Well Child Office Visits
Well-child visits are designated and scheduled to help children grow into healthy adults. Keeping the well child well is one of the major goals of pediatrics. A well-child visit includes monitoring of growth and development, early detection of illness through screening and laboratory tests, immunizations, parental guidance and counseling, and, of course, getting to know one another. It is your opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns that you may have. Lydig Pediatrics follows the well child check schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Bright Futures Guidelines.
- 3-5 days visit
- 1 month visit
- 2 month visit
- 4 month visit
- 6 month visit
- 9 month visit
- 12 month visit
- 18 month visit
- 24 month visit
- 30 month visit
- 3 year visit
- continue with annual physical unless recommended otherwise (for children with chronic illnesses)
What to expect at your Well-Child Office Visits:
Newborn (usually while in the hospital, otherwise 1st office visit as early as possible for home or birth center delivery): initial history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), hearing test, developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, heart defect screening, risk assessment for elevated blood pressure and vision problem, blood test for bilirubin, newborn blood screen, immunization (Hepatitis B 1st dose), ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE for parents.
3-5 Days Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, newborn blood screening follow up, risk assessment for hearing, vision, and blood pressure problem, immunization (Hepatitis B 1st dose, if was not given at birth), anticipatory guidance.
2 Week Visit: may be recommended for weight check up
1 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, newborn blood screening follow up, risk assessment for hearing, vision, and blood pressure problem, as well as assessment of risk factors for tuberculosis, anticipatory guidance.
2 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, newborn blood screening follow up, risk assessment for hearing, vision, and blood pressure problem, immunization (Hepatitis B 2nd dose, DTaP #1, Rotavirus #1, Hib #1, Pneumococcal #1, Polio #1 ), anticipatory guidance.
4 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, ANEMIA, and blood pressure problem, immunization (DTaP #2, Rotavirus #2, Hib #2, Pneumococcal #2, Polio #2 ), anticipatory guidance.
6 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, lead exposure, tuberculosis, oral health, immunization (Hepatitis B 3nd dose, DTaP #3, Rotavirus #3, Hib #3, Pneumococcal #3, Polio #3, 1st Flu vaccine during flu season ), anticipatory guidance.
9 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, lead exposure, oral health, immunization (catch-up, 2nd Flu vaccine during flu season, if not given before), anticipatory guidance.
12 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, tuberculosis, oral health, BLOOD TESTS for anemia and lead level, immunization (varies, usually MMR, Varicella, Hep A 1st dose, 4th dose of Hib and PCV can be given, as well), anticipatory guidance.
15 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, anemia, immunization (varies, 4th dose of DTaP, Hib and PCV can be given), anticipatory guidance.
18 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, head circumference), DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, AUTISM SCREENING, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, anemia and lead exposure, oral health, immunization (varies, 4th dose of DTaP can be given, catch-up), anticipatory guidance.
24 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (length, weight, BMI, head circumference), developmental surveillance, AUTISM SCREENING, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, anemia, lead exposure, tuberculosis, dyslipidemia screening, oral health, immunization (catch-up, seasonal Flu), anticipatory guidance.
30 Month Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (height, weight, BMI), DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing, vision, blood pressure problem, anemia screening, oral health, immunization (catch-up, seasonal Flu), anticipatory guidance.
3 Year Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), vision (if the patient is uncooperative, re-screen within 6 months), developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, risk assessment for hearing problem, anemia, lead exposure, tuberculosis, oral health, immunization (catch-up, seasonal Flu), anticipatory guidance.
4 Year Visit: initial/interval history, measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), vision and hearing tests, developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, anemia, lead, tuberculosis, and dyslipidemia screening, immunization (DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella), anticipatory guidance.
Middle Childhood: 5-10 year visits:
Continue with Annual Physical unless recommended otherwise (for children with chronic illnesses)
What to expect at your visits:
Initial/interval history, measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), vision and hearing tests, developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, physical examination, anemia, lead (until 6 year of age), tuberculosis, and dyslipidemia (every other year) screening, lipid profile at 10 year of age, oral health (visit the dentist every 6 months), immunization (catch-up, HPV (Papillomavirus) series may be started at age 9 years), anticipatory guidance.
Adolescent Appointment: 11-21 year visits:
We enjoy guiding adolescents through the physical and emotional changes that make the transition to young adulthood such an exciting, but often turbulent time.
What to expect at your visits:
Initial/interval history, measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), vision test and hearing problem screening, developmental surveillance, psychosocial/behavioral assessment, Alcohol and Drug Use Assessment, Depression Screening, physical examination, anemia, tuberculosis, and dyslipidemia screening, lipid profile at 20 year of age, STI/HIV Screening (a screen for STI/HIV between 16 and 18 years), screening for cervical dysplasia at age 21, oral health (visit the dentist every 6 months), immunization (Tdap, Meningococcal vaccine at 11 year of age with a booster dose of MCV4 given at age 16 years, HPV, if not given before), anticipatory guidance.
