Check Out Your Baby Doc

Don't assume that your pediatrician has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Parents who have a board-certified pediatrician to care for their infant can be assured that the doctor has been deemed competent and up-to-date about developments in the field. But two studies from Michigan found that parents can't assume a pediatrician recommended by their hospital or health plan has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. The studies showed that 78 percent of U.S. hospitals don't require board certification to grant privileges to pediatricians, and only 41 percent of health plans require the certification. To see if a pediatrician is board-certified, visit abp.org.