Who is a pediatrician?
Having a baby is a significant stage in a person's life. Babies bring joy, and they are sensitive and small. Hence, one thing that requires attention even before the baby's birth is choosing a doctor who can advise and care for their healthcare. Babies have social, psychological, developmental, and physical needs right after delivery. Pediatricians are medical professionals who care for babies' health, physique, and overall nutrition and activity.
They also assess the medical history and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Although no strict parameters exist, they are involved in individuals' health care from birth until age 18. Experts are trained to advise and diagnose various illnesses affecting children, from mild flu to severe disorders. Treating kids can be challenging as everyone has different needs. Hence, they customize a personalized treatment approach based on the children and their condition.
What is the role of a pediatrician, and what can they diagnose?
Pediatricians diagnose a wide range of conditions and diseases. They handle everything from well-baby checkups to chronic medical issues. Pediatricians offer preventive care and diagnose and treat infections, accidents, and disorders.
Some of these are listed below:
- Conducting frequent health and wellness screenings (also known as well-baby or well-child visits)
- Performing physical examinations
- Keeping track of your child's physical, emotional, and social growth
- Diagnosing and managing illnesses, injuries, and other medical problems
- Administering vaccines
- Prescribing medication
- Addressing any queries that parents may have about children
- Offering health advice
- Referring to specialists when required
Qualifications and training of a pediatrician
Pediatricians complete their medical school and finish a 3-year residency program in pediatrics. Sometimes, doctors might start their practice after residency. At the same time, other options include completing a fellowship or enrolling in additional pediatric subspecialties training. They receive extensive training before their course begins, so they have the necessary skills and expertise to care for children.
A regular medical practice requires a state license; a pediatrician acquires the same and undergoes different processes and training depending on the state. Pediatricians may also opt to earn board certification. A common practice followed by all medical professionals is to keep learning and be a part of academia, even in their professional careers.
Types of pediatric specialties
General pediatrics is one of the most common specialties where the pediatrician monitors the baby's overall health through various medical assessments, vaccines, laboratory tests, and evaluations of their development. The general pediatrician may treat common flu, colds, injuries, etc.
The conditions not covered in general pediatrics are taken care of by these specialties:
1) Cardiology - A pediatric cardiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiac and cardiovascular abnormalities in children. They diagnose and treat a child born with heart issues(congenital disease) or who develops a heart issue during adolescence.
2) Dentistry - The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists [AAPD] states that getting your child a dental checkup is advisable when their first tooth appears. A pediatric dentist has three years or more of experience solely treating children. They can provide oral health care using oral health exams to diagnose and treat gum diseases(ulcers, mucoceles, etc.), dental injuries(broken teeth, fractured and misaligned teeth), tooth cavities, teeth straightening, etc. They can also help identify symptoms of severe health conditions like diabetes, asthma, hay fever, etc.
3) Dermatology - Babies often develop rashes, cradle caps, blemishes, hemangiomas, dermatitis, skin allergies, or acne due to underlying issues. While a general pediatrician can help with skin problems, a pediatric dermatologist focuses explicitly on children's needs, and hence, they can make better diagnoses and treatment approaches.
4) Endocrinology - Diabetes in children is a complex condition to treat. Some children have conditions like type 1 diabetes and hormonal imbalances. It often originates in the pancreas, adrenals, or thyroid and is a primary chronic condition. A pediatric endocrinologist diagnoses these conditions and will carefully care for the child throughout their young life.
5) Infectious diseases - These specialists treat, diagnose, and prevent children's infectious diseases. A general pediatrician can also treat these conditions, but infectious disease specialists extensively get training in treating such complex issues in children. Hence, their diagnosis can be faster and more accurate.
6) Neonatologist - The doctor may inform pregnant women that their fetus has problems or might deliver prematurely. In these cases, a neonatologist helps, assesses the situation, and prepares for the baby's delivery. They also care for critically ill infants and perform various procedures.
7) Pulmonologist - Pediatric pulmonologists treat children with lung issues, chronic wheezing, sleeping disorders, asthma, or pneumonia. A general pediatrician often refers you to the right specialist based on the problems and needs of your child.
What are some common pediatric diseases?
Pediatric diseases cover a range of health issues affecting children, from mild illnesses to more prolonged conditions. Children under five are more susceptible to infectious diseases. If your child shows signs of infection or other health concerns, consulting a pediatrician is essential.
Here's a look at some common childhood illnesses:
1. Pneumonia: This is when one or both lungs' air sacs get inflamed, causing symptoms like cough with phlegm, chills, fever, and difficulty breathing. Factors like poor nutrition, lack of clean surroundings, indoor air pollution, and limited access to healthcare contribute to pneumonia.
