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Who is a pediatrician? What do they do?

Pediatricians are medical experts who focus on identifying and treating children. They monitor children's physical, emotional, and social growth as they evaluate their developmental phases. In addition to aiding parents or other caregivers in understanding and addressing their child's needs, pediatricians diagnose and treat complex diseases.

Pediatricians are responsible for several different tasks. They handle everything, from well-baby checks to managing chronic medical disorders. Pediatricians diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and infections while providing preventive care. They carry out the following tasks: 

• Examine health and wellness frequently (well-child visits).
• Perform physical examinations
• Keep track of your child's physical, emotional, and social growth.
• Diagnose and cure diseases, wounds, and other medical issues.
• Give vaccinations
• Prescribe medicine
• Guide parents on their children's health, nutrition, and exercise requirements.
• Answer inquiries concerning the maturation and development of a child.
• If a child is ill and requires care outside the scope of the pediatrician's training, they also consult and work with a specialist.

What is the education and training of pediatricians?

Pediatricians are responsible for many tasks, including routine well-child examinations and diagnosing and treating diseases, wounds, and other health issues. They also actively advocate for children's rights.

Pediatricians begin with a four-year undergraduate degree and study biology and chemistry as part of their pre-medical studies. They also take classes in anatomy and physiology while in medical school. Thus, pediatricians can also perform general medicine. After completing medical school, they pursue a pediatrics-related specialty. Additionally, they take part in clinical rotations to learn about all facets of medicine.

During their clinical rotations, many pediatricians choose their areas of specialization. Afterward, they enroll in a three-year residency program in the same specialty for more training. After they finish the program, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) conducts a written exam for practice licensure. Subspecialized pediatricians enroll in fellowship programs that require two to six years of education. Board-certified pediatricians can further go for a fellowship program in their field and get recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What are the different types of pediatricians?

Pediatricians work as primary care physicians catering to the everyday healthcare needs of children. However, your child may have to see a pediatric specialist in situations requiring expert intervention. There are various types of pediatric specialists, including: 

• Adolescent medicine specialists: Pediatricians specializing in this specialty treat the physical and emotional issues of adolescents and young adults between 11 and 21 years of age.
• Child abuse pediatrics specialists: These specialists diagnose, treat, and support children who may be victims of abuse, including neglect, physical or mental injury, and sexual assault. 
• Developmental and behavioral pediatrics specialists: Doctors from this specialty evaluate, diagnose, and treat development and behavior problems in children.  
• Neonatal-perinatal medicine specialists: These providers care for premature newborns, sick infants, and mothers with high-risk pregnancies
• Pediatric cardiologists: Pediatric cardiologists prevent, diagnose, and treat heart conditions in children, including congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. 
• Pediatric critical care medicine specialists: They care for children suffering from a necessary condition or injury. 
• Pediatric emergency medicine specialists: These experts help children and adolescents with acute illnesses or injuries. 
• Pediatric endocrinologists: They diagnose, treat, and manage endocrine disorders in children, teenagers, and young adults. Some include childhood obesity, diabetes, growth disorders, and puberty disorders. 
• Pediatric gastroenterologists: These specialists assess and treat disorders affecting children's digestive systems, including lactose intolerance, food allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic constipation. 
• Pediatric hematologist-oncologists: They deal with children experiencing various blood disorders and cancers. 
• Pediatric hospital medicine specialists: These providers care for hospitalized children in pediatric wards, labor and delivery rooms, the emergency department, the newborn nursery, the neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and pediatric intensive care units (PICU).
• Pediatric infectious diseases specialists: They diagnose, treat, and prevent communicable diseases in children caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. These include malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea, HIV, and pneumonia. 
• Pediatric nephrologist: Pediatric nephrologists address kidney diseases in children. 
• Pediatric pulmonologist: These specialists diagnose and treat breathing problems in children, such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis. 
• Pediatric rheumatologists: They deal with pediatric patients experiencing musculoskeletal disorders and autoimmune diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and more. 
• Pediatric sports medicine specialists: They focus on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of sports or exercise-related injuries among children and teens. 

