Age Limit of Pediatrics

TLDR

Pediatrics covers children’s physical, psychosocial, developmental, and mental health from periconception through young adulthood, yet no clear upper age limit is defined. The study argues against setting arbitrary age limits for pediatric care. Decisions to continue pediatric care should be individualized, based on patient and family preferences and the provider’s ability to meet the patient’s physical and psychosocial needs.

Abstract

Pediatrics is a multifaceted specialty that encompasses children's physical, psychosocial, developmental, and mental health. Pediatric care may begin periconceptionally and continues through gestation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Although adolescence and young adulthood are recognizable phases of life, an upper age limit is not easily demarcated and varies depending on the individual patient. The establishment of arbitrary age limits on pediatric care by health care providers should be discouraged. The decision to continue care with a pediatrician or pediatric medical or surgical subspecialist should be made solely by the patient (and family, when appropriate) and the physician and must take into account the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient and the abilities of the pediatric provider to meet these needs.