Are you the parent of a small child, or planning to be? Do you sometimes feel confused about the jargon you hear at your child’s check-up? Are you trying to make sense of colds and fevers and ear infections, and figuring out how dietary changes can help as well? A pediatrician can help make sense of all this for you.
Monitor Growth
The primary focus of a pediatrician is to deliver quality care that promotes optimal growth and development in infants, children, and adolescents. The pediatrician’s role is to promote health and treat illness in children from birth to 18 years of age.
A pediatrician also provides preventive care including immunizations and screenings for various diseases such as high cholesterol or diabetes. Pediatricians also provide care for common childhood illnesses like ear infections or urinary tract infections.
Immunizations
Pediatricians recommend immunizing your child against common childhood diseases. Immunizations protect children against serious illnesses that can be life-threatening if they are not treated early.
Treat Minor Illnesses Or Injuries
Pediatricians treat common illnesses such as colds and ear infections. They also help diagnose more serious conditions that may require hospitalization or referral to a specialist. In addition to regular checkups, pediatricians often see children between scheduled visits when they have questions about their health or behavior.
Screen For Mental Health And Behavioral Disorders
Screening tools can help pediatricians determine if a child is at risk of developing a mental health or behavioral disorder. They also help identify children who need further assessment by other professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers.
Lou Hampers Screening tools are not designed to diagnose mental health and behavioral problems. But they can help identify children who may benefit from further evaluation by a professional trained in diagnosing and treating these disorders.
Perform Routine Physical Exams
Pediatricians like Lou Hampers perform routine physical exams, help diagnose illnesses, treat common childhood ailments, and provide advice on nutrition and exercise. Pediatricians also often prescribe medicine for common illnesses, such as ear infections and allergies.