Paediatrics
Paediatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of all types of health problems that affect young patients – from infants and children to adolescents. Since their bodies are smaller and go through different growth stages over time, their medical requirements also change significantly over time.
Other aspects also come into play; for example, providing medical care for a newborn also involves checking and managing congenital defects, while providing care for a toddler also involves identifying developmental concerns that could result in future health issues for the kid. Paediatrics also involves guiding, educating, and sometimes correcting parents on proper childcare.
Unusual symptoms that should be brought to the pediatrician’s attention include:
- A high fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Blood vomit, urine or stool
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusual skin rashes
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Seizures
- Cough
- Common cold
