A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in caring for young people – infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The period covered by pediatrics ranges from birth to age 21 or a little older. Young persons growing into adulthood face unique physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges that sometimes require the expertise of a medical specialist. The goal of pediatrics is to accurately identify these challenges, and to protect or restore patient health with appropriate forms of care.

Pediatricians complete medical or osteopathic school and a pediatrics residency; some pursue additional subspecialty training. They are licensed to practice and often board certified, with many maintaining certification through ongoing education and assessment.

What Does a Pediatrician Do?

A pediatrician serves as a young person’s point of entry to the healthcare system. By specializing in the health and wellness of children and adolescents, pediatricians provide a wide range of services, including:

• Regular checkups
• Physical exams
• Vaccinations
• Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury
• Prescription medications
• Advice on childhood development
• Referrals to other specialists

Most pediatricians work in private-office settings, though some are located at clinics or in hospitals. Because pediatricians are primary care doctors for children, you may not need a referral, depending on your insurance plan.

What Types of Pediatricians Are There?

Pediatric Subspecialties

Some pediatricians pursue subspecialty training, including:

• General pediatrics: The foundational basis for pediatric practice.
• Adolescent medicine: A focus on diagnosing and treating medical conditions of persons ages 11 to 21.
• Child abuse pediatrics: A specialization in recognizing and caring for children who have been subject to abusive or neglectful behavior.
• Developmental-behavioral pediatrics: Expertise in addressing developmental issues, including learning disabilities and emotional disturbances.
• Neonatal-perinatal medicine: A focus on managing the medical risks faced by newborns and premature infants.
• Pediatric sports medicine: Prevention and treatment of injuries resulting from athletics and other forms of physical activity.
• Pediatric surgical specialists: Surgery for infants, children, and adolescents.

There are several other subspecialties that focus on particular organs or systems of the body. Included are pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology-oncology, infectious disease, nephrology, pulmonology, and rheumatology.

When Should You See a Pediatrician?

You should take your child to their pediatrician for wellness checkups and vaccinations according to the schedules developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. You should also see a pediatrician whenever your child experiences the symptoms associated with prominent childhood diseases, including:

• Bronchitis
• Chickenpox
• Colds and flu
• Ear infections
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease
• Head lice
• Pink eye
• Respiratory viruses
• Roseola
• Stomach bugs and other gastrointestinal illnesses
• Strep throat

In addition to these common disorders, pediatricians diagnose and treat less frequent but more potentially serious conditions, along with chronic and congenital health concerns.

What Can I Expect at My Visit to a Pediatrician?

Your child’s first appointment with a pediatrician will lay the foundation for future visits. This typically happens within three to five days after delivery. Your pediatrician will conduct a physical exam, record baseline health information like weight, length, and head circumference, and perform a developmental screening to measure the baby’s awareness of surroundings and responsiveness to stimuli. They may vaccinate your child for Hepatitis B, if this wasn’t done at birth. Your pediatrician will also provide you with guidance on feeding and sleep patterns, answer your health-related questions, and provide you with a schedule for future wellness checkups and vaccination appointments.

If your child is experiencing symptoms, or you have a family medical history that concerns you, the Baptist Health Pediatrics team is here to help. For more information, use our online provider directory.

Pediatrician FAQs

How do I choose a pediatrician for my baby?

Because your first visit to a pediatrician will happen within days of giving birth, you should identify the person that you’d like to see several months before your expected delivery date. Ask a trusted friend or relative for recommendations. Depending on where you live, you might also try the American Academy of Pediatrics online Find a Pediatrician tool or the Baptist Health Find a Provider tool.

At what age should my child first see a pediatrician?

The first visit to a pediatrician should occur within three to five days of giving birth. Subsequent visits should take place at one, two, four, six, nine, and 12 months during the first year and less frequently thereafter.

Can a pediatrician diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Yes. Because pediatricians are typically the primary doctor for children, they will often be the first to document the symptoms that are associated with ADHD. Pediatricians use the guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics for identifying ADHD and then develop a treatment plan or refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.