Pediatrics is a branch of medical science that deals with the health of children from birth to young adult. It covers a wide range of health services from preventive medical care to diagnosis and treatment of various forms of acute and chronic pediatric diseases. To keep your children healthy, you should visit a family clinic in Nashville such as Cape Sierra Family Clinic.
Pediatric Healthcare Services
Children “well-exams” (pediatric healthcare) helps to ensure your child’s well being as well as catch any development issues, proper growth metrics and help prevent any illness from developing into a more serious issue.
Should something be found, a plan can be created to either eliminate or minimize the problem. Early detection of problems is the key to finding a way to stopping the problem from becoming something worse, if possible.
Medical clinics in Nashville such as Cape Sierra Family Clinic, provide various pediatric care services, such as:
Annual Physicals
During physical exams, your healthcare professionals at Cape Sierra Family Clinic will check the health condition of your child to ensure proper growth and development by:
- Reviewing medical history – medical history is very important in establishing patterns and predicting future problems. Your healthcare professional at Cape Sierra Family Clinic will ask you questions about your medical history (mother and father, grandparents) to see what possible genetic problems your child could face in the future.
- Physical development – Your child’s height and weight will be compared to a standard chart that based on human history can help indicate proper growth and/or any possible problems.
- Physical exam – As with your (the adult) annual physical (which you too should have one) the child’s pediatric doctor will do the standard health checks – heart, lungs, abdomen, vision, hearing, temperature, blood pressure, etc.
- Vaccinations – any age appropriate vaccinations, especially against deadly diseases, will be discussed and provided.
Should there be any unexpected results, further tests may be suggested/required.
Well-Baby Checkups
Your baby’s growth and development may be considered even more important than an adolescent since the baby cannot talk and provide insight into any problems they may be having.
Usually the first exam will be conducted within 3-5 days after your baby’s birth. Ideally, the checkups should be conducted every 2-4 months within the first year.
Doctors at pediatric healthcare clinics in Nashville will perform an in-depth check of your baby, including:
- Head – Your pediatric healthcare professional will check the shape of your baby’s head and fontanels (space between the bones of the skull) for proper growth.
- Eyes – doctors will usually look for blockage in tear ducts and use an ophthalmoscope to look inside your baby’s eyes. They will also use a bright object or flashlight to get your baby’s attention, so they can monitor their eye’s movements as well as neurological function.
- Ears – checking your baby’s auditory response to various sounds and use an otoscope to check the presence of any infection or accumulation of fluids in your baby’s ears.
- Mouth – A search for “thrush” (an infection most commonly found in babies) will usually be done. Thrush is not usually a major concern and can be treated with the help of medication. In older babies doctors will look for signs of teething.
- Heart &Lungs – The standard check for heartbeats and breathing patterns of your baby to ensure they are not experiencing any difficulties.
- Abdominal area – Gently pushing on the abdominal areas to feel for any form of enlarged organs or tenderness.
- Joints – They will usually also check the joints to ensure that there is no instability or dislocation.
Immunizations or Vaccinations
Another important aspect of pediatric healthcare are immunizations/vaccinations. Protecting your child from various health complications including Pneumonia, Measles, Mumps & Rubella, Influenza & many others is necessary to help your child stay safe and healthy. You can find vaccination schedules for babies, preteens, and teens at any medical clinic in Nashville.
Cape Sierra Family Clinic is your medical clinic in Nashville that offers pediatric healthcare services for your children. Learn more about their services at their website: https://www. capesierrafamilyclinic.com. You can also visit their healthcare clinic at 5630 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 or call them at 615.396.8997.
