Paediatrics is a branch of medicine specifically dedicated to the health of children, from birth through to the end of their adolescence. It deals with the diagnosis, analysis, treatment, and prevention of childhood illnesses, as well as vaccination and paediatric surgery. The aim is to assess the child’s clinical condition, ensure proper growth, and provide appropriate care when necessary. This field is therefore a key asset for children’s health.
What is paediatrics?
Paediatrics is slightly different from general medicine. This medical specialty is primarily dedicated to the health, development, and well-being of children from 0 to 18 years old.
Inside, several branches can be identified, including nutrition, growth, vaccination, puberty, sexuality, screening, and treatment of patients’ illnesses.
As a result, a paediatrician has a broader field of intervention. They must have in-depth knowledge across various medical specialties, such as cardiology, neurology, hepatology, and gastroenterology. They also monitor the physiological and mental development of children and adolescents.
Their goals aim to minimise childhood illness and mortality rates by ensuring proper nutrition and healthy growth.
This field is generally divided into three sub-specialties: general paediatrics, neonatal/perinatal medicine, and adolescent medicine.
The scope of adolescent medicine includes:
- issues specific to the developmental stage
- sexual health
- managing unhealthy weight (including obesity)
- prevention and treatment of substance abuse
- mental health issues
Paediatricians play an extremely important role in the health of babies, children, and adolescents. They find satisfaction in seeing their young patients in perfect health and developing well. They are the primary caregivers for young children, offering parents advice on nutrition, sleep, and hygiene.
A paediatrician is also responsible for monitoring vaccinations. It’s worth noting that vaccines protect children from serious infectious diseases that could harm their health or even result in fatal outcomes. Furthermore, this specialist doctor is tasked with identifying the early signs of certain conditions in newborns.
If a child exhibits symptoms of any illness, the paediatrician may order various tests to be carried out. This is followed by the appropriate treatment and, if necessary, paediatric surgery.
The paediatrician plays a key role in ensuring children’s good health. Just a few days after birth, a newborn must attend a consultation for certain examinations: weighing, measuring, sensory organ tests… All the information is recorded in a health booklet so that the specialist doctor can easily monitor it.
Regular check-ups are also required until the age of 6. This helps track the child’s growth, physical development, and psychomotor skills. The paediatrician also ensures that necessary vaccinations are up to date. Over time, they adapt preventive measures and provide appropriate care for childhood illnesses.
Parents should also consult a paediatrician if their children show signs of genetic disorders, learning difficulties, or developmental issues. The same applies to various common conditions in young children, such as seizures, allergies, meningitis, inflammatory diseases, and injuries.
At our Mediterranean clinic, our teams of paediatric doctors manage the following conditions:
Neonatology: Neonatology is the medical specialty that deals with newborns. It includes the diagnosis, treatment, and care of newborns before, during, and after birth. Neonatologists are trained to care for high-risk babies who may require specialised care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We handle interventions such as tube feeding, respiratory support, life support, and more.
Infectious diseases: Paediatric infectious diseases are a group of conditions that affect children and adolescents. The most common types include respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These occur when someone comes into contact with an infectious agent such as bacteria or viruses, which spread through the air or touch. We manage various types of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis.
Metabolic disorders: Paediatric metabolic disorders encompass a diverse group of conditions that affect how your child’s body breaks down food. These illnesses can lead to malnutrition, growth problems, and difficulties in maintaining normal body functions. The most common paediatric metabolic disorders include:
- Glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD1a), which affects liver function and causes hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels).
- Mitochondrial diseases, which impact energy production in cells and can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue.
- Galactosaemia, a disorder of the liver’s ability to produce lactase, which is necessary for digesting milk sugar.
- Adolescent medicine: Managing conditions such as depression, substance abuse, vaccinations, and more.
