Pediatric and adolescent medicine

Importance of pediatric and adolescent medicine

Pediatrics, also known as child and adolescent medicine, is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the healthcare needs of children and adolescents. This field of medicine deals with both the physical and emotional needs of children.

A key principle of pediatrics is that children are not simply small adults. This realization led to the separation of pediatrics from internal medicine as early as the late 19th century. In this way, the unique needs of children were given special consideration, significantly improving the medical care provided to this specific patient group.

In addition to precise knowledge of physical characteristics, the treatment of children also requires a great deal of empathy when dealing with both children and parents. Pediatrics therefore serves as an equivalent to general practice but specifically for younger patients.

What makes an experienced specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine? 

Pediatricians are often the most important contact for parents and children when medical concerns arise. Families are typically under their care for many years, allowing for a close, trusting relationship to develop. In many cases, pediatricians manage a broad range of issues and coordinate any necessary referrals to specialists in other medical fields.

To become a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine, doctors must complete a five-year residency program after finishing medical school. During this time, they gain comprehensive experience in areas such as outpatient care, intensive care for children and adolescents, as well as rotations in child psychiatry or pediatric surgery.

Further specialized training is required for certain fields that demand additional expertise. This advanced training, which takes another three years, allows pediatricians to focus on areas like neonatology (care for premature and newborn babies), pediatric cardiology (heart conditions in children), pediatric oncology (childhood cancers), or neuropediatrics (neurological disorders in children).

These advanced qualifications ensure that children and adolescents with complex medical conditions receive expert care from highly trained pediatric specialists.

What services do clinics & doctors specializing in pediatrics and adolescent medicine offer?

Alongside the diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses, the range of services offered by pediatrics also includes many preventative services. Age-appropriate development of the child is assessed in so-called U-examinations. These include thorough tests in the areas of organ development, vision, hearing and speech, motor skills and social interaction skills. If any abnormalities are found, suitable measures can be taken in consultation with the parents.

Furthermore, the pediatrician will usually also provide advice on the vaccinations that are recommended by the Robert Koch Institute and, if parents wish, the vaccinations will be administered. Even during adolescence, the pediatrician is an important point of contact. The adolescent health check-up (J1), for example, serves to detect possible illnesses at an early stage and to check the adolescent's mental and educational development.

The role of parents in pediatric and adolescent medicine

A key responsibility of pediatricians is communicating with parents, which requires a great deal of empathy and a trusting relationship. Parents also serve as an essential link between children and doctors.

As children often struggle to explain their symptoms clearly, parents play a vital role in providing important medical history. Involving parents in treatment decisions is not only necessary, but it also tends to improve how the illness progresses.

Nevertheless, efforts should be made to involve children in the process as well. The child’s own description of symptoms can often provide valuable insights that complement the information provided by the parents. Additionally, it is important to give children an age-appropriate understanding of their condition, especially in the case of chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus.

When and why should I have my child treated by an experienced specialist?

Every child should ideally be under the care of a pediatrician. This is particularly important in cases of chronic or serious illnesses.

An experienced pediatrician should carry out appropriate diagnostics for any complaints. However, the precise diagnosis and understanding of children's complaints is often difficult and therefore requires a certain amount of experience. A competent pediatrician can recognize the symptoms, assign them to a clinical picture and consult other specialists if necessary.

If a condition requires more in-depth diagnostics or treatment, it is essential to consult a pediatrician with the relevant specialization. These specialists are equipped to manage rare or highly complex illnesses. In many cases, this requires close collaboration with various medical specialists.

Where can I find a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine in Germany?

Children and adolescents should always be given special protection, with their health being a top priority. For this reason, we have made it our mission to connect children and their parents with highly qualified pediatricians.

All the doctors listed here have been carefully reviewed by us for their professional expertise and experience. They are specialists in their respective fields and provide medical care of the highest standard, based on the latest scientific research. See for yourself the expertise of our doctors and schedule a personal consultation easily and problem free.