Who is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is one of the first medical professionals your child encounters from the moment they are born. Pediatricians specialize in treating children's behavioral, emotional, and physical problems from birth to age 21.
They are experts in detecting disorders in newborns, babies, toddlers, pre-adolescents, and teens, both minor and severe. Following their MD (Doctor of Medicine), a physician completes a residency program in pediatric medicine. To become a certified pediatrician, doctors must pass the American Board of Pediatrics tests. They participate in numerous continuing education programs to keep their accreditation throughout their profession.
The main reasons why you would need to visit the local pediatrician with your child are:
- Newborn health checkup: A day or two after birth, pediatricians evaluate newborns for congenital ailments. During this visit, the doctor will examine your newborn's head for soft spots. They will also look at their eyes, nose, ears, mouth, and belly button for discoloration or lumps. They'll examine your baby's latch and see if they have a tongue tie that might interfere with their suckling movements. They will also search for dimples on the baby's back and examine for lumps on its abdomen. In terms of the child's hips and lower limbs, the physician will check them for any anomalies and feel for a solid femoral pulse.
- Annual health checkups: Having your child's health checked at least twice a year at the pediatrician's office will help you keep track of their developmental milestones. These examinations are performed from infancy to pre-adolescence to assess your child's physical and cognitive development. If your child's mental, behavioral, or physical development is disrupted, the doctor will advise you on the steps to ensure your child's health. They will refer you to specialist care if the anomaly needs specific care. If your child is overweight or underweight or has food allergies, they can provide dietary guidance. The pediatrician will inform you of your child's behavioral concerns or learning disabilities and educate you on their management.
- Adolescent counseling: Puberty can be difficult for most preteens and teenagers. Their thoughts and emotions change in tandem with their bodies. To make your teenager feel supported, you must have a deeper knowledge of their teen's needs. Pediatricians can provide expert advice on various health conditions to children aged 10 to 21 and their parents. A pediatrician will raise awareness about safe sex, teenage pregnancies, dangerous behaviors such as substance misuse and violence, and mental health measures.
- Eye infections: Conjunctivitis is common in children who visit daycare centers or schools. These contagious infections of the white part of the eye, sometimes known as 'pink eye,' spread through hand-to-eye contact with contaminated secretions. Your pediatrician can tell you whether your conjunctivitis is allergic, bacterial, or viral. They'll give you eye drops and ointment and ask you to keep your child out of daycare or school until fully recovered.
- Ear, nose, and throat infections: Ear pain is frequently caused by a wax-clogged ear canal or a throat infection. Infections caused by strep bacteria are relatively prevalent in children. Symptoms of strep throat include trouble swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, fever, headache, and a lack of appetite.
- Cold and cough: Because their immunity is still developing, an average child can catch a cold eight or more times per year. While many children heal at home with rest and warm fluid intake, you should see a pediatrician. You should contact your pediatrician if your child is running at a high temperature and has trouble breathing, eating, or sleeping. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and nasal sprays to assist in clearing your child's congested airways.
- Rashes and warts: Rashes on your child's skin might appear as pink, white, or light brown spots on a specific area or all over the body. Your pediatrician will look into the rashes to see if an allergic reaction or a microbiological infection causes them. Pediatricians effectively treat warts using cryotherapy (nitrogen freezing) or excision. These raised lumps are typical in children and adolescents and can be addressed using painless methods. Despite being contagious, they are generally harmless and can even disappear independently.
- Upset stomach: Stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are symptoms of food poisoning, indigestion, appendicitis, and motion sickness. Constipation is also common in kids and needs pediatric advice if it doesn't clear in 2-3 days. During home treatment for an upset stomach, hydration, rest, and a bland diet are recommended. See a pediatrician if your child develops a fever (above 102°F) and continues to have stomach problems. If your child's vomiting started after a head injury or a fall, you should immediately take them to the doctor.
- Dislocated limbs: Children and teenagers are pretty active, making them vulnerable to falls. Dislocated joints in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and hips are common. Since they are harrowing situations, seek emergency pediatric care to set the affected limb back in place.
- Severe injury: Any wound or cuts that cannot be managed with first-aid at home needs immediate assistance. Your pediatrician will check the wound and advise stitches if required. They will also prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications depending on the severity of the injury.
Why should your child visit a pediatrician?
The CDC estimates that every one in six children has at least one behavioral or developmental issue between the ages of three and seventeen. Accordingly, regular checkups with the best pediatricians near you can help identify the issues and prescribe the appropriate treatment. It is essential to detect the problems early for the well-being of children in their developmental stages.
Health professionals recommend taking your child to a pediatrician around seven times during the first year. Subsequently, children between the ages of 1 and 2 years should visit the professionals once every three to six months.
