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This is a very broad question and difficult to answer. A pediatrician is charged with the care and well-being of neonates, infants, children and teenagers up to the age of 18, although under certain circumstances possibly up to age 22 or higher for those with chronic childhood illnesses.

In general, neonatal and infant care may include administering immunizations, minor procedures such as circumcision, and teaching parents proper techniques to take care of the child. This may include how to mix formula or making referrals to lactation consultants. Also, monitoring the growth of the child is a vital part of a pediatrician's job.

As the child gets older, most of the pediatrician's responsibilities become episodic care - seeing the child for yearly exams and physicals, and sick visits. Appropriate parental and child education still occurs, however - such as reminders to always wear seatbelts, or to continue using a child seat until the child is old or big enough to ride without one. Helmets for bike-riding and skating/skate-boarding are always popular topics in pediatrician's offices.

Adolescent care may include prescribing contraceptives, (although this is more often done through the young lady's gynecologist's office, unless used for acne) or teaching the young man/woman about safe sex practices during a visit. Also, as a child grows older, the pediatrician will begin transitioning the patient toward an adult physician, such as an Internal medicine or Family medicine physician to begin to care for them as they reach adulthood.

All this applies only to general pediatrics, and not to sub-specialist pediatricians.

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12y ago

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