Ali Seçkin Yalçin

Pediatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. It is a specialty focused on the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Pediatric health professionals are medical doctors who have received specialized training in diagnosing and treating medical conditions and illnesses in children. They work with families to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease, and they are often the first point of contact for parents when their child is sick or injured. Pediatrics is a broad field that covers many different areas of medicine, including growth and development, infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and behavioral and mental health issues.

Pediatricians provide a wide range of services, including preventive care, such as immunizations and well-child visits; diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions that come with infancy; and management of chronic health problems, such as asthma and diabetes. General pediatric professionals are often involved in research while working in public health organizations.

Pediatric diseases include metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, genetic disorders and more. You can read the rest of the article to learn about pediatric diseases, diagnosis and treatment methods.

 

What are Pediatric Subspecialties?

Pediatrics is a medical specialty that focuses on the care of infants, children, and adolescents. Within the field of pediatrics, there are several subspecialties that address specific health issues or conditions affecting young patients. Some of the most common pediatric subspecialties include:

• Pediatric cardiology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart and cardiovascular conditions in children, including congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease.
• Pediatric gastroenterology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders in children, including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and liver disease.
• Pediatric neurology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the brain and nervous system in children, including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
• Pediatric endocrinology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal imbalances and endocrine disorders in children, including diabetes, growth disorders, and thyroid disorders.
• Pediatric pulmonology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions in children, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.
• Pediatric oncology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children, including leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphoma.
• Pediatric nephrology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney and urinary tract conditions in children, including chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, and urinary tract infections.
• Pediatric rheumatology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic conditions in children, including juvenile arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis.

These pediatric subspecialties work closely with general pediatricians to provide specialized care to children with complex or chronic health issues. Together, they help to promote the health and well-being of young patients and support their growth and development.

 

What are the Diagnostic Methods of the Pediatric Department?

The pediatric department uses a variety of diagnostic methods to identify and diagnose medical conditions in children. Some common diagnostic methods include:

1. Physical examination: A physical examination is a routine part of a pediatric appointment. During the examination, the doctor will check the child's growth, development, and overall health.
2. Laboratory tests: Blood tests, urine tests, and other laboratory tests can provide valuable information about a child's health, including the presence of infections, allergies, or diseases.
3. Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, provide pictures of the inside of the body and can help diagnose a range of conditions, including injuries, tumors, and structural abnormalities.
4. Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It can help diagnose heart problems and arrhythmias.
5. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): PFTs are used to assess how well a child's lungs are functioning and can help diagnose respiratory problems, such as asthma.
6. Endoscopy: Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of the body. It can be used to diagnose conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
7. Genetic testing: Genetic testing can help diagnose inherited disorders or conditions caused by genetic mutations.

These are some of the most common diagnostic methods used in the pediatric department. The specific diagnostic tests that are recommended for a child will depend on their individual needs and the symptoms they are experiencing.

 

What Diseases Does Pediatrics Treat?

Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, including:

1. Infectious diseases: Pediatricians diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses such as the flu, colds, ear infections, and strep throat.
2. Chronic conditions: Asthma, diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other ongoing medical issues.
3. Developmental issues: Pediatricians assess and monitor children's physical, intellectual, and emotional development, and provide interventions for developmental delays.
4. Behavioral and mental health issues: Anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, and other behavioral and mental health problems in children.
5. Injuries: Fractures, lacerations, burns, and other types of injuries.
6. Genetic conditions: Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and other genetic conditions.
7. Nutrition: Pediatricians help families ensure that children are receiving adequate nutrition and growing and developing properly.
8. Neurological conditions: Epilepsy, migraine headaches, and other neurological conditions.
9. Respiratory conditions: Bronchiolitis, croup, and other respiratory illnesses.
10. Gastrointestinal conditions: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, and other digestive problems.
11. Metabolic conditions: Pediatric metabolic conditions are conditions that affect the way the body processes nutrients and energy. While digestion is only the entry point of providing energy to the body, metabolic disorders can have a wide range of symptoms and affect multiple organ systems.Some examples of pediatric metabolic conditions include diabetes and cystic fibrosis. These diseases may occur as a result of metabolic dysfunction.
12. Pediatric Puberty Disorders: There are many conditions and disorders that can affect puberty in children.They can affect both male puberty and female puberty. Some of the most common include Delayed puberty, growth hormone deficiency and turner syndrome

This list is not exhaustive, but gives an idea of the wide range of medical conditions that pediatricians are trained to treat.

 

What Are the  Pediatric Treatments Methods?

The treatments for pediatric patients vary depending on the specific medical condition and the age of the patient.Pediatricians provide a wide range of treatments to manage children's medical conditions. Some common Pediatric treatment examples include:

1. Medications: Children may be prescribed medication to manage symptoms, reduce pain, prevent infections, or control chronic conditions.
2. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a physical problem, such as a congenital defect or an injury.
3. Therapy: Children may receive physical, occupational, or speech therapy to help with developmental or physical issues.
4. Lifestyle changes: Children may be advised to make changes to their diet, physical activity, or sleep patterns to improve their health.
5. Vaccinations: Children are often vaccinated to protect against infectious diseases.
6. Radiotherapy: This is used to treat some types of cancer in children, such as leukemia and brain tumors.
7. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used to treat cancer in children, as well as some other conditions such as sickle cell anemia.

These are some of the most common treatments used in the pediatric department. The specific treatment plan for a child will depend on the child's individual needs and the severity of their condition.

 

Childcare for Every Ailment

Get the right experts to guide your child through any issue through the HealthTürkiye initiative. Health Türkiye is an active promoter and coordinator of the private and public sectors operating for medical tourism. Türkiye is the place to be for anyone seeking the best medical care across pediatric fields due to its child-centric specialty-backed approach for the medical tourist.