Who is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is one of the first medical practitioners your child meets. Choosing the right pediatrician can be challenging. Pediatricians specialize in managing children's behavioral, mental, and physical ailments from birth until the age of 18. They are experts in diagnosing both minor and severe diseases of newborns, infants, toddlers, pre-adolescents, and teens.
A pediatrician specializes in pediatric medicine through a residency program after their MD (Doctor of Medicine). To become a certified pediatrician, doctors must clear the exams conducted by The American Board of Pediatrics. They also attend various continuous learning programs to maintain their certification throughout their practice.
What are the different subspecialties in pediatrics?Â
Many pediatricians may work as primary care doctors who perform regular health and wellness checkups. They may also diagnose and treat various general health conditions, provide vaccinations, and offer appropriate health guidance to young people and their parents/caregivers. Â
Other pediatricians may specialize in treating specific medical disorders or age groups. These subspecialties include the following:
- Adolescent medicine specialists focus on providing care during adolescence from ages 11 to 21 years old.
- Child abuse pediatricians have specialized training, experience, and skills to evaluate a child who may have experienced abuse or neglect.
- Critical care pediatricians facilitate teams of healthcare specialists who treat children in critical or unstable health situations. These pediatricians often work in hospital-based intensive care units (ICUs).
- Developmental behavioral pediatricians assess the behavioral and learning development of children and teenagers.Â
- Neonatal-perinatal pediatricians provide care to infants before, during, and after birth. They are also responsible for treating premature and critically sick newborns.
6. Â Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat various heart ailments in children. Many work closely with heart surgeons to decide the best treatment plans.
- Pediatric endocrinologists specialize in the hormones produced by the endocrine system. They may treat various illnesses in children, including diabetes.
- Pediatric gastroenterologists focus on the health of a young person's digestive system.
- Pediatric nephrologists specialize in treating disorders affecting a child's urinary system, including urinary tract infections and kidney disease.
- Pediatric neurologists treat and manage neurological disorders in children. Neurological conditions that present during childhood may persist through adulthood. They oversee their patients' care from diagnosis through adolescence.
- Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer in children.
- Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose and treat children with breathing problems and lung diseases.
- Pediatric rheumatologists treat children and adolescents who have musculoskeletal disorders, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain.
How does a pediatrician treat developmental delays in children?
About 10-15% of preschool children show developmental delays, as per a 2019 Singapore Medical Journal study. A developmental delay is when a child fails to reach necessary milestones compared to others within the same age range. Such delays in children can be a source of concern for parents, but pediatricians can address and manage these issues effectively.
Recognizing that early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes, pediatricians employ an approach comprising the following to treat developmental delays:
Early identification: Pediatricians play a vital role in the early identification of developmental delays. Through routine checkups and developmental screenings, they assess a child's physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional development milestones.
Assessment and diagnosis: Upon identifying potential delays, pediatricians conduct thorough inspections to pinpoint the specific areas of concern. This assessment may involve physical examinations, developmental questionnaires, and, in some cases, referrals to specialists for more in-depth evaluations.
Collaboration with specialists: Pediatricians often collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including developmental pediatricians, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. This collaborative approach allows a more nuanced understanding of the child's needs and facilitates a targeted treatment plan.
Individualized treatment plans: Treatment plans for developmental delays are highly individualized and tailored to address the specific challenges faced by each child. Pediatricians work closely with families to create a plan that may include therapies, educational interventions, and home exercises.
Early intervention services: Pediatricians often refer children with developmental delays to early intervention services. These services could encompass speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions. Early intervention is crucial for maximizing a child's developmental potential.
Parental guidance and support: Pediatricians provide ongoing advice and support to parents, offering strategies to promote their child's development at home. The child development strategies may involve recommending activities, play-based interventions, and creating an environment that encourages learning and growth.
Monitoring progress: Regular follow-up appointments with the best pediatrician near you are essential for monitoring a child's progress. Pediatricians continuously assess developmental milestones, adjusting treatment plans to address emerging needs or challenges.
Advocacy and coordination: Pediatricians advocate for their young patients, coordinating care and ensuring families can access the resources and services needed for comprehensive developmental support. Such a support plan may involve liaising with schools, early intervention programs, and community resources.
By addressing developmental delays early and implementing targeted interventions, pediatricians play a pivotal role in supporting a child's overall well-being and helping them reach their full developmental potential. Regular communication between parents and pediatricians fosters a collaborative approach to care, resulting in a supportive environment for children facing developmental challenges.
When to visit a pediatrician?
