Child Health and Diseases (Pediatrics)

Child Health and Diseases (Pediatrics)

Pediatrics, or child health and diseases, is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of individuals from birth to adolescence. In the period from birth to 18 years of age, many issues such as regular vaccination follow-up, mental, physical and motor development as well as congenital diseases for children are followed by pediatricians. In routine examinations, in addition to physical development such as growth, weight gain and nutrition, areas such as daily living skills, language development, neurological and psychological development are also examined. While the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in infants with underdeveloped communication skills can be challenging, examinations of individuals in childhood are carried out taking into account their psychological state. After 6 years of medical education, pediatricians spend 4 years specializing in pediatrics. There are many sub-branches in the pediatrics department and physicians who specialize in these branches receive additional training. 

Pediatrics Departments:

Neonatology (Newborn Care and Treatment): Focuses on the health problems of newborn babies. Issues such as premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory problems fall within the specialty of neonatology. They work in neonatal intensive care units and take care of critically ill babies.

Pediatric Cardiology (Pediatric Heart Diseases): Focuses on diseases of the heart and circulatory system in children. Conditions such as congenital heart anomalies and heart rhythm disorders are of interest to pediatric cardiologists. Echocardiography and other imaging techniques are frequently used in diagnosis and treatment.

Pediatric Neurology (Child Nervous System Diseases): Examines diseases of the nervous system in children. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and migraine are the specialty of pediatric neurologists. These specialists diagnose and determine treatment strategies with tests such as electroencephalography (EEG).

Pediatric Gastroenterology (Pediatric Digestive System Diseases): Focuses on digestive system diseases in children. Conditions such as chronic constipation, reflux, inflammatory bowel diseases are of interest to pediatric gastroenterologists. They diagnose and treat with endoscopy and other imaging methods.

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases): Focuses on childhood cancers and blood diseases. Conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia are included in this field. They use treatment methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.

Pediatric Pulmonology (Child Respiratory System Diseases): Examines respiratory system diseases in children. Conditions such as asthma, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis are of interest to pediatric pulmonologists. They diagnose and treat with pulmonary function tests and imaging methods.

Pediatric Endocrinology (Child Hormonal Disorders): Focuses on hormonal disorders in children. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth disorders are within the specialty of pediatric endocrinologists. Hormone tests, imaging methods and hormonal therapy are frequently used in this field.