Paediatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

A medical doctor who specialises in paediatrics is known as a paediatrician. The field is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of children, addressing their unique healthcare needs, and monitoring their growth and development.

Key aspects

  • Primary Healthcare - Paediatricians provide primary healthcare for children, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, and monitoring of growth and development.
  • Preventive medicine - Paediatricians emphasise preventive medicine, working to ensure that children receive vaccinations and screenings to detect and prevent potential health issues.
  • Diagnosis and treatment - Paediatricians diagnose and treat a wide range of childhood illnesses, infections, and medical conditions. 
  • Developmental milestones - Paediatricians monitor and assess developmental milestones in areas such as motor skills, language development, and social skills.
  • Nutritional guidance - Paediatricians offer guidance on nutrition and dietary needs tailored to the specific requirements of growing children.
  • Adolescent medicine - as children transition into adolescence, paediatricians address the unique healthcare needs and challenges that arise during this period of physical and emotional development. This includes issues related to puberty, mental health, and lifestyle choices.
  • Collaboration with specialists - in cases where children have complex or specialised medical conditions, paediatricians may collaborate with paediatric subspecialists, such as paediatric cardiologists, paediatric neurologists, or paediatric surgeons, to provide comprehensive care.

Training in Paediatrics

Paediatrics specialties are not currently advertised on this site, but they are also recruiting. You will find their details below.

Paediatrics

Page last reviewed: 24 May 2024
Next review due: 24 May 2025