Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties within Chinese medicine and dates from the early first millennium. Books written over 1,800 years ago contain chapters specifically related to pediatrics. Qian Yi was one of the earliest and most famous Chinese pediatric specialists and he lived in the Song Dynasty (approximately 900-1,000 years ago). Qian Yi wrote the first book solely devoted to pediatrics in Chinese medical literature. This doctor pointed out the unique characteristics of infants and young children and he introduced new methods of diagnosis and treatment based on those characteristics.

From birth to adulthood, infants are under constant growth and development. They are physically and functionally different from adults, for they have their own characteristics and laws. The younger they are, the more distinct these characteristics and laws will be. Therefore infants can never be regarded as the epitome of the adults. Doctors of past dynasties had made detailed discussions on the physiological characteristics.

Their discussions can be summarized in the following two aspects: delicate zang-fu organs and underdeveloped physique and qi, vigorous vitality and rapid development. A full recognition of the physiological characteristics of the infants is helpful for understanding the developing rules of the infants, health care and diagnosis of diseases.

As doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of our greatest achievements is the ability to provide relief for children suffering with illnesses. By using the TCM theories and treatments that have been established over the past 2,000 years, we regularly accomplish this goal. Including the health complaints of children, Chinese medicine provides great insight to many health problems that have not been satisfactorily addressed by modern western medicine.