Question 1

Who is a Paediatrician?

Accepted Answer

A paediatrician or a child specialist is a doctor who manages the health of your child. A paediatrician is trained to manage the physical, behavioural, and mental health of a child. A child specialist is trained to treat childhood illnesses, from minor health issues to serious health disorders. A child can be treated by a paediatrician right from birth.

Question 2

What is the age range of children which a Paediatrician can treat?

Accepted Answer

Paediatricians can treat a child right from birth. From birth till 2 years, there may be many visits to the paediatrician. From age 2 to 5 years, there will be once a year “well-child” visits. After the age of 5 years, paediatric visits will be done annually. Up to the age of 18 years, you can visit a paediatrician.

Question 3

Can a Paediatrician perform surgery?

Accepted Answer

Paediatricians are concerned with the physical and mental well being of children. Paediatric surgeons specialize in surgeries. A paediatrician can also perform surgeries with the necessary training. Paediatricians may only evaluate and treat children through non-invasive procedures. Paediatric surgeons perform minor surgeries like removal of foreign bodies to major surgeries like cardiac surgery.

Question 4

What does a paediatrician do?

Accepted Answer

A paediatrician is trained to perform procedures like: vaccine administration, treat dislocated shoulders or elbows, treat minor injuries, remove foreign bodies, split brown bones, perform circumcision. Apart from these specific procedures paediatricians also ensure well-being of the child through routine examinations. They also handle conditions that affect new born children.

Question 5

How is a Paediatrician different from a general physician?

Accepted Answer

Paediatricians and physicians are both doctors, but treat patients belonging to different age groups. Paediatricians specialize in treating patients aged 18 years and younger, while general physician treats patients above the age of 18 years. Paediatricians focus on providing medical care to infants, children and teenagers. Physicians may specialize in certain field of medicine.

Question 6

How does a Paediatrician track your child's growth?

Accepted Answer

A paediatrician tracks the child’s growth through growth milestones. A well-child check reviews the growth of the infant with the help of WHO growth charts. The growth chart is a guide that lists down the ideal height, weight, and head circumference measurements according to the age. A CDC growth chart helps track growth between 2-20 years of age.

Question 7

Does a Paediatrician provide vaccination plan?

Accepted Answer

The vaccination plan is usually prepared by a Government-based health organization. Paediatricians provide the vaccination plans to parents during their first visit. Health organizations provide vaccination plans from birth till teenage for immunization against various diseases. The paediatrician guides the parents about the purpose of vaccination and schedules visits so that the vaccination schedules are met.

Question 8

Should one visit a Paediatrician before child birth?

Accepted Answer

Pre-natal visits to the paediatrician are becoming a must nowadays. It is a great way to interview potential paediatricians and find the doctor that fits your family. Once you establish a comfort level with the doctor, it becomes easy to go for visits after the baby is born. Paediatric appointments after childbirth can be scheduled easily.

Question 9

When should one immediately reach out to a Paediatrician?

Accepted Answer

Any change in feeding habits or change in skin colour or breathing trouble or high temperature or incessant crying of an infant may require immediate visit to the paediatrician. In case of an older child, unintentional swallowing of harmful objects, objects stuck in nose or ear, injuries, high temperature or illness may require a visit to the paediatrician.

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Delhi

Pediatrician

Janakpuri

Dr. Sunil Kumar Mehendiratta

Dr. Sunil Kumar Mehendiratta

Pediatrician

Neonatologist

33 Years Experience Overall (31 years as specialist)