What are some common pediatric diseases?

Medical conditions that affect children are known as pediatric diseases. Pediatric or childhood diseases may include mild diseases, infections, or long-term disorders. Children under 5 are more susceptible to infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, mumps, HIV, and diarrhea. Be vigilant and visit a pediatrician near you if you notice symptoms indicating infection or other non-communicable diseases. 

The following are some common childhood illnesses. Please note that many diseases may have common symptoms, and the only way to ascertain the right cause would be through your pediatrician's diagnosis.

• Pneumonia: Pneumonia leads to inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. Symptoms associated with this infection include phlegm-producing cough, chills, fever, and breathing difficulties. Undernutrition, a lack of clean water and proper sanitation, indoor air pollution, and poor access to healthcare are all connected to pneumonia.
• Common cold: Colds occur due to viruses. However, a cold can often be a symptom of another underlying disease. Many young children, especially those in daycare, can contract six to eight colds yearly since they may have been exposed to various pathogens. Common cold symptoms include cough, runny nose, and congestion.
• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is another common disease among children, especially those under five. It can occur due to diet changes, food allergies, or viruses. Children are more susceptible to digestive problems due to their weaker immune systems. 
• Ear infections: Some of the most typical childhood illnesses include ear infections due to bacterial or viral infections. The symptoms include earache, tugging at an ear, fever, and trouble sleeping.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease: Although highly contagious, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD) is typically not very serious. According to the CDC, it most frequently affects newborns and kids under five. Skin rash, fever, oral sores, and flu-like symptoms are among the symptoms.

Different explanations can exist for why your child may be experiencing specific symptoms that need to be clarified with your pediatrician, particularly if your child has a persistent medical problem or allergy. It is better to discuss any adjustments in treatment with the pediatrician near you.

What role do pediatricians play during pregnancy?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), expectant parents should see a pediatrician during the third trimester of pregnancy as a crucial initial step in creating a conducive medical environment and a relationship of trust for their child. Pediatricians are particularly helpful for new parents who are struggling, expecting more than one child, or are in the adoption process.

Pediatricians gather vital information from expectant parents, educate and advise them, and look for conditions of high risk that require specialist treatment throughout pregnancy. As a new parent, talking about immunizations, safety, nutrition, and postpartum health may seem like a daunting subject to take on. However, pediatricians can assist in taking small steps toward ensuring proper care for the newborn. Additionally, they can discuss safety concerns, including car seats, CO monitors, and smoke detectors.

What questions should you ask a pediatrician near you?

Becoming first-time parents can be overwhelming and challenging. You may have many queries regarding your baby's diet, sleep, development, and well-being. Bringing them up with your baby's pediatrician during their wellness checkups is a good idea. Jot down the below list of the most common questions you can ask them: 

• What is the correct way to burp my baby?
• How can I get a good breastfeeding latch?
• How often should I breastfeed my baby? 
• How many hours a day of sleep is good for my baby?
• How to prevent sudden infant death syndrome? 
• How many times should my baby poop?
• Is it usual for my baby to poop immediately after feeding?
• What are the signs of constipation?
• Should I bathe my baby every day?
• When should my baby start responding to sounds?
• When should my baby begin smiling?
• When should my baby start tummy time?
• How can I calm my baby when they cry?
• Should I massage my baby? What's the right way?
• How should I spend time with my baby?
• What are some common warning signs that my baby is unwell? 

What are the main differences between a pediatrician and a neonatologist?

A pediatrician is a medical doctor, similar to your family doctor. They attend medical school, study science, complete a second university degree in medicine, undergo a residency program, and become fully trained to specialize in children's healthcare. Neonatology is a subspecialty within pediatrics that focuses on the care of newborns. A pediatrician specializing in neonatology spends an additional three years training. This includes hands-on practice to develop expertise in caring for newborns. Depending on the country, they may also need additional medical boards or association certifications.

