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
