The Growth and Development of a Specialty: The History of Pediatrics

Spanning less than two centuries, pediatrics is a relatively young medical specialty. Prior to the development of pediatrics, the medical needs of infants and children were provided by families, friends, and midwives; physicians rarely contributed to the health of this population. However, events beginning in the 19th century resulted in the development of physicians who specifically addressed the medical problems of infancy and childhood; thus the pediatric specialty was born. This article presents a summary of the cumulative forces responsible for the development of pediatrics as a distinct branch of medical practice.