Pediatric surgeons are primarily concerned with the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of surgical problems in children, and they operate on children whose development ranges from the newborn stage through the teenage years.

What does a pediatric surgeon do?

Pediatric surgeons are primarily concerned with the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of surgical problems in children, and they operate on children whose development ranges from the newborn stage through the teenage years. Some medical conditions in newborns are not compatible with a good quality of life unless these problems are corrected surgically. Pediatric surgeons cooperate with all of the specialists involved in a child's medical care to determine whether surgery is the best option for the child. Pediatric surgery focuses on providing surgical care for all problems or conditions affecting children that require surgical intervention, and they may also have particular expertise in the following areas of responsibility: neonatal, prenatal, trauma and pediatric oncology. Pediatric surgery residency (2-year term) is available to those who have completed general surgery residency.