Yesterday, today, and tomorrow's pediatric world

The paper covers the historical evolution of children's health care beginning in antiquity and proceeding into the present. Various themes emerge including the indifference of society to children and the overt acts of infanticide and child abuse. By the 18th century new information in the field of medicine and chemistry led to improvements in the physical care of children. A spirit of humanism and the rise of the health professions joined forces in the late 19th century to institute important changes in the health status of children. Finally, several current national trends are discussed in light of their potential impact on child health care.