Pediatrics is the arm of medicine that deals with children’s health and wellbeing. It covers children’s illnesses and treatment and everything between birth and adolescence. The health of a child and its response to illness, drugs, and the environment is different from that of an adult, and that is why pediatrics is a specialized aspect of medicine in childcare.
The health of parents and their genetic makeup determines the health of a child right from when fertilization takes place in the womb. And the moment a child is born, certain important things emerge that must be catered to – breastfeeding, screening tests, and sleeping safety among others.
Do not also forget that a child must be taken for medical checkups and even vaccinations in the clinic; and after some time, the child grows to the point where he is introduced to solid food and trained on how to use the toilet and even clean his teeth. So a child’s development is continuous as he develops from a newborn to an infant to a toddler to a child and then a teen into youthfulness and adulthood.
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Children’s injuries and illness
Let it be pointed out that it is perfectly okay for even a healthy child to get sick. But it is best to know when a child is sick and to identify the signs and symptoms of common illnesses affecting children, so that this could be prevented or treated in time. Some common illnesses that affect a child are ear infections, tonsillitis or infection of the oral pharynx and tonsil, tooth decay, mumps and measles among others.
Sometimes a child may be born with birth defects such as a cleft lip that is immediately noticeable upon birth, and at other times certain birth defects such as heart malformations are not easily observation at a child’s birth. As a child grows, he may cut himself or suffer from burns, and others may even accidentally swallow dangerous objects or drown in a pool of water. And there have been cases where a child accidentally shoots another with a handgun.
It is worthy of note to state that children also suffer from mental illnesses as a child and as they grow into their teenage years. Children may be subjects of depressions, bipolar disorder, and even suicidal tendencies. Children could also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and anxiety disorders – sometimes as a result of sexual abuse, physical injury, and emotional disturbances.
You may also care to know that a child may suffer emotional and behavioural challenges as he develops into school age. This may be autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and other forms of learning disorders which make learning and concentration difficult. You must equally be aware that a child may experience sleeping difficulties, bedwetting, nightmares, tantrums, irrational fears, eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia among others.
Treating a child’s infection
Most children’s health concerns may be treated with over-the-counter medications and others could be treated with particular home remedies. However, if a child is suspected to suffer psychological or emotional problems, he is better taken off to see a child psychologist or licensed physician. And when a child has a childhood disease, it is better to visit a hospital and consult with a medical doctor who is a specialist pediatrician.