The well-child physical exam is one of the most important tools your pediatrician uses to determine if your child is healthy and developing properly. It’s also a great opportunity for parents and providers to exchange information on the children’s behaviors, health concerns, school progress, and more.
Let’s look at how your pediatrician conducts an in-office physical exam and where you can go for a pediatric physical exam in Tuckahoe, NY.
A Check of Your Child’s Growth, Development, and Vital Signs
Your pediatrician will assess your child’s general appearance–posture, skin, communication skills–and measure vital signs, height, weight, head circumference (for infants), and more. Most pediatric examinations include a basic hearing and vision assessment, too. Your child’s statistics and other health information will be charted, and percentiles will be calculated for comparison with other youngsters of the same gender and age.
A Head-to-Toe Medical Assessment
The physician will inspect ears, nose and throat, reflexes, abdomen, skin, signs of puberty, and muscular development. She will review your child’s medical history and family history, too, to ensure development is within normal limits.
At our office, we offer onsite blood work and urine testing. We screen young patients for lead toxicity and check for metabolic disorders, inherited diseases and syndromes, and more.
Discussion of Health-related Goals, Vaccinations,and Other Areas of Concern
For parents and older children, the pediatric physical exam presents a wonderful opportunity to discuss areas of concern regarding health, school, home life, and management of any ongoing medical issues. Your child’s doctor will discuss safety issues pertinent to the child’s age–car seats, bike helmets, screen time, sports safety, and more as appropriate.
If you have documents regarding sports, club, or daycare participation for the pediatrician’s signature, these can also be taken care of at this time. Remember that your pediatrician provides a medical home for your child–the place for treatment of both acute and chronic illnesses, injuries, health education, referral to specialists (orthopedic physicians, learning specialists, or mental health providers as examples), and advocacy with the school if necessary.
Also, you’ll receive refills on routine medications and strategize treatment plans for chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, eczema, and others. Your child will receive updated vaccines as needed. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics both publish vaccination schedules with the type, dosage, and treatment intervals for immunizations against numerous communicable diseases, such as the flu, tetanus, HPV, measles, and others.
Child Physical Exams in Tuckahoe, NY
At Village Pediatric Group, we have four board-certified pediatricians on staff: Drs. McGowan, Bellevue, Hughes, and Kumasresan, who are dedicated to total health and wellness for children, teens, and young adults from infancy through age 21. Our medical practice is happy to partner with parents in the privilege of raising a family.
If it’s time for a physical exam for your son or daughter, please call us at (914) 771-7070 or request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you and your child.
