Ian Powell 
Pediatrics 
An Approach to Independent Learning

Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics or pediatrics) is the branch of medicine that involves the medicalcare of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people beunder pediatric care up to the age of 21. A medical doctorwho specializes in this area is known as apediatrician, or paediatrician. The field of pediatrics recognizes classic stages in growth anddevelopment, but these are artificial since a child’s growth and development constitute a continuum. Asmedical practitioners involved in Pediatrics we all have the responsibility of taking care of children. It isour responsibility to protect them from a variety of dangers, including, but not limited to, interruptionsduring pregnancy, genetic anomalies, perinatal injuries, congenital defects, malnutrition, environmental diseases, infections, poverty, traumas, violence, and exploitation. This book is aimed atproviding medical undergraduates with a solid grounding on the diseases, management and care ofinfants and children while also addressing the needs of and problems faced by today’s adolescents.