Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of children up to age 18. In medical school, they complete comprehensive studies of all medical fields including anatomy, physiology, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, and emergency medicine, and they undergo clinical rotations in a hospital where they learn about different areas of medicine.
After medical school, a doctor will participate in a residency program, where they will focus on what they would like to specialize in. The first year of residency is called an internship. A physician who wants to become a pediatrician specializes in child development and growth during their residency.
Every child needs a good pediatrician to address their specific health and wellness needs, and to provide age-appropriate care. Just as adults need a primary care physician, so do children.
Let’s talk about a few of the many reasons why you would want to have your child see a pediatrician, and where you can go in The Woodlands for outstanding pediatric care.
Why Do I Need to Bring My Child to a Pediatrician?
Some of the key reasons why you would want to have your child seen by a pediatrician include the following:
For Sick Visits
Pediatricians specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating illnesses and injuries that affect pediatric patients, including:
- Fever
- Cold and flu
- Asthma and allergies
- Eczema
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Ear infections
- Sinusitis
- Stomach bug
- Mild sprains and strains
A pediatrician is also adept at identifying and treating more serious conditions whose symptoms mimic less-severe diseases, and which tend to happen in children, such as strep throat and scarlet fever.
For Preventive Healthcare and Checkups
Pediatric patients need preventive healthcare services. These include well-child exams and regular checkups, which involve examining your child from head to toe and checking for signs of health issues or deformities.
Pediatricians also provide immunizations and vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which are usually given during infancy, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The pediatrician will also recommend that your child have an annual flu shot.
The healthcare services provided at a well-child exam are very helpful in preventing your child from getting seriously sick from preventable diseases.
For Medical Monitoring of Proper Development and Growth
Every visit to the pediatrician usually entails the doctor checking your child’s height, weight, strength, and reflexes. The physician will offer feedback and guidance on developmental milestones, nutrition, sleep habits, etc.
Pediatrician in The Woodlands and Spring, TX
Our pediatricians at Northwoods Pediatric Center are here to take care of your child’s health and wellness. We provide compassionate, individualized care to each patient, and we know how to make your child comfortable coming to their doctor’s office.
We are committed to the health and well-being of your child, as you are. To schedule an appointment with one of our caring pediatricians in The Woodlands, call us today at (281) 296-7770 or fill out our convenient online request form. We look forward to helping your child thrive!
