Pediatric radiology is a medical science branch that diagnoses injuries, illnesses, and other problems in children and adolescents using different imaging techniques and types of equipment.
Whenever a kid falls, breaks a done, or for any other reason, would have gone through a type of imaging, the pediatric doctor will come into the picture. A pediatric radiologist will help in medical imaging and other processes, which is now a vital part of the medical industry.
Since the introduction of X-rays in 1895, non-medical imaging processes like ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, and many others have improved and undergone various reforms to see a person’s insides and hand the correct diagnosis.
Who are pediatric radiologists?
Most people think radiologists are the people who actually perform diagnostic imaging procedures. However, they are the piece of the medical imaging team specializing in handling problems related to children and adolescents and helping them find the right treatment options.
A pediatric radiologist works by referring their patient to a medical doctor, physician, or surgical specialist, depending on the intensity and nature of the case. They refer, supervise and interpret imaging findings, which is a significant part of their diagnosis. According to experts in the field, here are some of the important things people should know about pediatric radiologists do not treat kids like adults.
These experts have specialized medical training in the field, and the way to handle kids in a hospital differs drastically from how adults are treated. For example, while all radiologists have a minimum of 5 years post-graduation training, pediatric radiologists have a year extra to learn about how kids are dealt with during the imaging process. Also, the anatomy of a child’s body differs when compared to a fully grown adult. Hence it takes them an extra year to learn them.
Children should receive the lowest amount of radiation.
Throughout our lives, everyone is exposed to naturally-occurring sources of radiation, like mobile phones, the sun, and many others. However, medical imaging is the only non-natural source of radiation, and everyone, especially children, should be kept far from it.
It is because children are the most sensitive to harmful radiation at a tender age, which increases their chances of developing cancer in the later stages. Hence, pediatric radiologists take utmost care in minimizing the amount of radiation they are exposed to during the imaging process.
Pediatric radiologists are also trained to take care of kids.
Although every doctor knows about treating kids, only some pediatric doctors are trained enough to deal with a child’s diagnosis. As mentioned above, a kid’s anatomy is unique. Therefore, it takes an expert in the field to rightly identify their problem and diagnose them with the proper treatment procedures, with minimal risk to their health and wellbeing.