A physician who specializes in treating children and their disorders from birth through adolescence. (If a newborn has special medical problems, such as being premature or of low birth weight, a specialist called a neonatologist may care for the baby during the first month of life, as in a neonatal intensive care unit.) Pediatricians advise on infant care, conduct well-baby examinations, give vaccinations, treat childhood disorders and diseases, and screen for any possible health problems, among them ear and hearing problems, eye and vision problems, developmental disorders, and nutrition problems. If specific health problems are found, the pediatrician will either treat them directly or refer the child to a specialist. If the child has long-term impairment, the pediatrician will assess the kind of activity the child is capable of handling and will recommend, for example, whether or not a child should spend a full day in the classroom.
A physician who specializes in pediatrics.