Who is a Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a term which generally includes 3 types of doctors:
- Primary care pediatricians
- Pediatric medical subspecialists
- Pediatric surgical specialists
However, a pediatrician is not limited only to the above mentioned 3 types as the field is evolving and so is the types of doctors in pediatrics. They are the experts who can understand the new normal for the infants along their growth cycle. Since the patients in pediatric segment of medication are generally neonatal/infants or children below the age of 7 years, the doctors need to completely understand the needs and decide upon the dosage of medicines. The required dosages of the pharmaceutical products for treatment keeps on changing as per the age and the stage of development.
What does a pediatrician do?
1. Physical examination of Neonatal/Infants, children below the age of 7
2. Track growth, behavior, and skill development as per age band
3. Give Pediatric vaccinations
4. Diagnose illnesses, infections, injuries, and other health problems
5. Inform parents about their children health and nutrition
What is Pediatric Medicine?
As discussed above, the body of a neonate/infant is not only small physically, when compared to adults but also a lot different in terms of physiology therefore the medicine in pediatrics is specially designed for infants/children. Pediatric medicine is a combination of pediatric and emergency medicine. Kids medicine products are manufactured under strict quality controls as the kids are extremely sensitive to medicines as they are yet to develop a fully functioning defense mechanism.
How is pediatric medicine different from normal medicine for adults?
Pediatric range of medicines also known as baby products differ from the normal medicine as the neonate/infant cannot swallow the medicine and must be either injected or given in a liquid/drops solution form.
It must be pass through extra quality checks so as to be safe for children as that stage, the patients are highly reactive to harmful medicines/substances.
Unique Features for pediatric medicines
Since the medicine cannot be swallowed by the pediatric patients special needs to be taken care while giving them injectables or oral medication like drops syrups or suspensions.
1. Palatability
It is one of the most important factors because if the taste of the medicine is not good, the patients i.e. infants/babies/children will not be very receptive to take the medicines.
2. Stability
Stability of baby products being given to the infants is very important so that the given dose of medicine has as positive impact.
3. Efficacy
The medicines need to deliver the best possible results as per the dosage to have the positive desired impacts. This is very important for the health of the pediatric patients.
4. Attractive Packings
The packaging of the medicine should be such so that the neonate is attracted towards the product and not shies away from medicine.