Leading Childhood Pediatric Doctors in Northern & Central New Jersey Advocate Annual Child Physicals
Primary Care Partners employs over thirty devoted, skilled, experienced, and board-certified pediatric doctors who do annual physicals. Our exceptional team of doctors offers various childhood healthcare services, covering multiple physical and mental health areas.
Today, our doctors want to discuss the importance of an annual childhood physical.
What Is an Annual Childhood Physical?
Most schools across the United States require several different types of childhood physicals. Pediatric doctors also require annual well-child checkups or milestone checks for specific ages. Each type (school, sports, and annual physicals) serves its purpose. Our focus today is on a yearly physical.
Annual childhood physicals are scheduled until age twenty-one. The focus of this physical is to track your child's wellness. As indicated, physical status, behavioral and emotional health, growth and development, and mental health require an assessment process.
What to Expect in a Yearly Physical
Primary Care Partners reviews your child's health history and does a head-to-toe, noninvasive exam for annual physicals. Depending on the child's age, your doctor may or may not do the following:
- Blood pressure, height, weight, and head circumference
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat exam (vision and hearing)
- Heart and lung sounds
- Assessment of posture, gait, and balance
- Bowel sounds
- Examine joints, reflexes, body flexibility, and strength
- Skin check
- Scoliosis exam
- Review and update immunizations
- Behavior assessment
This physical is the time for you to ask questions and voice concerns regarding growth and development.
Depending on the outcome of this physical, your doctor may need to do a referral, order additional tests (limitless), or start a treatment process to manage the child's care efficiently, depending on their age and other factors.
These standard and additional tests or referrals could include the following:
- Hearing audiologist referral
- Hemoglobin blood test
- Urinalysis test
- Diabetic screening
- Lead exposure as indicated
- Sickle cell disease testing
- Cholesterol screening
- TB testing
- Cervical/STD tests as appropriate
- HIV screening for ages fifteen to eighteen
- Hepatitis C yearly
Behaviors may necessitate possible screening tests for ASD, mental health, ADD, ADHD, and autism if your child shows any signs of these conditions.
We are proactive and believe in preventing illness. We uncover underlying health conditions and developmental disorders that require immediate intervention and treatment before they gain a foothold in your child's life.
If you seek a quality pediatric doctor in Northern & Central New Jersey, access the Primary Care Partners website to schedule your child's annual physical. Our pediatric doctors are awaiting your child's planned visit. Please visit our “Meet Our Providers” page to schedule your next visit.