Pediatrics & Vaccine VFC Program

A well-baby visit is when you take your baby to the doctor to make sure they’re healthy and developing normally. This is different from other visits for sickness or injury. At a well-baby visit, the doctor or nurse can help catch any problems early, when they may be easier to treat.

Routine care is regular health care. It includes preventive care, also called wellness or well care. It helps your child stay healthy and helps keep you from getting sick. Preventive care includes regular checkups and health education and counseling.

Some pediatricians’ schedules will vary slightly, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies get checkups at birth, 3 to 5 days after birth and then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months.  Once they pass the flurry of infant visits and immunizations, children should visit the doctor annually from age 3 to age 21 for well-child visits unless they have a health issue or complication.

For pediatricians, depending on the age of your child, annual screening can include:

• Measure height and weight (and head circumference during infancy)
• Examine the eyes and ears and check vision and hearing
• Check body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing
• Watch your child walk to assess their gait and coordination
• Carry out a routine examination of the heart, lungs, and internal organs
• Check joints, reflexes, flexibility, and strength
• Check skin health
• Do a scoliosis exam to check for curvature of the spine.

Common screening tests can include:

• Eye exams and vision screenings.
• Hearing screenings – if your child has a suspected hearing deficit, formal testing by an audiologist may be necessary.
• Hemoglobin blood test to check for anemia (iron deficiency).
• Urinalysis to check for infections, kidney problems, and diabetes.
• Lead exposure blood testing for children considered at risk (recommendations vary by state).
• Testing for sickle cell disease (if not done as part of neonatal screening).
• Blood cholesterol screening test (to help assess your child’s risk of future heart disease).
• Tuberculosis screening testing using a skin test or blood test (if your child is at risk or has been exposed to tuberculosis).
• Routine laboratory screening (using urine, rectal, cervical, pharyngeal, or urethral specimens) for common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Indicated yearly for all sexually active adolescents.
• HIV screening for all adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 years and annual screening for those at increased risk of HIV infection.
• Screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Those at increased risk of HCV infection should be tested yearly.

Sick visits are visits to your pediatrician that you schedule in order to address new or worsening symptoms or health complications. Typically, you schedule a sick visit to address an acute condition or injury. Pediatricians provide preventive care and also diagnose and treat infections, injuries and diseases. Examples of such chronic conditions include, but are not limited to diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, metabolic disorders, and organ transplants.

A physical examination will be performed, and any necessary tests will be ordered. Your child may be prescribed medication or given referrals for follow-up care, depending on the diagnosis. In some cases, our providers may recommend that your child be seen by a specialist.

Most follow-up visits after discharge are just a check up to see how the patient is doing and ensure there aren’t any complications. It’s also a great time to talk to your pediatrician about anything else or ask questions, especially if it’s been a while since the last appointment