifests in the throat as a white membrane, cough, and breathing difficulty
- Mumps - This condition is also known as parotitis, resulting in swollen salivary glands and a swollen face
- Polio - Viral infection leading to neck stiffness and paresthesia
Pediatricians efficiently manage most of the conditions mentioned above via vaccines advised by them. Additionally, these specialists monitor children's developmental milestones and seasonal flu cases. This will help your child grow into a healthy adult.
How do you ensure a healthy lifestyle for your kids?
Ensuring your children's well-being and development involves cultivating a healthy lifestyle, which begins with selecting a top pediatrician for regular checkups. However, before heading to a pediatrician near you, knowing how to maintain a healthy lifestyle without a doctor’s intervention can be helpful. Here are a few essential recommendations to promote a wholesome lifestyle for families -
Nutritious Eating -
- Kick-start the day with a balanced breakfast to provide essential energy.
- Involve children in planning and preparing at least one meal weekly.
- Foster bonding and healthy eating habits through regular family meals.
- Emphasize mindful eating, encouraging slow chewing for better digestion.
- Boost consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, aiming for recommended daily servings.
- Incorporate whole grains like oats, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta into meals.
- Opt for hydrating beverages like water, low-fat milk, and low-calorie options.
- Serve meals with variety and in moderate portions to maintain balance.
Staying Active -
- 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily can enhance overall health.
- Integrate physical activities into the children's daily routines, such as pre or post-meal family walks.
- Make family playtime enjoyable and physically stimulating with activities like basketball or tag.
- To burn calories productively, involve the children in household chores like dusting, vacuuming, or gardening.
- Sustain an active lifestyle during vacations with outdoor activities like hiking or biking.
- Monitor calorie intake to maintain a balanced diet.
- Limit screen time to less than two hours daily, substituting it with physical activities.
By prioritizing these recommendations, families can create a supportive environment for healthy living, fostering proper growth and development in children while promoting overall well-being. Regular visits to a trusted pediatrician ensure comprehensive care and guidance tailored to each child's unique needs.
How to ensure you do the right things for a healthy lifestyle
Creating a healthy lifestyle involves mindful eating, regular exercise, and setting achievable goals for lasting well-being. Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
1. Set realistic goals. Start with achievable aims, like increasing vegetable intake and reducing high-calorie foods.
2. Eat only when you're hungry. Avoid eating out of boredom, stress, or fatigue; develop other habits like taking a walk, playing a game, reading a book, or calling a friend.
3. Avoid overeating. Stop eating once you feel satisfied and push the plate away.
4. Keep a food journal. Record what you eat, how much, when, and why to become more mindful of your choices.
5. Track your physical activity. Note your exercise's type, duration, and intensity to stay consistent and motivated.
6. Prioritize mealtime at the table. Try not to eat in the car or in front of the TV to stay focused on how much you eat and prevent overeating.
7. Plan your workouts. To stay on track, schedule exercise sessions on your calendar and set out your workout clothes the night before.
8. Shop for groceries on a full stomach. This can help curb impulse buys and support healthier food choices.
9. Be mindful of what you drink. Avoid high-calorie beverages, opting for water or low- and no-calorie options. Remember, a 32 oz. regular soda can contain up to 400 calories.
10. Limit alcohol intake. Moderation is always key to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
These steps can support sustainable, positive changes for you and your family.
How often should you ensure your child visits a pediatrician?
Your baby’s initial pediatrician visit should occur between 48 to 72 hours after being discharged from the hospital. You should schedule the second visit when they are two to four weeks old. Throughout the first year, your child should see their pediatrician at two, four, six, nine, and twelve months. Experts recommend appointments at 15, 18, and 24 months following your baby's first birthday. After that, they advise annual visits with the pediatrician. Additionally, you can make appointments anytime you have a health concern or if your child becomes ill.
How can you find the best pediatricians near you in Herndon, Virginia?
As experts in child care, pediatricians play a crucial role in maintaining children's overall health and help you anticipate your child's needs right from birth to adulthood. They treat various diseases ranging from the common cold to life-threatening conditions. However, finding an experienced and skilled pediatrician who will listen to your requirements and offer treatments requires time and effort. Even if you succeed in finding one, booking appointments with them might be a hassle.
Zocdoc is a platform that helps you book appointments with the pediatrician of your choice without going through any trouble. You can access the best pediatricians through the open specialist directory on the website. You can also pay for the treatment through your health insurance plan by including your insurance carrier's name in the search. The website will then display all specialists that accept your insurance.
If you need assistance finding pediatricians who accept your insurance, our online patient support center can help. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider utilizes Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can conveniently enter your secondary insurance information there.
Each healthcare professional on Zocdoc has a unique profile where you can read about their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interest, licensure, experience, and the languages they speak. Before deciding, you can also access the doctor's user ratings and verified patient reviews. You can quickly locate the best pediatricians in Herndon, Virginia, by conducting an area-specific search. Once you've narrowed your search, you can immediately book an online or in-person consultation via Zocdoc.
Booking appointments with Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free of cost!
Statistics of congenital disabilities in the US and Virginia
Congenital disabilities are more common than we think they are. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital disabilities affect one in 33 babies born in the United States annually. According to the report, congenital impairments are the main cause of infant mortality in the USA, accounting for 20% of all fatalities. The statistics also say that one in every 707 babies in the US is born with Down's syndrome (genetic congenital disability).
The scenario is no different in Virginia. According to a report by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network in Virginia, approximately 102,400 babies are born annually, of which about 3,100 are born with congenital disabilities. The report also states that congenital disabilities in Virginia cause one in five infant deaths, warranting immediate pediatric care.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
News Medical Life Sciences
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Birth Defects Prevention Network
UNICEF
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