When to see a paediatrician
Common reasons people book a consultation.
- Routine immunisation and growth monitoring
- Fever, cough or a stomach upset that is not settling
- Concerns about feeding, weight or developmental milestones
- Recurrent ear, throat or chest infections
- Adolescent health and school-related concerns
What a paediatrician does
A paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in the health of infants, children and adolescents. In India the usual training is an MBBS followed by an MD in paediatrics, a DNB, or the diploma DCH. Paediatricians look after the whole child: illness, growth, development, nutrition, vaccination and behaviour, from the newborn period into the teenage years.
Children are not small adults. Their illnesses, medicine doses and warning signs differ, and a child can become unwell quickly. A paediatrician is trained to judge how sick a child is, often from small signs, and to explain things to both parents and child. Some go on to super-specialise in newborn care (neonatology), or in children's heart, kidney, brain, lung or blood conditions.
Most families benefit from one paediatrician they return to, ideally close to home. That doctor keeps track of vaccinations and growth over years and knows what is normal for your child. The vaccination card and growth record are worth bringing to every visit. When a child needs an operation, a paediatric surgeon usually does it, working with the paediatrician.
- Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, or the skin between the ribs pulling in with each breath
- A child who is unusually drowsy, floppy, difficult to wake, or has a fit
- Signs of dehydration: very few wet nappies, no tears, a dry mouth, or sunken eyes
- A rash that does not fade when pressed, or a swollen, painful groin or scrotum: call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department
Conditions paediatricians treat
Fever and common infections
Colds, coughs, ear and throat infections, and seasonal fevers such as dengue and malaria.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Usually viral; the main risk is dehydration, which needs close watching in young children.
Chest infections and wheezing
Bronchiolitis in infants, pneumonia, and asthma in older children.
Growth and weight concerns
Children who are not gaining weight or height as expected, or who are gaining too fast.
Developmental delay
Late walking, talking or other milestones; early assessment helps.
Newborn problems
Jaundice, feeding difficulties and weight gain in the first weeks.
Anaemia and nutrition
Iron deficiency and other nutritional problems common in Indian children.
Skin rashes and allergies
Eczema, hives and food allergies.
Behaviour and adolescent health
Sleep, attention, school difficulties and the changes of puberty.
Tests and procedures you may come across
Growth charts
Height, weight and head size plotted over time, which shows far more than a single measurement.
Developmental screening
Checks of movement, speech, play and social skills against expected milestones.
Vaccination review
Checking the vaccination card and planning due and missed doses.
Blood tests
Blood count, and tests for infections, anaemia or other problems when needed.
Urine tests
An important check for infection in young children with an unexplained fever.
Chest X-ray and ultrasound
Used when a chest infection or an abdominal problem needs a closer look.
Newborn screening
Tests after birth for certain conditions, including hearing checks, that are easier to treat when found early.
Paediatrician or another specialist?
The nearest neighbouring specialities, and when each is the right door.
Before your first visit
- Bring the vaccination card, the growth record, and any earlier prescriptions or reports, including the birth or discharge summary for a young baby.
- Note the child's temperature readings, how much they are drinking, how many wet nappies or visits to the toilet, and any change in activity.
- List any medicines already given, with the amounts and times.
- Bring a favourite toy or snack, and let an older child answer some questions themselves. Adolescents may appreciate part of the visit on their own.
- Expect the child to be weighed and measured and examined. Tell the doctor what worries you most, even if it seems small.
Qualifications and registration to check
Registered with the National Medical Commission or a state medical council. The number can be searched on the NMC's Indian Medical Register. Every profile on The Doctor Index shows the registration number and says whether it has been checked against the register.
Degrees you will see on paediatricians' profilesHow to check a registrationQuestions about seeing a paediatrician
Up to what age does a paediatrician see children?
Paediatricians usually see children from birth into the teenage years. Many continue to see adolescents until they are ready to move to an adult doctor.
Should every fever be seen by a doctor?
Not every fever needs a visit, but a doctor should see a young baby with any fever, a fever that lasts more than a couple of days, or a child who seems very unwell, drowsy or is not drinking.
What if my child has missed some vaccinations?
Missed vaccinations can usually be caught up. Take the vaccination card to your paediatrician, who will plan the remaining doses.
What qualifications should a paediatrician have?
An MBBS and a postgraduate qualification in paediatrics, such as MD, DNB or the diploma DCH. Registration should be on the NMC's register or a state medical council register.
My child is behind with speech. When should I worry?
Children develop at different speeds, but if your child is clearly behind others of the same age or has lost skills they had, see a paediatrician. Early assessment and support make a difference.
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Written by The Doctor Index on 27 Sep 2026. The summary at the top was medically reviewed on 12 Aug 2026; the rest of this page has not yet been reviewed by a clinician. General information, not advice about your own situation.