Paediatric

Paediatricians are doctors who manage medical conditions affecting infants, children and young people.

Paediatrics can be divided into 4 main areas:

• general paediatrics – a hospital role covering children from birth to the age of 16. Most paediatricians have this generalist role
• neonatology – this role specialises in looking after newly born babies. It is usually based in an intensive care unit looking after premature babies or those with problems at birth
• community paediatrics – these doctors are based in the community and look after children with developmental, social or behavioural problems and those with a physical disability
• paediatric cardiology – this is a small area which is a specialty in its own right. These doctors diagnose and treat children with cardiac (heart) conditions