Well Child Exam
What is a well-child exam?
Well-child exams at Kids Central Pediatrics are health exams your child’s pediatrician completes to ensure they stay healthy. The exam helps detect medical issues before serious complications arise. Your child’s doctor also makes sure they are growing and developing normally. If not, your pediatrician might refer your child to a specialist to help them thrive.
How often should I schedule a well-child exam?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends scheduling well-child exams when your child is:
- One month
- Two months
- Four months
- Six months
- Nine months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- Three years old and annually after that
Your pediatrician might suggest more frequent visits if your child has a medical condition requiring routine monitoring.
What happens during well-child exams?
Pediatricians at Kids Central Pediatrics educate you about your baby, child, or teen, and what to expect between visits. When you arrive at a well-child exam, your pediatric specialist weighs your child and measures their height (and head circumference in babies). They check your child’s temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs.
Your pediatrician uses a special chart to track your child’s growth over time. They ask questions about your child’s development, behavior, and signs or symptoms of diseases and illnesses. Your doctor completes a comprehensive physical exam by evaluating your child’s eyes, ears, nose, throat, breathing, heart rate, abdomen, reflexes, limbs, and genitals.
They may check their speech, vision, or hearing and use blood tests to detect certain medical problems. Kids Central Pediatrics providers also offer vaccinations during well-child exams.
Will my child require treatment?
Attending a well-child exam doesn’t mean your child will require treatment. However, if they are ill, have an acute or chronic disease, or exhibit delays in growth or development, your doctor can treat their condition or refer out to a specialist, such as a speech therapist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist, if necessary.
To be proactive about your child’s health and wellness, and gain peace of mind, schedule a well-child exam at Kids Central Pediatrics over the phone or online today.
Check out this great resource from helpmommy.com on Well Visits: https://helpmommy.com/category/kids-health/well-visits/