What is Paediatrics?

Paediatrics is not the list of signs and symptoms that is listed in the textbooks or in an online database. It is a young child that suffers from what was described on that list. This child is dependent on adults; such as parents, grand-parents or others who love them, see to their needs and provide comfort for them. These adults in turn, reside in the context of relatives, communities, cultural and religious beliefs. A bigger circle will be the country they reside in, the standard of medical care and the availability of such care. Each of these factors affect the little chap who manifest these signs and symptoms that you have memorised. This little child has a name which is not a hospital bed number nor is it the name of a disease. He or she looks to you, with your evident-based medical knowledge, experienced clinical practices, and refined clinical acumen for help. They want to have relief from their sufferings so that they can get on with their business of growing up. Paediatrics is not about treating diseases. Paediatrics is about relationships.