Paediatrics in the XX century

Abstract

This is an editorial about the end of the twentieth century, with its seamless merging into the twenty first century, and a new millennium, is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the achievements in pediatrics over the last hundred years or so, and also perhaps hazard a guess at the expected developments in the twenty first century. The foundations of medical sciences were mainly laid during the preceding century or two, and after millennia of care of children by doctors who also cared for adults, the special needs of children were slowly but surely recognised, especially during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The emphasis has been on regarding the problems in the care of the child, especially the newborn baby, as needing special care and attention.