Genetic Disorders

• A doctor who specializes in working with children can more easily detect genetic disorders that show up during childhood. Not all genetic disorders are obvious, and the tests for them are not routine. For instance, cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder that often begins simply with a parent reporting that a child's skin or sweat is especially salty. This develops into coughing and wheezing, which a parent could misinterpret as a cold. However, early intervention is essential with this illness.
  
  

Child Growth Abnormalities

• A pediatrician is trained to monitor child growth and intervene when unhealthy patterns begin to emerge. Pediatricians are also on the lookout for behavioral difficulties, developmental delays and other indications that a child is not developing a healthy body and mind. For instance, a child who doesn't hold his head up when lying on his stomach by the age of three months may be exhibiting early signs of a developmental disorder; a doctor who does not specialize in providing care for infants may not recognize this.
  
  

Chronic Conditions in Children

• Parents must manage some conditions in children, such as earaches and asthma, throughout childhood; such conditions can disappear as the child gets older. These conditions require frequent visits to a doctor, and sometimes require care that takes into account the developmental stage of the child. A pediatrician encounters many children each year who suffer from these conditions and will be well-versed in the right treatments.
  
  

Offices Designed for Children

• When a child visits a doctor's office, this experience can be frightening and intimidating. In a pediatrician's office, a child visiting the doctor will see other children and will probably find toys, books and decor that make her feel more at ease. These positive feelings will make doctor's visits more pleasant for both parents and children.
  
  

Immunization Schedules

• Many vaccines require three or four doses to be as effective as possible, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that vaccines be given early in life to provide protection to young children: it recommends 25 shots for the first 15 months of a child's life. Pediatricians are familiar with the complex schedule recommended for vaccine administration, and are familiar with keeping track of a child's immunization record.