As neonatologists complete their specialized training, they often continue working at a pediatric clinic or hospital. This allows them to continue practicing pediatric medicine while acquiring more knowledge and skills specific to newborn care.

A neonatologist is always a pediatrician, but not every pediatrician is a neonatologist. Expecting parents often prefer to consult with a neonatologist rather than a general pediatrician for the delivery of their baby.

The roles of a pediatrician and a neonatologist differ significantly. Pediatricians are general medical practitioners who care for children from birth through adolescence, treating issues like ear infections or broken bones. Neonatologists, on the other hand, primarily care for newborns up to one year of age. They treat newborn illnesses, manage premature births, and address specialized medical needs. Neonatalologists use much smaller tools than pediatricians, as they work with newborns much smaller than older children.

Many doctors treat general symptoms and conditions in the medical field, but specialists, like neonatologists, focus on specific care areas. Working with a neonatologist is highly beneficial for parents with premature or needing specialized attention babies. While a pediatrician remains essential for routine care, involving a neonatologist when required can make a significant difference in a baby's care.

How do you find the best pediatricians near you in Santa Ana, CA?

A pediatrician is essential to a child's natural growth. They can treat acute illnesses and offer preventive care services to ensure they are healthy. Additionally, pediatricians give time to parents and other caregivers and respond to their questions. They may, if necessary, direct you to another specialist.

Locating top-rated pediatricians can be challenging, especially because building a healthy relationship for long-term care is essential. Zocdoc makes your search easy by providing access to an extensive list of providers near you! Get onto our website and type in your search query based on location, symptoms, preferred appointment date, and insurance. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.

However, you can only search for and book appointments using one insurance plan at a time. If you have more than one plan, you can mention your secondary insurance carrier and plan in the notes section when completing the final step of the booking process.

If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can include your secondary insurance information when completing the online forms. For more insurance information, visit Zocdoc's insurance page. Based on your search criteria, Zocdoc's innovative algorithm will curate a list of the best pediatricians.

Each healthcare professional has a profile with information about their training, expertise, board certification, clinical interests, license, and languages spoken. You may also check the user ratings and reputable reviews to make an informed decision. Lastly, you can book a video visit or in-person appointment with the provider of your choice.

All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free! So, find the best pediatricians near you for your baby today! 

Pediatric health statistics for California

Pediatric obesity is the most common nutritional disorder affecting American children. According to an America's Health Rankings report, in California, around 34.8% of children aged 10-17 years were overweight or obese between 2020-2021. A part of Californian children's population also had asthma—about 5.3% of children aged 0-17 years had lung disease. 

Regarding the mental health status of children aged 3-17 years in the same time frame, about 4.3% were diagnosed with depression, nearly 7.3% suffered from anxiety, and approximately 1.3% had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. 

According to a 2017 report published by Orange County's Healthier Together community-wide initiative, Santa Ana has the highest teen birth rate at around 27.9 live births per 1,000 females aged 15-19. It is significantly higher than the California state average of nearly 15.1. Teen births can raise several health concerns for the mother and the child. Children born to teen mothers may be underweight or premature. Therefore, expecting mothers must regularly visit pediatricians to ensure a safe pregnancy and healthy birth. 

As per America's Health Rankings, around 74.5% of mothers received adequate prenatal care in California in 2020. About 68.7% of children aged 0-17 received one or more preventive visits between 2020 and 2021, of which around 84.8% were between the ages of 0 and 2, while about 66% were 3-17.

Sources

Cleveland Clinic

WebMD

Healthline

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Children's Hospital of Orange County

American Academy of Pediatrics[1]

American Academy of Pediatrics[2]

Banner Health

Wake Forest Pediatrics

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[3]

America’s Health Rankings[4]

America’s Health Rankings[5]

Enfamil

Verywell Health

Association of American Medical Colleges 

Mayo Clinic

HealthyChildren.org[1]

HealthyChildren.org[2]

UNICEF

University of Rochester Medical Center

Sommers Roth & Elmaleh

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.