What does paediatrics mean?
Paediatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on the health, development, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescents. Its remit ranges from routine preventive care and vaccinations to the investigation and management of serious illnesses. The word is used in hospitals, clinics, universities, research, and public-health discussions, often in expressions such as “paediatric medicine,” “paediatric care,” and “paediatric department.” Paediatrics is especially associated with British English, while American English generally uses the spelling pediatrics. The term is primarily formal and professional, though it is also familiar in everyday references to children's hospitals and doctors' work. Its name reflects its Greek origins: a combination of terms meaning child and physician. The speciality is distinctive because patients are not simply smaller adults; their physiological development, communication, diagnosis, and treatment needs vary with age.
nounThe branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses and conditions affecting children and adolescents.
- The branch of medicine concerned with the health and medical care of children and adolescents.
"She trained in paediatrics before working in a children's hospital."
"The hospital has a renowned department of paediatrics."
"Paediatrics is a demanding speciality, requiring doctors to treat a wide range of illnesses in patients of many ages."
Paediatrics is normally an uncountable singular noun referring to the medical speciality or field; a conventional plural is not used.
"She has worked in paediatrics for more than ten years."
Paediatrics literally means the medicine of children: its name joins the Greek words for child and physician.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paediatrics come from?
The word comes from Greek roots meaning child and physician, reflecting the ancient practice of medicine concerned with young people. Its modern form developed through the combination of Greek paedion, meaning a child, and iatros, meaning a physician or healer. The English medical term became established in the early modern period, and later produced forms such as paediatric, paediatrician, pediatric, and pediatrician.
Related word forms
How paediatrics is actually used
Paediatrics is the standard spelling in British English and many international contexts; pediatrics is the usual spelling in American English. It is normally used as an uncountable singular noun referring to the speciality or academic field, though it may also refer informally to the clinical area.
Easily confused with paediatrics
Paediatrics and pediatrics are the same medical speciality, with paediatrics used in British English and pediatrics used in American English.