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Paediatric cardiology

Paediatric cardiologists treat patients of all ages with congenital heart disease, in addition to rare cardiac conditions that develop during childhood, and inherited or genetic heart disease. They cover a wide age range, from fetus stage to adults.

Even though paediatric cardiology is a highly specialist area, there is great diversity within it, from highly technical work treating patients in the catheter laboratory to the ultrasound diagnosis and subsequent management of a fetus with a complex heart problem, and much in between. Despite the spectrum of work, all paediatric cardiologists need highly developed communication skills in order to work effectively and compassionately with patients and families affected by a complex heart problem.

Being a diverse specialty dealing with patients of all ages, paediatric cardiology crosses a number of traditional medical boundaries. Entry into training in the specialty is possible for both paediatric and adult medical trainees and the administration of training is through the Royal College of Physicians, although there are strong links with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.