AGE LIMITS OF PEDIATRICS

TLDR

Pediatrics is defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics as practice from birth to adolescence, typically ending between ages 16 and 18, with scope extending from conception through 21 years. The study aimed to update and formalize the American Academy of Pediatrics’ age limits for pediatric practice, resulting in an official policy statement. The update was carried out by the Council on Pediatric Practice, which consulted the Council on Child Health and the Committee on Youth, leading to an approved policy statement.

Abstract

In 1938 the American Academy of Pediatrics took formal action and defined the age limits of pediatric practice as follows (Journal of Pediatrics, 13:127 and 13:266, 1938): The practice of pediatrics begins at birth and extends well into adolescence and in most cases it will terminate between the sixteenth and eighteenth year of life. In 1969, the Council on Pediatric Practice asked the Executive Board to up date this statement, and the Executive Board referred it to the Council on Child Health. After extensive review of several statements proposed by the Committee on Youth, the Council on Child Health recommended the following statement, which has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Academy for publication as official policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. PEDIATRICS The purview of pediatrics includes the growth, development, and health of the child and therefore begins in the period prior to birth when conception is apparent. It continues through childhood and adolescence when the growth and developmental processes are generally completed. The responsibility of pediatrics may therefore begin during pregnancy and usually terminates by 21 years of age.