Pediatric physicians do a lot for your child. Even if he or she is currently healthy, annual visits provide them with preventive care to safeguard their delicate immune systems from future illnesses. Additionally, they allow the doctor to monitor your young one's growth, compared to others their age. Here are some reasons why these exams should be a priority.

What Does a Child’s Annual Visit to the Pediatrician Involve?

1. Vaccinations

Vaccinations help defend your child from diseases, including polio, chickenpox, and measles. They also protect other people in your community, like those with pre-existing conditions, the pregnant, or the elderly who have compromised immune systems, rendering them more vulnerable. If you have any concerns about these immunizations, bring them up to your physician, who can explain why they are necessary and what they protect your child against.

2. Health Education

Additionally, doctors can counsel kids on the benefits of a healthy diet, especially if they are reluctant to eat fruits and vegetables at home. As they grow older, this conversation will likely shift to discussing the dangers of smoking and drinking.

3. Tracking Development

While your child is still young, their physician can determine whether significant milestones are being met. This includes crawling, walking, and speech, as well as if they are putting on weight at a steady pace. If there are deficits, the earlier they’re discovered the sooner your child can begin receiving therapy or treatment. This often makes all the difference in how well a child adjusts to disabilities or delays.

4. Medical Reporting

A person’s past often informs future treatments. As such, having annual records will help ensure that your child gets the best care if an illness does strike or if you want to monitor your son's or daughter's health in light of your family's medical history.

If your child needs a pediatrician, the physicians at Brownfield Regional Medical Center of Terry County, TX, offer comprehensive medical services with a bedside manner suited to kids. And they can continue to care for your son or daughter through adulthood, offering both general and emergency care. Learn more about their offerings by visiting the website. Then schedule an appointment by calling (806) 637-3551 today.