Paediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents up to the age of 18. A paediatrician is a child's physician who provides not only medical care to children who are acutely or chronically ill but also provide preventive health services for healthy children. A paediatrician manages physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children under their care at every stage of development, in both sickness and health.

Paediatricians diagnose and treat several conditions among children including

• injuries
• infections
• genetic and congenital conditions
• cancers
• organ diseases and dysfunctions
• Fevers
• Cold& flu
• Diarrhoea and Vomiting (Gastroenteritis)
• uPoisonings

Paediatrics is concerned not only about immediate management of the ill child but also long term effects on quality of life, disability and survival. Paediatricians are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of problems including: -

• developmental delays and disorders
• behavioural problems
• functional disabilities
• social stress
• mental disorders including depression and anxiety disorders

General paediatrics is a multifaceted primary care specialty. The general paediatrician's responsibilities include

• Management of serious and life-threatening illnesses
• Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disorders
• Monitoring physical and psychosocial growth and development
• Age-appropriate screening
• Health supervision (health promotion and disease prevention activities to enable each child to reach full potential)
• Anticipatory guidance (advice and education for patients and parents regarding appropriate preparation for predictable developmental challenges)
• Referral of more complex conditions as needed
• Consultative partnerships with other healthcare providers, such as family physicians, nurses and surgeons
• Community-based activities in sports medicine, school health, and public health.