What is the medical term for a doctor who specializes in treating children?

A doctor who specializes in treating children is called a pediatrician. Pediatricians care for infants, children, adolescents, and, in some healthcare systems, young adults. They monitor growth and development, provide vaccinations, diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and advise families about nutrition, sleep, and safety.

The word comes from Greek: pais means “child,” while iatros means “doctor” or “healer.” Pediatrics developed as a distinct medical specialty because children are not simply small adults. Their organs, immune systems, medication absorption, and emotional needs change as they grow, so diagnosis and treatment often require age-specific knowledge.

Pediatricians may work as primary-care doctors or specialize further in areas such as neonatology, pediatric cardiology, oncology, or critical care. A common mix-up is confusing a pediatrician with a geriatrician: pediatricians treat younger patients, while geriatricians focus on the health of older adults. Dermatologists specialize in skin, and cardiologists specialize in the heart and circulatory system, regardless of the patient’s age.