Short answer
Look for a paediatrician with a postgraduate qualification in paediatrics (MD or DNB), round-the-clock emergency cover and a NICU for newborns, good vaccination and growth records, and the time to explain things clearly. You can check any doctor’s registration on the National Medical Commission’s Indian Medical Register.
- Published
- Published by
- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Qualifications and registration
A paediatrician has an MBBS degree and a postgraduate qualification in paediatrics, such as MD or DNB. For newborn and NICU care, look for training in neonatology.
Every practising doctor must be registered with a state medical council or the National Medical Commission, and private hospitals in Andhra Pradesh must be registered with the state. Ask if you are unsure.
Emergency and newborn cover
Children fall ill at night and on holidays. Check whether the hospital has a paediatric emergency team on duty 24 hours, a paediatric ward, and a NICU for newborns, so your child does not have to be moved elsewhere in an emergency.
Vaccination and growth
A good paediatrician keeps your child’s vaccinations on schedule, records each dose on the card, and checks height, weight and development at regular visits.
Questions to ask at the first visit
- Who should I call at night or in an emergency?
- Which vaccines does my child need now, and which additional vaccines do you recommend?
- When should I bring my child for the next growth and development check?
- Which symptoms mean I should come in straight away?
Practical points
- Distance and travel time from your home, especially at night
- OPD timings and how to book: phone, WhatsApp or walk-in
- A laboratory in the same building, to avoid extra trips for tests
At Dhruva Hospitals
Paediatric and newborn care is led by Dr. Sudarshan Reddy K, MBBS, DNB Paediatrics (Apollo Hospitals, Mysore), with an IAP fellowship in neonatology from Ankura Hospital, Hyderabad. Consultations are in Telugu, English or Kannada. The hospital has a 24-hour neonatal and paediatric emergency team, a paediatric ward, a Level III NICU and an in-house laboratory, and vaccination follows the IAP schedule. Call +91 99599 59694 to book. OPD hours are 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Common questions
When should my baby first see a paediatrician?
Ideally a paediatrician checks your baby soon after birth. After that, the vaccination visits from 6 weeks are a good time for regular growth and development checks.
Is a paediatrician different from a general physician?
Yes. A paediatrician is trained specifically in the illnesses, growth, development and vaccination of children, from newborns to teenagers.
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This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.