Children grow and change quickly. Regular visits with a pediatrician help families understand those changes and make sure children receive the care they need at every stage.
Pediatric care is not only for when a child is sick. Well-child visits give families time to ask questions, discuss concerns and plan for the months ahead.
Track Growth and Development
During a well-child visit, the care team may check your child’s height, weight, vision, hearing and physical development.
Your pediatrician may also ask about:
- Movement and coordination
- Speech and communication
- Learning and school
- Eating and sleeping
- Behavior and emotions
- Relationships with family and friends
Every child develops at a different pace. Regular visits help the provider understand your child’s individual growth over time.
Find Health Concerns Early
Some health concerns do not have clear symptoms at first. Routine visits allow the care team to screen for possible concerns and follow changes from one appointment to the next.
Finding a concern early may give families more options for treatment, support or referral to another healthcare professional.
Keep School and Activity Forms Current
Schools, child care programs and sports teams may require physical exams, health forms or immunization records.
Scheduling these visits before a deadline can give your family enough time to complete forms and address any follow-up needs. Bring all required paperwork to the appointment.
Get Care When Your Child Is Sick
A pediatrician can diagnose and treat many common childhood illnesses and minor injuries. Depending on your child’s needs, same-day or next-day appointments may be available.
Having an established pediatric care team means the provider can review your child’s health history when a new concern comes up.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Ask Questions Without Judgment
Parenting comes with many questions. A pediatric visit is a good time to ask about feeding, sleep, toilet training, behavior, school, puberty or other concerns.
Writing down your questions before the appointment can help you remember what you want to discuss.
Older children and teens may also benefit from having time to ask their own health questions.
Pediatric Care at PHC
Primary Health Care provides pediatric care for newborns, children and teens at multiple locations in Central Iowa. Services may include:
- Newborn and infant care
- Well-child visits
- Sick visits
- School and sports physicals
- Developmental screenings
- Immunizations
- Care for ongoing health conditions
- Referrals and care coordination
PHC accepts Iowa Medicaid and most private insurance plans. A sliding fee discount may be available based on household income and family size. Interpreter services are available at no cost to patients.
To schedule your child’s appointment, call (515) 248-1600 or visit our pediatric care page.