paediatrics (peed-i-at-riks) n. the general medicine of childhood. Handling the sick child requires detailed knowledge of genetics, obstetrics, psychological development, management of handicaps at home and in school, and effects of social conditions on child health. See also child health clinic.
—paediatric adj. —paediatrician (peed-i-ă-trish-ăn) n.

paediatrics Medical speciality devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury in children. Specialists in this field require a thorough knowledge not only of a wide range of conditions peculiar to children, but also of normal childhood development and the ways in which it may affect treatment and recovery.