Not Sure When to See Your Pediatrician?
Knowing when your child needs to see a doctor or when to continue care at home can be a difficult decision.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should feel comfortable contacting your pediatrician.
A phone call may either reassure you or confirm your intuition that it is time to go to a pediatrician.
Your pediatrician is here to support you every step of the way. This includes any worrying symptoms of health issues.
Seeing a pediatrician for checkups and illnesses is essential for keeping your child healthy and happy.
You should see your pediatrician for various reasons, including:
When They’re Sick or Injured:
- Injury: If your child gets hurt, don’t wait. Schedule a visit with your pediatrician to treat common childhood injuries.
- Infant Fever: Any infant less than three months of age with a rectal temperature of 100.4 or more should be seen immediately.
- Fever in Children 3+: For older children, remember that the height of the fever is not as concerning as the occurring symptoms. If your child has a mild fever but appears happy, it is probably a virus and is less worrisome.
- Localized pain: If your child can localize an area of pain, such as ear pain or a sore throat that has lasted longer than three days, you should see your doctor
- Long-lasting Fever: For children older than three years, if they have a fever that has lasted longer than three days, you should see your doctor.
- Persistent or bloody vomiting or diarrhea: If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea persistently, or if there is blood in their diarrhea, you should contact their doctor.
- Dehydration Due to Illness: If your child cannot hold down enough liquids to urinate every six hours, he may be dehydrated. This may require a visit with your pediatrician.
Regular Checkups:
Vaccinations and screenings are an important part of keeping your child healthy. These can be administered during checkups.
Pediatricians track your child’s growth and development over time. They measure height, weight, and head circumference, and compare these measurements to standard growth charts. This helps identify any potential growth or developmental issues early.
Pediatricians are trained to identify potential health concerns early. Regular checkups allow them to spot signs and symptoms of health issues that might not be obvious to parents. This early detection can lead to prompt treatment and improved outcomes.
Chronic Health Conditions:
For kids with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or allergies, regular checkups are vital for management and monitoring.
Your pediatrician will track how your child responds to treatments and medication, making necessary adjustments to improve their quality of life.
Your pediatrician can provide guidance on how to adapt your child’s lifestyle. This includes diet, exercise, or avoiding triggers, to better manage the chronic condition.
Vision and Hearing Problems:
Regular vision and hearing screening are crucial for early detection of issues that could affect development.
Pediatricians typically use age-appropriate methods to evaluate a child’s vision during well-child visits. If any concerns are detected, they may refer your child to an eye specialist for more examination.
A pediatrician may use an audiometer or observe a child’s response to sounds. If hearing issues are discovered, your child may be referred to an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
You can also visit a pediatrician for treatment if your child has pink eye.
Sports and Physicals:
If your child plays sports, a sports physical ensures they are fit and healthy to participate safely.
You can discuss any specific concerns or issues related to physical activity participation. This can include previous injuries, common symptoms that arise during exercise, and medical history.
Your pediatrician will often complete and sign the necessary forms, verifying your child’s fitness to participate in sports.
Nutrition and Feeding:
If you have questions about what your child should be eating, your pediatrician can give you advice on nutrition and feeding issues.
They can identify nutritional concerns or feeding problems by tracking growth trends over time.
Allergies and Skin Conditions:
Concerned about your child’s allergies or skin problems? Your pediatrician can provide treatment and recommendations.
Medication Management:
If your child is taking medications, your pediatrician will help monitor their response. From there, they will adjust dosages and address any concerns or side effects.
Developmental Concerns:
If you have concerns about your child’s development, behavior, or growth, talk to your child’s doctor. They can offer guidance and referrals if needed.
Behavioral Issues:
For behavioral problems, emotional issues, or school-related concerns, your child’s doctor can provide advice or connect you with specialists.
Mental and Behavioral Health:
For mental health or emotional well-being concerns, consult your child’s doctor for guidance or referrals to specialists.
