Specialists in pediatrics are the cornerstone of a children's hospital. Historically, children were cared for by adult practitioners and viewed as mini-adults. But a pediatric radiologist knows that a toddler's body structure must be analyzed on the basis of future growth patterns. A pediatric surgeon must be skilled in the use of instruments and delicate procedures scaled to a child's anatomy. A pediatric neurologist "reading" an electroencephalograph recognizes what is developmentally correct for a premature baby.
Even before a baby is born or conceived, couples consult the hospital's geneticists. Is there congenital risk for Downs Syndrome, sickle cell disease or other abnormalities? Screening is encouraged when the fetus might be affected by environmental factors such as medications, viral infections and radiation.
An impressive roster of pediatricians on the full-time and voluntary staff covers all disciplines. Many come from the world's leading pediatric institutions and medical school facilities. They bring with them accomplishments in research, teaching and clinical care. They chose Schneider Children's Hospital because, in only a few years, it has earned an enviable reputation of excellence.
The spirit underlying this high quality of health care is, in the words of one pediatrician, that, "We really like children. We take the time to explain things to them and earn their trust."
