What Is A Pediatrician?

Pediatrics “is the specialty of medical science concerned with the physical, mental and social health of children from birth to young adulthood,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “Pediatric care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services, ranging from preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases,” the organization states.

There are several different types of pediatricians out there, from developmental pediatricians to pediatric hospitalists. The type of pediatrician every parent sees is called a general pediatrician, and they provide quite a bit of information and do a great deal of monitoring for both parents and kids, according to Nakiya Showell, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

“Visits with families involve addressing family concerns about their child’s physical, mental or emotional health and assessing or monitoring the child’s medical history over time,” she says. “A huge part of what we do is assessing development so families know what developmental milestones they can expect at certain ages and monitoring that progress during the visit.”

A newborn’s visit to the pediatrician starts at birth, adds Sara Siddiqui, M.D., a pediatrician at NYU Langone in New York. “We see babies at weekly and then monthly intervals at regularly scheduled visits to discuss and examine development,” she says. “Growth and development during the first three to five years is something we closely monitor.”

“Intervening early for any issues leads to a huge reduction in possible delays later,” she adds. “Pediatricians pride themselves on using data and analysis to reduce harm and prioritize health in children.”

Pediatricians provide a handful of important services, such as keeping an eye on growth and development and assessing and monitoring the child’s medical history over time.

But one very important service provided by pediatricians includes education around vaccines. “We are experts on vaccines, and we typically provide a lot of education around vaccines like the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines, which parents have a lot of questions about,” says Dr. Showell. “Childhood is the time period when you receive most of your vaccines, and pediatricians are trained to answer questions about them.”

Screening for certain medical conditions that may pop up during childhood is a big service provided as well, according to Dr. Showell. “Iron deficiency and lead poisoning are two examples,” she says.

Conditions like asthma, allergies, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, sore throats, bowel and bladder issues and more are screened for and monitored as well, adds Dr. Siddiqui. Discussing safety is an important role a pediatrician plays, too.

“Discussions of seatbelts, car seats, helmets, pool safety and childproofing are one of the many discussions pediatricians have with patients and families,” she says.

As a child gets older, pediatricians help monitor school and learning-related issues, according to Dr. Siddiqui, and as they enter their teen years, discussions around mental health and wellness, drugs, alcohol, safe decisions and more take place as well.

“As the adolescent transitions to adulthood, we become not only the doctor that they call, but also guidance for the parents during this time of transition,” she says.

If a general pediatrician notices any potential delays or a parent raises a concern, a child may see a developmental pediatrician.

“A developmental pediatrician, or developmental behavioral pediatrician, specializes in the diagnosis and management of developmental learning and behavioral problems among children, teens and young adults,” says Dr. Showell. “These can include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, general behavioral concerns, school issues and speech and language delay.”

Assessment is key during visits with a developmental pediatrician. “There are particular tools that developmental pediatricians use,” she adds. “There’s diagnosis, and management really depends on the child’s needs. Often families are given behavioral strategies that can be used at home, at school or in daycare,” she says, noting that, if necessary, they may prescribe certain medications.

It’s also the job of a developmental pediatrician to make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of the plan for the child, from the parents to the child’s general pediatrician, says Dr. Showell.

One of the best ways to find a pediatrician, according to both Dr. Showell and Dr. Siddiqui, is through word of mouth. “Parents are usually more than happy to share information about their pediatrician,” says Dr. Showell.

Another way to find a great pediatrician is through online portals like Zocdoc that take your insurance and hospital affiliations (for example, if your child is born at a specific hospital, they may be able to recommend pediatricians within their network).

One of Dr. Showell’s favorite resources is a website developed by the AAP. “This site is available in both English and Spanish, and it’s a wonderful online resource that provides trusted and vetted information developed by pediatricians,” she says. “Parents can go to this website and click on tips and tools, and there’s a ‘Find a Pediatrician’ link. There, you can insert your ZIP code, area of speciality and preferred language, and you can find pediatricians who are members of the AAP.”

When looking for a pediatrician, it’s important to find someone you trust and connect with  because they may be with your family through your child’s young adulthood.