Well Visit:
Please refer to our spread sheet for the frequency of visits recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics.
The preventive care will provide us with an opportunity to evaluate the child's physical, mental and emotional growth and development. This is broken down to infant through one year, early children (1-4 years), late child (5-11 years) adolescent (12-17 years) and adult (18-21).
Newborns through age 21 are required to have a complete physical examination which includes height, weight, head circumference (for infants).
We have a lab facility that can accommodate annual hemoglobin test, rapid strep test, tuberculin test, urinalysis, urine pregnancy test etc. along with screenings such a s vision , hearing, tympanogram.
Also we do limited behavioral/mental health screening for children under 8 years across five domains namely communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social. This includes autism, adhd screenings, child obesity and nutrition, etc. It is important that they be performed annually.
Since most schools and summer camps require physical exam forms to be current, it is important that physical exams need to be performed annually. Please try to call us well in advance for your child's exam.
Immunizations & Vaccinations:
As you may know, immunizations prevent a number of deadly childhood diseases, such as measles, mumps, etc. A child receives approximately 20 doses of vaccines between birth and 18 months.
Some of the vaccinations include pneumococcal, rotavirus, meningococcal, varicella, HPV, etc.
With Prevnar®, you can help protect them from certain pneumococcal bacteria that can cause serious diseases such as meningitis and bacteremia. Prevnar® is approved for use in infants and toddlers as part of the routine recommended vaccination schedule. For the vaccine schedule of previously unvaccinated older infants and children, it is important to consult your child's doctor.
RotaTeq is indicated for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children caused by the G1, G2, G3, and G4 serotypes contained in the vaccine.
Menactra vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine against meningococcal disease. Although rare, meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that includes meningitis (the inflammation of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning).
VARIVAX is indicated for vaccination against varicella (chicken pox) in individuals 12 months of age and older.
GARDASIL is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9 to 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancer, precancerous or dysplastic lesions, and genital warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
For vaccines safety and sorting out conflicting information about vaccines, please access and read the contents from the web site www.vaccine.chop.edu.
Flu Vaccination and Timing:
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and . and in rare occasions, if not treated accordingly, could be fatal Flu symptoms can include, fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches and dry cough.
In the United States, localized outbreaks that indicate the start of seasonal influenza activity can occur as early as October. However, peak influenza activity usually occurs between January and February.
Vaccination efforts should continue throughout the season, because the duration of the influenza season varies, and influenza might not appear in certain communities until February or March. We offer the influenza vaccine routinely, and continue throughout the flu season.
All children aged 6 months--8 years who have not received vaccination against influenza previously. should, if possible, receive the first dose soon after the vaccine becomes available. This practice increases the opportunity for both doses to be administered before or shortly after the onset of flu activity.
Sick Visit:
If you have spoken to the doctor during off hours, she will provide you a course of action such as medications, feeding, etc. to be carried out through the night and accommodate your child to come in as our first patient next morning.
When possible, please call early in the day if you wish your child to be seen for a sick visit. We can usually see a patient within a few hours of their phone call.
When you call for consultation or an appointment, in almost all cases, the following information will be requested:
-- Child's name, age and weight.
-- Symptoms (fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, etc.) and their duration.
-- Current activity level of the child.
-- Any medication that has been given.
-- Any prior pediatric telephone consult with our staff member or physician on the same child
New patients will receive medical record release forms to be sent to your previous pediatrician so that we may receive medical records. This will help us to determine if any further immunizations or laboratory tests need to be performed as well as the valuable historical information.
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