pædiatrics, n. pl. (const. as sing.) Med.
(piːdɪˈætrɪks)
Also ped-.
[f. as prec.: see -ic 2.]
The branch of medical science dealing with the study of childhood and the diseases of children.
| 1884 (periodical title) Archives of pediatrics. 1924 Glasgow Herald 10 June 6 The new foundation is the Sampson-Gemmell Chair of Medical Pædiatrics at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. 1946 Nature 24 Aug. 277/2 Geriatrics must also come to occupy a part not less important in medicine than pediatrics to-day. 1956 Ld. Amulree in A. Pryce-Jones New Outl. Mod. Knowl. 213 Infant and child welfare services are available in most civilized countries, and pediatrics and the care of children is becoming more and more a preventive service. 1975 Physics Bull. Oct. 458/1 (caption) In the field of paediatrics the x ray examination of infants and young children is a diagnostic procedure that is on the increase. |