Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that specializes in the health and diseases of children. It is a medical specialty that focuses on patients from the moment of birth to adolescence, without there being a precise limit that determines the end of its validity.
For example: "My cousin wants to study pediatrics" , "I need to find a pediatric specialist who is willing to travel to the countryside to attend to the needs of children in the rural communities of the province" , "Pediatrics can bring great joy to their professionals, but also deep sadness .
Emergence of pediatrics
In ancient times, pediatrics did not exist as a medical discipline, but the health of children was the responsibility of their mothers and midwives. Since the Renaissance, children's diseases began to be considered a medical specialty and, only in the 19th century , pediatrics became a scientific branch.
France y Germany fueron los primeros países en desarrollar los conocimientos y servicios pediátricos modernos. Los hospitals infantiles no tardaron en esparcirse por Europe y USA, antes de extenderse hacia otras regiones del mundo.
Different branches
It is worth mentioning that there are various branches within pediatrics, such as pediatric dentistry, which is responsible for the study of conditions of the teeth , as well as the mouth from a stomatological point of view. Despite these distinctions, currently it is intended to unite them in pediatrics, making it the only destination for those seeking to care for the health of their children.
Hebiatry , on the other hand, is the branch specialized in adolescent diseases and the different psychological and social disorders that can affect health during puberty . It should be noted that, according to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
Influence of pediatrics on patients
It is interesting to note the importance of the influence that pediatricians exert on their patients, given that they are usually in full psychological development. For example, one of the most well-known physical disorders is obesity and, when it occurs in childhood, many parents decide to put their children in the hands of a professional. In this case, it is essential that the doctor does not suffer from the same problem, or that he is following a treatment to overcome it, since compliance with his instructions will lose strength if they are not supported by an adequate example.
On the other hand, pediatricians must choose their words very carefully ; Although a sense of humor can be very effective in most cases to lighten situations of a certain severity, not all children are prepared to understand a phrase with a double meaning and may take an innocent comment as an attack that leaves them feeling an indelible wound .
Childhood and adolescence are the most delicate stages of our growth; All the experiences that we collect during those years will be imprinted on our brain with such force that they will accompany us throughout our lives. For this reason, the role of pediatrics exceeds the limits of body care; They must help their patients answer the endless questions that overwhelm them, understand that they must accept their physical defects and seek well-being above aesthetics.
Finally, there are many stories of people who have overcome illnesses despite having received dire prognoses from their doctors in childhood, which is why it is advisable to contrast the opinions of different pediatricians, since physical and health health depends on their actions. mentality of children, as well as their future perspective.