Pediatricians play an essential role in maintaining the health and well-being of the child. The specialists also give vaccinations to protect them from the most common diseases. Moreover, the visits include education about your child’s health progress and recommendations for necessary precautions and lifestyle measures.
Hence, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for the following reasons:
Children are at their most vulnerable during the growth stage and can catch common illnesses easily. Hence, you should see your pediatrician if your child is suffering from issues like high fever, constant coughing, persistent diarrhea, or severe sore throat.
- Acute or chronic conditions:
Pediatricians specialize in treating various medical conditions such as minor injuries, ear infections, strep throat and tonsillitis, and respiratory illnesses. The experts diagnose and prescribe appropriate medications with specialized dosages for children according to their age.
You can make an appointment with the best pediatrician near you to discuss concerns regarding puberty and sexual development. The doctor can help track their growth and create treatment plans accordingly. Moreover, they can also check for STDs and urinary tract infections.
Pediatricians can conduct tests to understand your child’s growth better and catch early signs of illness. Some standard tests include newborn screenings, hearing tests, blood tests, BMI, and back-to-school or sports physicals.
Pediatricians also conduct mental health screenings to assess a child’s emotional health. It helps them to identify signs of depression, stress, or anxiety. Additionally, they can identify symptoms of ADHD and other developmental mental disorders and refer them to a specialist.
Note: Parents should take their child to an emergency room if they have a medical emergency. You should especially take them if they have a fever of 104°F (40°C) or above or if breathing difficulties, constant crying, confusion, or seizures accompany it. Call the emergency services if a baby below two months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C).
How to prepare for a pediatric appointment?
While preparing for a pediatric appointment, keep the following in mind:
- Look for pediatricians who suit your needs. Consider your healthcare insurance, language preference, and other important factors when choosing a pediatrician.
- Schedule a prenatal appointment if you are pregnant. This is a great way to meet the pediatrician taking on an important role for the first eighteen years of your child's life.
- Consider the doctor's personality, clinic environment, timings, emergency plans, and other factors while choosing a pediatrician. Ask them these questions while you are getting to know them.
During the appointment, the pediatrician will perform tasks such as:
- Conducting a physical exam and checking vitals
- Tracking the growth and development of your child
- Educating you about nutrition, lifestyle and fitness, safety, and other essential factors
- Giving the child immunizations or vaccinations that are required
You should address any concerns regarding your child's development to your pediatrician. Your concerns may range from improving your child's immunity to tracking developmental milestones. A good pediatrician will always listen to your concerns and guide you in the best way possible.
Choosing a pediatrician for your child in New York City
There are two kinds of doctors who can treat children:
- A family physician (FP) is trained to care for people of all ages, including children.
- A pediatrician specializes in treating children up to age 18 or 21.
The type of doctor you choose would depend on your goals. You can choose a family physician if you want a doctor who treats your child even through adulthood. However, if you want a doctor who specifically treats children, you may choose a pediatrician. If you don't have a pediatrician for your child, you can find one through Zocdoc.
Zocdoc helps you find board-certified pediatricians covered by your health insurance across New York. Most parents are inclined to opt for a pediatrician recommended by their loved ones. Zocdoc ensures that every parent/guardian seeking the right doctor for their kid finds what they desire. From searches to bookings, everything is accessible on the website.
Once you enter the details, you can evaluate your insurance plan through the insurance checker on Zocdoc. Moreover, from the list of best pediatricians near you, you can choose the one aligned with your child's needs. The platform also offers a transparent view of each doctor's educational background, years of service, licensure, and specialty. You can even streamline your searches based on the languages spoken by the doctor.
Before confirming the date based on your convenience, explore the patient-verified testimonials and ratings for the doctors. Schedule an in-person or online visit once you have found the right doctor for your kid. Zocdoc is available at zero fees and is safe and secure.
Child health and pediatrician statistics in New York and the U.S.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), roughly 1.3% of children aged 0-4 years and 1.8% of children aged 5-11 years will have fair or poor health in 2021. About 3.3% of children aged between 5 and 11 years have missed 11 or more school days due to illness, injury, or disability in the United States. Moreover, 97.9% of children between 0 to 4 years and 97.7% between 5 and 11 years have a usual source of health care.
Pediatrics is the third most common specialization among doctors in New York, after general medicine and psychiatry. In New York alone, over 6600 pediatricians are expected to practice by 2030. Despite the presence of Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), about 100,000 city-based children still lack insurance coverage. Too many kids in NYC suffer from unmet health needs. The city records the highest rate of preventable pediatric hospitalizations in the United States. The city's health care measures aim to eradicate disparities preventing infants and kids from leading healthy lives.
Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics
University at Albany
Children's Defense Fund New York
Cleveland Clinic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthline
University of Rochester Medical Center
WebMD
Nemours KidsHealth
Medical News Today
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