Paediatrics

What is paediatrics?

Paediatrics is the speciality that treats children from birth to adolescence. Its area of expertise is oriented towards the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases and medical conditions affecting children during their development.

Paediatricians are highly trained medical professionals with specific knowledge about the normal growth and development of children, as well as the most common and complex paediatric conditions. Their work extends beyond medical treatment to include guidance to parents and caregivers on issues related to parenting, nutrition, immunisation and the emotional development of children.

What does paediatrics study?

Our paediatrics units study the natural development of children and deal with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases. There are several subspecialties within paediatrics that allow physicians to specialise in specific medical areas related to the paediatric population. Some of these specialities include:

• General paediatrics: focuses on well-child check-ups, health education and monitoring of the vaccination schedule. It also treats minor pathologies that do not require specialisation.
• Neonatology: focuses on the medical care of newborns born prematurely or with severe medical problems in the first 4 weeks of life. Neonatologists work in multidisciplinary teams in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) where they work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as specialised nurses, paediatric surgeons and other specialists, to provide high-quality, holistic care for newborns and their families.

This area is also responsible for Perinatal Counselling, where, as part of a multidisciplinary team together with obstetricians and other specialists, doctors make a perinatal Diagnosis of diseases in the unborn foetus using techniques such as foetal magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution ultrasound.

• Paediatric intensive care: this branch of medicine focuses on the advanced and specialised care of children and adolescents with serious diseases or those in critical condition.
• Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics: Focuses on the diagnosis and management of developmental and behavioural disorders, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It is important to note that every medical speciality that treats adults, has its equivalent for children. For example, there are branches such as neuropaediatrics, which deals with child neurological disorders; paediatric dermatology, which focuses on childhood skin conditions; paediatric nephrology, which deals with kidney problems in children; as well as paediatric psychology, which deals with children’s mental health. In addition, other specialties such as rheumatology, cardiology, ophthalmology and endocrinology also have their specific paediatric healthcare equivalents.

Which patients is it for?

Paediatrics is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary specialty that focuses on the medical care and holistic development of children and adolescents. In addition to addressing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases specific to this stage of life, paediatrics also benefits from collaboration with various other medical disciplines and healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive and holistic care for young patients.

Techniques, procedures and diagnostic methods

In paediatrics, we use diagnostic methods to assess the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. These tools are essential to identify medical conditions, monitor development and ensure an accurate approach to paediatric healthcare. Some of the most common diagnostic methods include:

• Medical History and Physical Examination: Getting a detailed medical history and performing a thorough physical examination are the starting point in any paediatric diagnosis. Paediatricians ask about symptoms, family and personal history, and lifestyle habits to get a full picture of the patient’s situation.
• Laboratory tests Blood and urine tests, as well as other biological fluid analyses provide valuable information on organ function, nutrient levels, inflammatory markers and more. These tests may include complete blood counts, biochemical profiles, and liver and kidney function tests.
• Imaging tests: Techniques such as radiography, ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow visualisation of internal body structures to detect abnormalities, injuries or developmental problems.
• Echocardiography: Echocardiography: A type of ultrasound that focuses on the heart, allowing evaluation of cardiac function and anatomy for congenital defects or other conditions.

Procedures ranging from vaccinations to common ER procedures such as stitches, oxygen therapy and bladder catheterisation are also performed in paediatrics.