Specialty3 min read
Pediatrics
A pediatrician practises the specialty concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood, covering prevention, detection and management of their problems.
According to AMA FREIDA: paediatricians are concerned with the prevention, detection and management of physical, behavioural, developmental and social problems affecting children, diagnose and treat infections, injuries and organic diseases, detect growth and behaviour problems, advocate for the health and safety of the child, and collaborate with subspecialists in complex conditions.
MedlinePlus (in its article on types of health care providers) did not define paediatrics, so this page relied on the professional description from FREIDA (Grade 4). On this site, the pages on pneumonia in children (WHO), anaemia (affecting 40% of children under 5 years worldwide according to WHO 2019) and cystic fibrosis (newborn screening) are linked to it. The AAFP also describes family medicine as care for all ages.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- The specialty of children's health from birth to the beginning of adulthood.
- Who is usually affected?
- Infants, children and adolescents.
- Acute or chronic?
- Regular growth follow-up and treatment during illness.
- Main symptoms
- Fever, cough, delayed growth (depending on the condition).
- Red flags?
- Yes: difficulty breathing, severe lethargy, a seizure or severe dehydration is an emergency.
- Preventable?
- Vaccinations, nutrition and follow-up according to the guidance of health bodies.
What is it?
"The medicine concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to the beginning of adulthood" (AMA FREIDA).
Their work includes preventing, detecting and managing physical, behavioural, developmental and social problems, diagnosing and treating infections, injuries and organic diseases, detecting growth and behaviour problems, advocating for the health and safety of the child, and collaborating with subspecialists in complex conditions.
Conditions it covers
Related pages on this site: pneumonia (the WHO page used relates to children), anaemia (40% of children aged 6 to 59 months worldwide in 2019 according to WHO), cystic fibrosis (often detected by newborn screening), and family medicine is connected to them (care for all ages according to the AAFP).
When to see one
Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). This page does not cover vaccination or growth schedules because they differ between countries; refer to your country's official schedule.
When do you need urgent help?
Call emergency services now 998
- Difficulty breathing, blue discolouration, severe lethargy, a seizure, or refusing to drink with signs of dehydration: seek emergency care for the child. (A general warning that is no substitute for assessment.)1
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Questions for your doctor
- Is my child's growth normal?
- What vaccinations are recommended in our country, and when?
- When do I need a subspecialist?
- What danger signs call for the emergency department?
References
- 1AMA FREIDA. Pediatrics — specialty description. freida.ama-assn.org/specialty/pediatricsEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2American Academy of Family Physicians. Family medicine: Primary care for all ages and stages. www.aafp.org/about/family-medicineEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 3WHO. Anaemia — Fact sheet. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemiaHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 4WHO. Pneumonia — Fact sheet. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumoniaHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-04
- 5NHLBI / NIH. Cystic Fibrosis — Diagnosis. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cystic-fibrosis/diagnosisHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 6MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
Change log
- — Page created.
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.