Dosing Guide for Common “over-the-counter” Medications
If your child takes an overdose or unknown dose of any medication, call NYC Poison Control Center 212-POISONS (764-7667) or 1-800-222-1222
ACETAMINOPHEN (Most Common Brand Name: Tylenol)
Dosage: Every four (4) hours.
Please be aware that there are two liquid dosage strengths of acetaminophen. The concentrated Infants’ drops have 80 mg per 0.8 ml (dropperful) and the Children’s syrup or suspension has 160 mg per 5 ml (teaspoon). Make sure you know which strength you are using so that you can look up the dose properly.
When to use: Acetaminophen should be used to reduce fever and relieve pain. Acetaminophen has no anti-inflammatory actions.
Side effects: Acetaminophen taken at proper doses is very safe. Only if an overdose of the medication occurs is there a likelihood of any side effect. Beware - large overdoses of acetaminophen can be deadly. This medicine should be kept out of reach of your children.
*Never treat fever in an infant less than three months of age without first speaking with the physician.
Note: For Infants’ Drops, use dropper supplied with medication
IBUPROFEN (Most Common Brand Names: Motrin and Advil)
DO NOT GIVE TO INFANTS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD.
Dosage: The dosage is every 6 to 8 hours.
Please be aware that there are two liquid strengths of ibuprofen (concentrated infant drops and children’s suspension) and several strengths of tablets (chewable tablets, junior strength tablets, and adult tablets). Because of this, dosing errors are possible if you choose the wrong dosage strength. Therefore, we advise you make sure you properly look up the dose.
When to use: Ibuprofen should be used to control high fevers which are unresponsive to acetaminophen (Tylenol). It can also be used to control pain and reduce inflammation.
Side Effects: May cause stomach upset, other side effects are rare.
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen both work to relieve moderate aches and pains as well as lower almost any fever. Both come in chewable tablets and liquids, however only Tylenol comes in a suppository form. Although acetaminophen and ibuprofen accomplish the same goals, they are different chemicals so you can alternate between them or even use them together.
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen should not be given to relieve congestion or runny noses, unless it is marketed as a 'Cold Remedy'. In these cases the medicine is supplemented with some decongestants. We do not recommend these medications for children younger than 6 year of age!
CHILDREN’S BENADRYL ALLERGY LIQUID (Generic Name: Diphenhydramine) (Antihistamine)
DO NOT GIVE TO INFANTS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD.
Dosage: Every four (4) hours.
Please be aware that there is a Children’s Benadryl Liquid in pre-filled spoons.
When to use: Benadryl is an antihistamine medication which is particularly good at relieving symptoms due to upper respiratory allergies such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itching of the nose and throat, and may help coughs due to post-nasal drainage. It is also useful to treat itching due to any cause, especially with rashes due to allergy or viruses (example: Chicken Pox). Use Benadryl to treat insect bites and stings.
Side Effects: Benadryl may cause drowsiness or, less commonly, agitation or insomnia. Other side effects are rare. Several years ago it was thought that antihistamines such as Benadryl should not be given to children with asthma. This has now been disproved. Actually, it may control nasal allergies of children with asthma.
COUGH SUPPRESSANT (Most Common Brand Name: Delsym Cough Suppressant 12 hour)
DO NOT GIVE TO CHILDREN LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD.
Most cough preparations contain ingredients, such as antihistamines and decongestants, in addition to a cough suppressant which aren’t always needed. Also, if you are already giving your child other allergy medications, you may be overdosing them by using a combination cold and cough syrup. Delsym contains only a cough suppressant and is safe to give with other over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications your child may be taking.
Dosage: Every 12 hours.
When to use: Use for non-productive cough which is interfering with your child’s ability to sleep.
Side Effects: The active ingredient in medications used to suppress a cough is dextromethorphan. It is quite safe. Rarely, it has been known to cause slight drowsiness, nausea, and dizziness.
DELSYM COUGH SUPPRESSANT 12 HOUR (Dextromethorphan)
| Age |
Dosage |
| 2 year - 5 year |
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) |
| 6 year - 11 year |
1 tsp (5 ml) |
| 12 + year |
2 tsp (10 ml) |
Our Dosing Guide gives dosages for common over-the-counter medications used in children. These medications are dosed according to weight. To calculate your child’s dose, look up his or her weight in the Dosing Guide and read across to the proper dose for each medicine listed. If you do not know your child’s weight and if your child is too young to stand on bathroom scales, a simple way to determine his or her weight is to first weigh both you and your child as you hold him. Then weigh yourself alone. Subtracting these two numbers will give you a fairly accurate weight for your child. The doses listed in the Dosing Chart are standard doses which are safe for your child.
Commonly used abbreviations:
mg=milligram
tsp=teaspoon
ml=milliliter
cc=cubic centimeter
dppr=dropperful
1 cc=1 ml
1 tsp=5 cc
