Pediatrics is the treatment of disorders and diseases in infants, children and adolescents. A pediatrician is primarily concerned with the influence of disease and dysfunction on a child’s development, from preventive care to treatment of diseases. This specialist has background knowledge regarding congenital defects, immunology, oncology, infectious diseases, immunizations, and disorders that are unique to children.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Guillain-Barrè Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, allergies, pink eye, Snoring, Scabies, Autism, Hypothyroidism, epilepsy, Leukemia, Asthma, lymphoma, chickenpox, Cushings Disease, Crohns Disease, Encopresis, Infant Reflux, measles, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and skin rash.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Circumcision, Tonsillectomy, Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA) repair, Appendectomy, Adenoid Removal, Umbilical Hernia Repair, Leg Lengthening, Inguinal Hernia Repair, Hydrocele Repair, Hypospadias Repair, Ear Tubes, Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair, cancer surgery, Minimal Access surgery, and Club Foot Repair.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including ultrasound, MRI scan, Barium Enema, Upper GI, x-ray, video swallow, and urine / stool collections.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Illinois has 2,843 practicing pediatricians. Broken out by city, pediatrics doctor density in Taylorville is 3, in Tinley Park is 28, in Toledo is 1, and in Tuscola is 8.

Most people think that Chicago, because of its size and popularity, is Illinois’ capital city, but that distinction belongs to Springfield, home of the Abraham Lincoln Museum. Illinois has hundreds of museums, numerous yearly art and ethnic festivals, a lakeshore bordering Lake Michigan, and the many national forests and parks that offers visitors camping, horseback riding, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Chicago is home to the Sears Tower, the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and other cultural opportunities and restaurants in the Navy Pier area.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Illinois has a population of 12,763,371. Of this population, 3,172,677 are under the age of 18 and 1,523,937 are at or above the age of 65.