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. Florida has 3,039 practicing pediatricians. Broken out by city, pediatrics doctor density in Alachua is 2, in Altamonte Springs is 21, in Apopka is 32, in Aventura is 21, in Bartow is 13, in Bay Harbor Islands is 5, in Belleview is 6, in Boca Raton is 65, in Bonita Springs is 14, in Boynton Beach is 32, in Bradenton is 37, in Brooksville is 14, in Cape Coral is 44, in Clearwater is 34, in Clermont is 14, in Cocoa is 7, in Cooper City is 7, in Coral Gables is 43, in Coral Springs is 55, in Davenport is 9, in Daytona Beach is 16, in Deerfield Beach is 1, in Dunnellon is 1, in Fort Lauderdale is 95, in Fort Myers is 70, in Fort Pierce is 18, in Fort Walton Beach is 12, in Gainesville is 161, in Gulf Breeze is 10, in Hialeah is 92, in Hollywood is 95, in Homestead is 28, in Jacksonville is 237, in Jacksonville Beach is 25, in Jay is 1, in Jupiter is 34, in Kissimmee is 35, in Lady Lake is 3, in Lake City is 31, in Lake Mary is 28, in Lake Placid is 3, in Lake Worth is 28, in Lakeland is 52, in Largo is 42, in Leesburg is 11, in Live Oak is 4, in Longwood is 25, in Macclenny is 9, in Maitland is 17, in Margate is 15, in Melbourne is 33, in Miami is 424, in Miami Beach is 20, in Milton is 15, in Naples is 50, in New Port Richey is 41, in North Miami is 6, in North Miami Beach is 36, in Oakland Park is 4, in Ocala is 25, in Ocoee is 12, in Okeechobee is 9, in Oldsmar is 6, in Orange City is 17, in Orange Park is 22, in Orlando is 227, in Ormond Beach is 12, in Oviedo is 21, in Palatka is 12, in Palm Bay is 9, in Palm Beach Gardens is 28, in Palm Coast is 10, in Panama City is 9, in Pembroke Pines is 71, in Pensacola is 57, in Pinellas Park is 29, in Plantation is 64, in Pompano Beach is 40, in Rockledge is 16, in Sarasota is 57, in Sebastian is 3, in Seminole is 19, in South Miami is 12, in Stuart is 10, in Sunrise is 26, in Tallahassee is 36, in Tamarac is 11, in Tampa is 212, in Tarpon Springs is 6, in Tavares is 7, in Titusville is 6, in Venice is 12, in Vero Beach is 10, in West Palm Beach is 75, in Weston is 28, in Wewahitchka is 1, in Wilton Manors is 1, in Winter Haven is 22, in Winter Park is 12, and in Zephyrhills is 16.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.