lastenlääkärin

Lastenlääkäri, literally a pediatrician in Finnish, is a medical doctor who specializes in pediatrics, the branch of medicine focused on the health, growth, and development of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians provide preventive care, diagnose and treat acute illnesses, manage chronic conditions, and monitor development, nutrition, and safety. They often work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and public health settings, and collaborate with families, schools, and other health professionals to support child health.

In Finland, becoming a pediatrician (lastenlääkäri) requires completing a medical degree and then undertaking a pediatric specialty training program that lasts several years, followed by licensure and board certification recognized by national medical associations. Many pediatricians also pursue postgraduate subspecialty training in areas such as neonatology, pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases.

Daily practice typically includes routine check-ups at child health clinics (lastenneuvolat), administering immunizations according to national programs, screening growth and development, counseling on nutrition and behavior, and managing common illnesses. When specialized care is needed, a pediatrician refers patients to hospital specialists and coordinates multidisciplinary care. They also participate in public health initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns and school health activities, and provide guidance to families on safety, sleep, mental well-being, and overall health promotion.

The pediatrician’s role is central to both primary care and hospital-based pediatrics, serving as a continuous point of contact for children’s health across different stages of childhood and adolescence.