Why choose a Pediatrician?

Kids are not just little adults. Kids’ bodies and minds continue to grow and develop, and as a result, work differently.  We, pediatricians, should keep in mind these differences when taking care of kids. Have you ever thought about a newborn coming to this unknown world and studying it day by day? Have you ever imagined the enormous work that has been done by every child from the first day of life to the first day of school? Do you know that baby’s birth weight quadruples by 2 years of age and that most children will double their birth height by 3-4 years of age? (Do the math, quadruple your weight, double your height, and see the number.)

Children and adults have significantly different patterns of illness, injury, and stress responses. For example, the brain and the immune system develop extensively during early childhood; environmental exposures may harm these immature systems as well as behavioral, cognitive, and emotional development.

Just another example: by the time a baby is born she will have l00 billion brain cells, but these cells aren't yet connected in circuits the way they will be as the brain matures. In the first few years of life the brain rapidly forms connections between brain cells, and ultimately a single cell can connect with as many as 15,000 other cells. This period is called “Windows of opportunity”. It is a sensitive period in a child’s life and we should not miss it.

A further major difference between pediatrics and adult medicine is that children are minors and cannot make decisions for themselves. The issues of privacy, guardianship, and legal responsibility must be addressed at each visit. Pediatricians often have to communicate with the whole family, rather than just the child. However, adolescents are in their own legal class, having rights to their own health care decisions in certain circumstances.

As a matter of fact, pediatricians take care of all the children's needs from medical to emotional problems, providing support when you are looking for it and helping you overcome diseases when they happen. Growing healthy together is our goal.