Mentioned below are the main reasons why you would need to visit the local pediatrician with your child:
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- Newborn health checkup: Pediatricians examine neonates a day or two after birth to check for congenital illnesses. During this visit, the doctor will check your newborn's head for soft spots. They will also look for discoloration or masses in the eyes, nose, ears, mouth, and belly button. They will check how good your baby's latch is and whether or not they have a tongue tie that could interrupt their suckling movements. They will also check the baby's tummy for any masses and look for dimples at the back. As far as the little one's hips and lower limbs are concerned, the pediatrician will check for any abnormalities in the hips and feel for a solid femoral pulse. They will guide you on the recommended immunization schedule as per the American Academy of Pediatrics. They will also discuss breast/bottle feeding, tummy time, and sleep schedules that would help your baby's overall development.
- Annual health checkups: Routine health checks at the pediatrician's office at least twice a year will help you track your child's developmental milestones. These checkups are conducted from infancy until pre-adolescence to check your child's physical and cognitive development. Suppose the doctor detects an issue with your child's mental/behavioral/physical development. In that case, they will guide you on the measures needed for your child's wellness. They give nutritional advice if your kid is overweight or underweight or is allergic to certain foods. If the child struggles with behavioral issues or learning disabilities, the pediatrician will advise you accordingly.
- Eye infections: Children who attend daycare facilities or schools are prone to develop conjunctivitis. Commonly known as 'pink eye,' these are contagious infections of the white part of the eye that spread through hand-to-eye contact due to infected secretions. Your pediatrician can diagnose whether the conjunctivitis is allergic/bacterial or viral. They will prescribe eye drops and ointment and instruct you to keep your kid away from daycare or school until total recovery.
- Ear and throat infections: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention observes that one out of every five visits to the doctor in the USA is due to ear infections. Ear pain often results from a wax-clogged ear canal or throat infection. A throat infection due to strep bacteria is pretty common in children. Having difficulty swallowing, red and enlarged tonsils with fever, headache, and lack of appetite are symptoms of strep throat.
- Cold and cough: An average child can catch a cold eight or more times a year as their immunity is still developing resistance. While many children recover from rest and warm fluid intake at home, you would still need to visit the pediatrician. In some cases, if your child is running a high fever and is experiencing difficulties breathing, eating, or sleeping, see your pediatrician. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and nasal sprays to help clear your child's congested airways.
- Rashes and other skin-related disorders: Skin rashes can appear as pink or white or light brown patches on a localized area of your kid's body or all over the body. Your pediatrician will investigate the rashes to understand whether they are due to an allergic response or microbial infection.
- Warts: Pediatricians effectively manage warts by removing them with cryotherapy (freezing with nitrogen), painting with cantharidin or electrosurgery (burning), or excision (cutting the wart out). These raised bumps are common in kids and adolescents and can be treated with pain-free techniques. Although contagious, they are usually harmless and can even go away independently.
- Upset stomach: Food poisoning, indigestion, appendicitis, and motion sickness can present with a stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Hydration, rest, and a bland diet are recommended for an upset stomach during home care. However, if your child runs a fever (over 102°F) and continues to suffer from an upset stomach, visit the best pediatrician near you immediately. It is also advised to take your child to the pediatrician's office if the vomiting follows a head injury or fall.
How to find the best pediatricians in Los Angeles?
Most people choose a specialist for their child's health needs based on the recommendations of those near and dear to them. Zocdoc gives an equal opportunity for parents seeking expert-level pediatric care for their children and teens. You can start by visiting the website, entering your details, checking your insurance through the insurance checker, and making an informed choice from the list of top pediatricians in your vicinity.
You get all the information regarding each practitioner's educational qualifications, licensure, experience, and specialty here. You can even learn which languages they speak to create a better rapport with your pediatrician.Â
At Zocdoc, you have access to patient-verified testimonials and ratings, which is an excellent way to find a pediatrician without worry. Once you have finalized the best pediatrician near you, you can schedule an in-person or online visit on a date of your choice based on their availability. This user-friendly platform allows you to access the providers without charging a fee and ensures safety and security.
 Bookings on Zocdoc are secure, quick, and free!
Pediatrician statistics in Los Angeles, California
As of 2015, over 4,155 pediatricians are working in California. According to Medi-Cal Health, there are over 5,551,652 children registered under the insurance scheme in California alone, while around 47% of children remain uninsured in 3 counties, including Los Angeles.
In 2016, out of the 20,360 deaths among children and teens in the United States, over 60% were due to injury-related causes. Over the years, the advancements in healthcare and better accessibility have reduced death and disability resulting from infectious diseases and cancer in Los Angeles.
Sources
Healthline Media
Statista
University of California
KidsHealth
California Department of Health Care Services
National Library of Medicine
