Well Child Exam Specialist

What is a well-child exam?

A well-child exam is an opportunity for you to track your child’s growth and development and make sure that it is happening at a normal rate. During a well-child exam at Nevada Pediatric Specialists, the team examines your child and takes note of various parameters of their health. Each well-child exam includes:

• Height and weight measurements
• Vitals check (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate)
• Vision and hearing tests
• Developmental screening
• Anemia screening
• Lead screening
• Urinalysis
• Mental health review

Throughout the exam, your child’s provider answers all of your questions about your child’s health. If they find that your child is behind in development in any way or if they identify health complications of any kind, they can address them with treatment or health education.

They might also recommend certain changes that you can implement at home, like adjusting your child’s diet or hygiene habits. 

Another important part of well-child exams is keeping up on your child’s immunizations. The team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists gives your child the immunizations they need according to the vaccine schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control.  

How is a well-child exam different from a sick visit?

A well-child exam is not the same as a sick visit. Unlike a sick visit, the goal of a well-child exam is not to address existing symptoms, illnesses, or injuries. You can bring your child in for their well-child exams while they are perfectly healthy and happy. 

The goal of a well-child exam is to track your child’s general health and well-being as they grow and develop. While it is possible for your child’s provider to find signs of illness during a well-child exam, the exam is a form of preventative care and can help reduce your child’s chances of getting sick.

For example, the team can identify and address issues like obesity and provide tests for certain diseases, like type 2 diabetes. 

When should I bring my child in for a well-child exam?

The team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists follows the schedule for well-child exams recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Well-child exams happen frequently during infancy and early childhood and become a once-a-year occurrence after age three. You should bring your child in for well-child exams at the following ages:

• 2-5 days after birth
• 2 weeks
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 1 year
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 2 years
• 30 months
• 3 years
• Annually thereafter

The team also helps you navigate the vaccine schedule and book your appointments in conjunction with it. 

If it is time for your child’s next well-child exam, request an appointment by phone or online at either Nevada Pediatric Specialists location today.