| A person undergoes the most rapid and profound developmental changes during the younger years of life. Within months after birth, the child gains multiple motor, language, and social skills. By three years of age, the brain would have already developed to 85% of its adult size. The brain and body nevertheless continue to develop in size and complexity throughout the pre-adolescent and adolescent years.
Pediatrics focuses on the health issues surrounding children and adolescents. During development, children are more prone to certain diseases (e.g., middle ear infections, jaundice) that are less commonly found in the average adult. This demographic and the geriatric population are sometimes the hardest hit in viral epidemics due to their weaker immune systems. Certain disorders (e.g., asthma, attention deficit disorder) are generally diagnosed during the childhood years. On the other hand, children are also more resilient to certain diseases (e.g., cancer, atherosclerosis) than the older generations. Other health concerns include vaccination schedules, dietary changes, and behavioral milestones. |