pediatrik

Pediatrik, or pediatrics, is a medical specialty dedicated to the health and development of infants, children, and adolescents from birth through the end of adolescence. It covers preventive care, growth and development monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses, chronic diseases, and management of complex conditions. Pediatrik care emphasizes family-centered approaches and safety, including immunizations, nutrition guidance, screening for developmental delays, mental health, and anticipatory guidance for parents and caregivers.

Practitioners, pediatricians, complete medical training after medical school with residency in pediatrics and may pursue subspecialty fellowships. They work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, and subspecialty units, coordinating care across settings and collaborating with families and other health professionals.

Subspecialties include neonatology (care of newborns), pediatric cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, rheumatology, infectious disease, hematology, critical care, and adolescent medicine. Developmental pediatrics focuses on growth and learning, while adolescent medicine addresses health issues in teenagers and young adults.

Public health aspects of pediatrics include vaccination programs, nutrition and obesity prevention, growth monitoring, injury prevention, and screening for vision, hearing, and other conditions. Pediatric care often involves advocacy for child health equity and access to care, particularly in low-resource settings.

Ethical considerations include consent/assent for minors, assent from older children, confidentiality in adolescence, and participation in pediatric clinical research under safeguards and parental consent.