What does pediatrics mean?
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness in children and adolescents. A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in this field, caring for patients from infancy through the teenage years, when many medical problems are specific to childhood or involve growth and development. The term covers both routine care, such as checkups and vaccinations, and the treatment of acute or chronic conditions affecting young people. In American English it is spelled pediatrics, while British English generally uses paediatrics. The word is useful because it identifies a distinct area of medicine in which knowledge of normal development, family circumstances, and age-appropriate treatment is especially important.
nounThe branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses and injuries in children, from infancy through adolescence.
- The medical specialty concerned with the health care of children and adolescents.
"The pediatrician specializes in pediatrics, focusing on the health and development of children."
"She completed her training in pediatrics at a children's hospital."
"The book offers practical advice for parents navigating common childhood illnesses and developmental concerns."
Usually singular in modern usage, especially when referring to the medical specialty; the same form may also be used in the plural.
"The lecture was on advances in pediatrics."
Pediatrics takes its name from Greek roots meaning “child” and “healer,” a fitting label for the branch of medicine devoted to the youngest patients.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pediatrics come from?
The word comes from Greek, combining pais, meaning “child,” with iatros, meaning “physician” or “healer.” It developed in the 19th century as the name of the medical field devoted to children. The same Greek roots are reflected in pediatric, pediatrician, and pediatrist; the British spelling paediatrics reflects the usual British retention of the Greek-root form with ae.
Related word forms
How pediatrics is actually used
The spelling pediatrics is standard in American English, while paediatrics is the usual form in British English and other varieties influenced by British spelling. The word is normally used as the name of a medical specialty and is commonly treated as a singular mass noun.