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A pediatrician's role Screening and evaluating babies and children for appropriate growth and development, and assessing abnormalities and disabilities, if any. Vaccination of babies and children, and advice about specific disease prevention. Advice on feeding, diet, food supplements, and other nutrition concerns. Assessing illnesses and treating them, including admission to hospitalisation for serious diseases. Coordination of care for children receiving treatment from different specialists, and responsibility for the child's overall health. Health education for the family.

What is a Pediatrician?

A pediatrician is a doctor who understands babies and children. Well, as far as that is possible.

It's not easy, and requires a lot of training and experience. In India, the basic medical degree is MBBS, which requires four and a half years of study, training, and examinations, followed by a year of rotating housemanship called internship. Following this, the doctors who love children enough to devote their entire lives to them enter a pediatric residency program. This lasts a minimum of three gruelling years, and two tough exams, after which the chosen few will emerge with the letters M.D. (Pediatrics) after their names.

Some unscruplous persons add the name "Child Specialist" to their names without this, or sometimes any, qualification. Nothing can be said about the quality of care provided by these unqualified practitioners.

A pediatrician can be a vital part of your life. He can be a friend and guide as you embark on the difficult job of parenthood. Beyond the usual prescriptions and shots, your pediatrician should be giving you advice on your chld's nutrition, behaviour, upbringing, development, growth --- anything about children you want to know. Never feel any question or topic is "silly". No one knows everything about babies and children, and we welcome questions and suggestions as ways to teach, and learn from, our patients and their parents.

Last revision: September 30, 2006

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