2. Common cold: Typically caused by viruses, colds can also indicate an underlying issue. Young children, especially those in daycare, may experience six to eight colds annually due to exposure to various germs. Symptoms may include coughing, a runny nose, and congestion.
3. Diarrhea: Common among children under five, diarrhea can result from dietary changes, viral infections, and food allergies. Children's weaker immune systems make them more susceptible to digestive issues.
4. Ear infections: Bacterial or viral infections can lead to common childhood illnesses like ear infections, with symptoms such as earache, ear tugging, fever, and difficulty sleeping.
5. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD): Although not usually severe, HFMD is highly contagious and often affects newborns and children under five. Symptoms may include skin rashes, fever, and oral sores.
6. Tuberculosis: While often associated with adults, tuberculosis can also affect children, leading to respiratory problems like difficulty breathing and coughing. Children are more susceptible to severe forms of TB, and their symptoms may differ from those in adults.
Given that symptoms of different diseases can overlap, consulting with a trusted pediatrician near you is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. It is even more critical if your child has pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.
Questions to ask your pediatrician
When choosing a pediatrician for your child, consider asking them some important questions. It will help ensure you choose a doctor who can meet your child's medical needs. You can also set up face-to-face meetings with the best pediatricians near you to learn more about them. You can consider asking the following questions:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How long does a typical checkup last?
- How do you handle emergencies?
- Can you handle a particular condition? (remember to ask this, especially if your child has a specific condition or chronic health issue)
- Do you have a call-in policy?
- Do you offer video consultations?
- Do you have separate wings for sick and well-child visits?
Long-haul COVID-19 in children
It is a common misconception that COVID-19 doesn't affect children. However, most kids who test positive for COVID-19 have symptoms lasting over a month. Many post-COVID conditions are known as long-haul COVID.
The most common symptoms of long-haul COVID-19 are prolonged fatigue, poor physical endurance, cough, mood changes, trouble breathing, headache, and fever. Chronic symptoms might be hard to recognize, but they manifest in various ways after having COVID-19. For example, common symptoms children in the intensive care unit [ICU] face on a ventilator are fatigue and weak muscles.
There are no dedicated medical tests used for diagnosing long-haul COVID. However, a pediatrician may run other laboratory tests or refer the child to a subspecialist if the symptoms persist for over three months. Researchers are still discovering the causes of long-haul COVID-19, but visiting a pediatrician to run tests and provide necessary treatments for the child is recommended.
What happens during a well-child visit?
To establish if your child is growing normally, the pediatrician will evaluate their weight and height and calculate body mass index (BMI). The pediatrician will monitor their blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. They will also perform a full-body physical examination. If required, they will administer vaccinations. You can also expect the pediatrician to ask questions, address your concerns, and offer advice regarding your child's growth and development. Aside from these procedures, they will evaluate the health and development of your child differently depending on their age.
How do you find the best pediatrician near you in Pleasanton, California?
Choosing a pediatrician before a child's birth is crucial to maintaining their overall physical well-being. Doctors are present from the pregnancy through the delivery and will look into the child's immediate health as soon as they are born. Your pediatrician is the first person to contact when a child faces physical discomfort. If you need to find the best pediatricians in your area, we're here to help!
Zocdoc has made finding a pediatrician in Pleasanton, California, easy by offering advanced filters and search options. You can filter based on location, availability of the doctor, specializations, symptoms, insurance policy, languages they speak, and even their gender. Further, you can read their details from the unique profiles that contain qualifications, awards, affiliations, areas of specialization, experience, licenses, etc.
Further, verified patient reviews and ratings will help you choose the best pediatrician near you. You can also browse frequently answered questions to clear any doubts further. Once you are sure, you can book an appointment based on the doctor's availability.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on pediatricians in Pleasanton, California
As per the May 2022 data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 33,430 pediatricians are employed in the United States. Of these, about 160 medical professionals are specialists in the pediatric subfield. In California, there are nearly 3,130 pediatricians currently employed. California had the second-highest number of employed pediatricians across all states in the U.S.
Long-haul COVID is a new condition, and the research is ongoing. Research shows that around 15% to 30% of adults with COVID-19 have Long Covid symptoms. According to UC Davis Health, almost 6% of children in the emergency department with COVID-19 complained of long COVID-19 symptoms after 90 days.
Children with COVID-19 also reported persistent symptoms after three months. The study had 1,884 children with COVID-19; about 5% of children from the critical care facility and 10% of hospitalized children had Long Covid. Children with multiple COVID-10 symptoms were more likely to develop Long Covid.
Sources
Modern Pediatrics
HealthyChildren.org[1]
HealthyChildren.org[2]
HealthyChildren.org[3]
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
UC Davis Health
Long Covid Kids
Cleveland Clinic
NationwideChildren's
Parents
HealthyChildren.org[4]
UNICEF
